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Online Sick Note Ireland | Medical Certificate Same Day

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smartscripts

Ireland’s #1 online healthcare platform

If you’re searching for an online sick note in Ireland, you’re probably not researching casually.

Overview

You may be:

  • Too unwell to go to work
  • Too sick to sit in a GP waiting room
  • Under pressure to send documentation to HR
  • Trying to avoid paying €60–€70 for a brief GP visit
  • Unsure whether an online sick note will actually be accepted


This guide explains how sick notes really work in Ireland, legally, practically, and professionally, and how smartscripts’ €20 online medical certificate service fits within that system.

What is a Sick Note in Ireland?

In Ireland, a sick note is formally called a medical certificate.

It is a document issued by a doctor confirming that you are medically unfit for work (or study) for a specific period.

A legitimate Irish medical certificate includes:

  • Your full name
  • Date of medical assessment
  • Dates certified unfit for work
  • Doctor’s name
  • Irish Medical Council (IMC) registration number


It does not normally state your diagnosis.

Employers are entitled to confirmation of medical unfitness, not your private health details.

When Do You Actually Need a Sick Note?

This depends entirely on the context. There is no universal law in Ireland requiring a sick note after one day. Instead, there are three separate frameworks that matter:

1. Employer Policy

Most Irish employers:

  • Allow 1–2 days of self-certified leave
  • Require a medical certificate after 3 consecutive days

Some employers require a certificate from day one. Your employment contract or staff handbook is the governing authority.

2. Statutory Sick Pay (Ireland 2026)

Ireland now provides statutory sick pay.

As of 2026:

  • Employees are entitled to 5 paid sick days per year
  • Paid at 70% of normal wages (subject to a daily cap)
  • A medical certificate is required


Employers must comply with the statutory minimum.

3. Illness Benefit (Department of Social Protection)

This is where many people get confused. If you are applying for Illness Benefit through the Department of Social Protection (DSP), certification requirements differ.

smartscripts.ie does not provide sick certificates for DSP or social welfare claims.

If you need certification for Illness Benefit, you must attend your GP. This distinction is important for transparency.

Are Online Sick Notes Legal in Ireland?

Yes. Remote consultations are a recognised medical practice in Ireland.An online sick note is legally valid if:

  • It is issued by a doctor registered with the Irish Medical Council.
  • The doctor has performed a genuine clinical assessment.
  • The certificate includes appropriate documentation details.


There is no legal difference between in-person and remote certification if professional standards are met.

Why Employers Accept Online Sick Notes

Many patients worry:

“Will my boss/HR accept this?”

Employers generally look for three things:

  1. A registered doctor’s signature.
  2. Clear dates.
  3. Professional formatting.


The method of consultation (in-person vs remote) is irrelevant if the certificate is legitimate. Telemedicine is now standard across Ireland.

How smartscripts Online Sick Notes Work?

smartscripts uses a structured, clinically reviewed model designed for efficiency and integrity.

Here is the process in detail.

Step 1: Complete the Online Consultation

You complete a structured medical questionnaire.

This includes:

  • Symptom details
  • Onset date
  • Relevant health background
  • Reason you are unable to work


This creates a documented clinical record.

Step 2: Upload a Self-Recorded Video

Instead of booking a live video call, you upload a short video explaining your symptoms. This gives the reviewing GP a clinical context without requiring live scheduling. It reduces delays and allows faster processing.

Step 3: GP Review

A registered Irish GP reviews:

  • Your written consultation
  • Your recorded video
  • Any potential red flags


If appropriate, a certificate is issued. If remote certification is not appropriate, you are advised to see a GP in person.

Step 4: Certificate Issued

If approved, you receive:

  • A digitally signed medical certificate
  • Issued by an IMC-registered doctor
  • Suitable for employer use


Cost: €20 per certificate. There are no hidden fees. If, for any reason, we can’t help you, you will receive a full refund.

Why SmartScripts Costs €20

All Online Services cost €20.

SmartScripts operates efficiently because:

  • There is no clinic overhead.
  • There is no live scheduling bottleneck.
  • Consultations are reviewed asynchronously.

    This allows the cost to remain €20 while maintaining medical oversight. Lower cost does not mean lower standards. It reflects digital efficiency.

Important Service Boundaries

smartscripts.ie:

  • Does not issue backdated (retrospective) sick notes
  • Does not issue continuous or rolling certificates
  • Issues only one certificate per illness episode
  • Does not provide DSP / social welfare documentation
  • Does not certify emergency or complex conditions


These limits protect clinical standards.

Why We Do Not Provide Backdated Sick Notes?

Issuing certification for a past period without contemporaneous assessment can:

  • Create employer disputes.
  • Undermine medical credibility.
  • Place the doctor’s registration at risk.


