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Employees looking forward to a well‑earned summer break can find their plans upended by illness. But falling sick doesn’t automatically mean losing precious vacation days. According to the Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund (ÖGB), clear rules protect workers when illness strikes during annual leave.
Illness Must Be Reported Immediately
If an employee becomes ill while on holiday, they must inform their employer without delay. There is no prescribed format: notification can be sent via email, SMS or WhatsApp—whatever is normally used in the workplace.
The ÖGB strongly recommends a written message, ensuring the notification can be proven later if needed.
When Vacation Days Are Credited Back
If the illness lasts longer than three calendar days, the affected vacation days are not consumed and are credited back to the employee’s holiday account.
Two conditions must be met:
- The illness must be reported immediately.
- A medical certificate must be submitted after returning from holiday—ideally without being asked.
Only days on which the employee would normally have worked are credited. The three‑day threshold refers to the duration of the illness, not the number of days ultimately restored.
The Holiday Does Not Automatically Extend
Even if vacation days are credited back, the holiday still ends on the originally agreed date. The unused days cannot simply be tacked onto the end of the trip.
To use the restored days, employees must arrange a new holiday agreement with their employer.
Special Rules for Illness Abroad
Employees who fall ill while travelling abroad must also provide a medical certificate.
In some cases, an additional official confirmation is required to verify that the certificate was issued by an authorised doctor. This can be obtained from an Austrian embassy or consulate.
No extra confirmation is needed if the certificate comes directly from a hospital.
Before travelling, the ÖGB advises checking the validity of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on the back of the e‑card and contacting the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse for details on coverage in the destination country.
A holiday illness is frustrating—but Austrian labour law ensures workers don’t lose vacation days unnecessarily. Prompt reporting and proper documentation are essential to protect those rights.
- source: vienna.at/picture: chatgpt.com
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