Authorised absences from home when on sick leave

When on sick leave, it is important to follow medical advice, but it may be useful to obtain more information on permitted absences from home during this period and on the rules to follow.

In a nutshell

A sick leave has been prescribed by the doctor. On this page, it is possible to consult:

  • The hours authorised for going out;
  • The activities prohibited;
  • The administrative control procedures.

The interested party can also download the form to request authorisation to stay abroad during the period of incapacity for work, and carry out the following formalities online:

  • Declare an address for temporary residence during the period of incapacity for work;
  • Report meals taken outside the home;
  • Request an exemption from the exit hours.

Everything you need to know

The employee will be staying somewhere other than their home. How can the CNS be informed?

If the employee will be staying at an address other than their usual place of residence, whether for reasons of personal convenience or health (need for assistance, a quiet environment, accommodation without stairs, etc.), this address must be clearly indicated on the certificate of incapacity for work, specifying the place, the street, the number, the floor, and the name on the doorbell etc.

The employee wants to stay or has to go abroad, is this possible?

In theory, during incapacity for work, the country of stay cannot be different from the country of official residence.

If the employee has to or wants to stay abroad, this is only possible with prior authorisation from the CNS, which will only be granted in the following cases:

  • serious illness (e.g. cancer, stroke, severe heart failure, multiple sclerosis, etc.),
  • right to palliative care,
  • during a disability procedure,
  • in the event of the death of a close relative,
  • in the event of the birth of the employee's child abroad.

Good to know: In the event of death or birth abroad, authorisation may be requested and granted only once the event has taken place, upon presentation of the death or birth certificate.

Caisse nationale de santé
Service Contrôle et gestion des certificats d'incapacité de travail
L-2980 Luxembourg

The applicant will be notified of the exceptional authorisation or refusal of authorisation.

When can employees leave home during sick leave?

Two specific rules apply, depending whether the employee is between the 1st and 5th day, or between the 6th day and the end of their sick leave.

Eating meals

From the first day and throughout the period of incapacity, it is possible to eat a meal outside the home. The CNS must be informed in advance using an online form.

Between the 1st and 5th day

During this period, it is permitted to go out to:

  • - Attend appointments with the Social Security Medical Board;
  • - Obtain care, diagnostic acts, medicines or medical devices.

It is not compulsory to inform the CNS, but it is necessary to be able to justify absences in case of an administrative control.

From the 6th day

From the 6th day, if the doctor has specified it on the certificate of incapacity for work, it is possible to go out:

  • Between 10.00 and 12.00 in the morning
  • Between 14.00 and 18.00 in the afternoon

From the 43rd day - Derogation from the hours of exit

For incapacity for work exceeding 6 consecutive weeks, it is possible to ask the CNS for an exemption to lift certain restrictions from the 43rd day of sick leave, by filling in an online form.

What activities are employees not allowed to do?

During the period of incapacity for work, they may not:

  • - take part in sporting activities, unless medically indicated;
  • - engage in any activity incompatible with their state of health;
  • - visit a pub or a catering establishment, except to have a meal and only after having informed the CNS via the online form: 'Notification regarding taking a meal outside during sick leave'

What employees should know about administrative controls by the CNS

In order to verify that they are complying with the authorised absences from their home/address of stay, CNS a CNS control agent may come to their home (or their duly reported temporary address) between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m..

Please note!

  • This is not a medical check-up: the state of health will not be checked.
  • This check concerns residents as well as non-residents.
  • It can take place from the 1st day of incapacity.

In case of absence, the control agent will leave a notice of attendance inviting the employee to provide proof within 3 working days from the date of the inspection.

The associated procedures

Staying somewhere else than at home

It is possible to stay at an address other than your own during a sick leave (note: in the same country as the place of residence!).

If the temporary address is not indicated on the back of the sick leave certificate, it is advisable to inform the CNS using the declaration form.

Access to the declaration form

Inform the CNS of a meal taken outside

From the first day of incapacity for work, it is possible to have a meal outside the home.

The CNS must be informed in advance using the online form ‘Notification regarding taking a meal outside during sick leave’.

Access to the declaration form

Ask the CNS to lift certain exit restrictions

A period of work incapacity of more than 6 consecutive weeks may be recognised.

It is possible to ask the CNS to lift certain restrictions from the 43rd day of absence by filling in an online form.

Access to the declaration form

Need or wish to stay abroad during a sick leave

In some cases, this is only possible with prior authorisation from the CNS.

The employee can make the request using a specific application form.

Access to the declaration form

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