Updated on 21 April 2020

Subsidies on wages paid during idle time

Subsidies will be paid to employers who declare idle time because they cannot provide employees with agreed work due to the state of emergency and quarantine, and due to the work organisation there is no possibility to work remotely or the employee does not agree to work in another job offered to him or her.

Payment during idle time. During idle time caused by the state of emergency or quarantine, employees must be paid at least the minimum wage set by the government (EUR 607 gross for full-time employees). This amount is paid by the employer. This means that when idle time is declared due to the state of emergency and quarantine, employers will no longer be obliged to pay 40% of the employee’s average wage, which is what is normally paid during idle time.

Subsidies for employers. Under certain conditions, the employer may receive a wage subsidy. The employer may choose the subsidy amount:

  • 70% of the employee’s wage during idle time, but not more than EUR 910.50 gross (for a full month of idle time), or
  • 90% of the employee’s wage during idle time, but not more than EUR 607 gross (for a full month of idle time).

Subsidy payment period. Subsidies will be paid as long as the state of emergency and quarantine declared by the Government continues.

Additional terms. Employers must retain at least 50% of the jobs for which subsidies were paid for at least 3 months after the end of the subsidy payments.

Payment of sickness benefits to family caregivers and other staff

Previously, employees who had to take time off work to care for young children due to the closure of a kindergarten or school because of the state of emergency or quarantine were eligible for state sickness benefit, but the payment was limited to 14 calendar days. Due to recent changes to the law, these employees will continue to receive sick pay until the end of the quarantine if they are unable to work remotely and are not on idle time. In addition to the child’s parents, adoptive parents and guardians, grandparents will also be eligible for sickness benefit.

In the event of quarantine or the state of emergency, employees who have to take time off work to care for their disabled family members due to closure of care facilities will also be eligible for sickness benefit.

During the state of emergency or quarantine period, sickness benefit will also be available to employees with serious chronic illnesses who would be at risk of becoming infected if they were physically at work and if they are unable to work remotely and are not on idle time.

Payment of sickness benefit to persons isolated due to returning from abroad or after contact with someone infected with Covid-19

Individuals who have returned from abroad or have been in contact with someone infected with Covid-19 must isolate themselves for 14 days. During the isolation period, an employee who cannot work remotely and is not on idle time is eligible for sickness benefit paid by the state.