That is why smartscripts only certifies current illness at time of assessment. This may feel restrictive, but it ensures the certificate stands up to scrutiny. Medical certification should reflect the current assessment. If you were sick previously but did not seek medical review at the time, you must consult your GP.

This protects:

  • Patients
  • Employers
  • Doctors’ professional registration

Why Only One Certificate Per Illness?

If illness continues beyond the certified period, in-person GP assessment may be required.

Providing unlimited remote extensions could undermine patient safety.

Issuing one certificate per illness episode ensures:

  • Responsible oversight
  • Prevention of misuse
  • Alignment with general practice standards

What Conditions Are Suitable for Online Certification?

Online sick notes are appropriate for short-term, uncomplicated illnesses such as:

Conditions Commonly Suitable for Online Sick Notes

Online sick notes may be appropriate for short-term, uncomplicated illnesses such as:

Respiratory & Viral Illness

  • Common cold
  • Flu-like illness
  • Influenza-type symptoms
  • Viral upper respiratory infection
  • Sore throat (non-severe)
  • Sinus congestion or mild sinusitis
  • Mild cough
  • Laryngitis


Gastrointestinal Illness

  • Stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea lasting 24–72 hours
  • Suspected mild food poisoning
  • Abdominal discomfort without severe pain


Headache & Neurological (Non-Emergency)

  • Migraine
  • Tension headache
  • Viral-related headache
  • Mild dizziness (non-persistent, non-severe)


Musculoskeletal Pain

  • Mild back pain
  • Muscle strain
  • Minor sprain
  • Neck pain
  • Generalised body aches
  • Mild joint pain


Dermatological Conditions

  • Cold sores
  • Mild skin infections
  • Eczema flare-up
  • Psoriasis flare-up
  • Rosacea flare
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Mild rash without systemic symptoms


Allergy-Related Symptoms

  • Hay fever
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Mild seasonal allergies


ENT & Minor Eye Conditions

  • Mild earache
  • Blocked ear (non-severe)
  • Conjunctivitis (non-severe)


Women’s Health (Short-Term Impact on Work)

  • Severe menstrual pain
  • Short-term menstrual-related migraine
  • Acute cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection)


Short-Term Mental Health

  • Acute stress
  • Situational anxiety affecting ability to work
  • Short-term burnout symptoms


General Short-Term Illness

  • Fatigue associated with viral illness
  • Fever without red-flag symptoms
  • General malaise

Important Clinical Boundaries

You should not use online sick notes for:

  • Chest pain or suspected cardiac issues
  • Severe shortness of breath
  • Signs of serious infection
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Neurological deficits (numbness, loss of balance)
  • Symptoms requiring urgent imaging or lab tests
  • Long-term chronic conditions requiring monitoring


These conditions require in-person assessment or emergency care.

How Long Does It Take?

Most eligible certificates are issued within hours. Processing time depends on:

  • Completeness of submission
  • Clinical review volume
  • Case suitability


Smartscripts.ie prioritises appropriate review over instant automatic approval.

Common Patient Concerns

“Is this real?” Yes, certificates are issued by IMC-registered doctors.

“Will my employer accept it?” Yes, if properly formatted and signed.

“Is €20 too cheap to be legitimate?” No, the cost reflects streamlined digital review, not reduced medical standards.

“Can I extend it later?” No, continued illness requires GP assessment.

Comparison: Online vs Traditional GP Sick Note

Feature

Traditional GP

SmartScripts

Cost

€50–€70

€20

Waiting room

Yes

No

Live appointment required

Yes

No

Backdating

At GP discretion

No

DSP certificates

Yes

No

One cert per illness

Usually

Yes

This table helps users understand positioning clearly.

Who Should Use smartscripts?

Appropriate for:

  • Employees needing short-term certification
  • Workers without easy GP access
  • People want to avoid clinic visits while sick
  • Students needing employer documentation


Not appropriate for:

  • Illness Benefit claimants
  • Long-term illness
  • Complex medical issues
  • Emergency symptoms

What Happens If We Cannot Issue a Certificate?

Not every medical concern is suitable for remote certification,  and that’s intentional. All submissions are reviewed by a doctor registered with the Irish Medical Council. If, after reviewing your consultation form and video, the GP determines that:

  • Your symptoms require an in-person examination
  • There are potential red-flag or urgent warning signs
  • Your request falls outside the scope of short-term employer certification
  • The situation is not clinically appropriate for remote assessment


Then a medical certificate will not be issued. In these cases, you will receive clear guidance on the next appropriate step, and a full refund. This policy protects patients, employers, and doctors alike. It ensures that certification is only provided when it is medically appropriate and professionally defensible.

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