Netherlands leads Europe in duration of employer-paid sick leave

European countries exhibit significant differences in legal requirements for employer-funded sick pay. The Netherlands maintains a unique position in Europe, where employers are legally obligated to continue paying wages for up to 104 weeks. This payment must be at least 70 percent of the gross salary, though many collective labor agreements provide 100 percent for the first year.

In contrast, other nations impose much shorter durations on employers. In Germany, employers must pay 100 percent of wages for the first six weeks, after which statutory health insurance takes over. Belgium requires employers to pay for 30 days for certain employees before sickness funds intervene, while Sweden's employer obligation lasts only 14 days.

The United Kingdom offers a longer period of 28 weeks, but the Statutory Sick Pay is a fixed weekly amount regardless of the employee's actual salary.