Electronic sick notes in Luxembourg: what patients still need to do themselves

Electronic sick notes are gradually becoming routine in Luxembourg. According to CNS figures reported by RTL, the fund processed 2,000 digital certificates in August and 6,350 in October. Around 350 doctors currently use the system. This is the same sick leave certificate in a new format; what changes is how it reaches the patient, the CNS and the employer.

When a doctor practising in Luxembourg is connected to the system, they can issue an electronic certificate of incapacity for work, or eCIT. The patient receives a notification and finds the document in their private MyGuichet space. From there, two separate deliveries need attention.

The patient can send the certificate to the CNS manually or enable automatic forwarding in advance. The system provides a receipt. The employer does not receive it automatically: the patient must send it separately. Electronic delivery works if the employer has enabled the relevant professional MyGuichet service. Otherwise, the doctor can print a copy, or the patient can print the employer’s section. If the employer has not confirmed reading the electronic document, the CNS advises using a conventional delivery method within the legal deadline.

The deadlines do not change. An absence lasting no more than two working days does not have to be declared to the CNS. For an absence of three working days or more, the certificate must reach the CNS by the end of the third working day. The obligation to inform the employer on time remains separate.

The electronic route is available for appointments with doctors practising in Luxembourg, including for cross-border workers. It does not cover certificates issued by doctors abroad. From 1 January 2027, doctors will be required to transmit certificates digitally, although patients will still be able to request a paper copy.

CNS patient guide: https://cns.public.lu/fr/assure/services-ligne/demarches-incapacite/ecit-certificat-electronique-incapacite.html