Ukraine Mandates Electronic Sick Leave from April 2026, with Limited Exemptions

Revised Regulations for Temporary Disability Benefits

According to ХВИЛЯ: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 4683-IX, which introduces updated regulations for temporary disability benefits, effective from April 1, 2026. This reform mandates that all sick leave payments will be processed exclusively on the basis of an electronic certificate of incapacity for work, solidifying the priority of digital formats within Ukraine's healthcare system. This move is part of a broader digital transformation of public services in the country.

Paper sick notes will become the exception, reserved only for specific circumstances. These exceptional cases include:

• Adoption of a child
• Establishment of guardianship
• Technical system failures

For employees with multiple jobs and self-employed individuals working under an employment contract, a certified copy of a paper sick note will serve as the basis for payment. If a self-employed person does not have a primary place of employment, the healthcare institution must certify the copy.

Enhanced Scrutiny of Sick Leave Issuance

Furthermore, specially authorized doctors will now be involved in verifying the legitimacy of sick leave certificates. The electronic certificate is generated based on a medical conclusion, while any paper certificate must be authenticated with the signature of the head physician and the institution's official stamp. These measures are designed to increase transparency and oversight in the administration of sick pay.

The changes to the temporary disability benefit system reflect a wider trend of implementing digital technologies across Ukraine's public sector.

These innovations are expected to reduce the risks of fraud and improve the efficiency of managing social benefit payments. It is crucial for all parties involved-employees, employers, and medical professionals-to be properly informed about the new rules and procedures, which will affect their respective rights and obligations.