Missing a day of work because you’re unwell is stressful enough, but booking a GP appointment for a sick note adds extra hassle. Online medical certificates in Ireland — starting at €20 and arriving within hours — offer a convenient, legally valid alternative.
Starting price for online sick note: €20 ·
Fastest delivery time: 2 hours ·
Typical processing time: 1 working day ·
Issued by Irish registered GP: Yes (all top services) ·
Accepted by most employers: Yes, when legally compliant
Quick snapshot
- Complete online health questionnaire (SmartScripts – Irish GP service)
- No video call required (Get Sick Cert – online sick note provider)
- Certificate emailed as PDF (MedHub – Irish GP service)
- Prices from €20 to €35 (SmartScripts; Get Medical Certificate)
- Express options available (Get Sick Cert)
- No hidden fees (MedHub)
- Legally valid if issued by Irish registered GP (SmartScripts – Irish Medical Council–registered doctors)
- Accepted by most employers (Get Medical Certificate – compliant with Statutory Sick Pay)
- Check with HR for specific policy (MedHub – employer acceptance guidance)
- As fast as 2 hours (SmartScripts – fastest turnaround)
- Average 1 working day (MedHub)
- Same-day options exist (Sicknote.com – same-day service)
Here are the key facts at a glance:
| Minimum cost | €20 (SmartScripts) |
| Maximum cost | €35 (Get Medical Certificate) |
| Fastest turnaround | 2 hours (SmartScripts) |
| Typical turnaround | 1–2 business days (MedHub) |
| Issuing authority | Irish registered GP (Get Sick Cert; SmartScripts) |
| Employer acceptance | Generally accepted, but varies (Get Medical Certificate) |
Can you get a sick cert without seeing the doctor?
What online assessments involve
The process is straightforward. You fill out a health questionnaire covering your symptoms, duration of illness, and basic personal details. An Irish-registered GP reviews your answers and decides whether a certificate is appropriate. SmartScripts says its doctors are registered with the Irish Medical Council and conduct the assessment remotely.
Legal validity of remote certification
Irish law does not require an in-person visit for a standard short-term sick certificate. According to MedHub, certificates issued after a remote consultation are legally valid for work absences. Get Sick Cert states that its digital notes signed by Irish-certified GPs meet regulatory standards for acceptance by employers and authorities nationwide.
When in-person visits are still required
Most online services state they can only issue certificates for illnesses lasting up to a certain number of days — typically 5 to 7 days. MedHub warns that longer certs require a physical GP consultation. Similarly, Get Medical Certificate notes that Illness Benefit claims require the DSP MED1 form from a GP after an in-person visit.
An online sick note from a registered Irish GP carries the same legal weight as one issued in a clinic. But the onus is on you to check your employer’s sickness policy — some companies may still ask for a physical visit if your absence runs longer than a week.
What is the easiest way to get a medical certificate?
Step-by-step process for an online medical certificate
- Visit a provider’s website — no account setup required for most services (Get Sick Cert).
- Complete a medical questionnaire describing your symptoms and the dates you were unwell.
- Pay the fee (€20–€35) via card or digital payment.
- Receive your certificate as a PDF by email — often within 2–24 hours (SmartScripts).
Required documents and information
You will need your name, address, date of birth, employer details (if for work), and a brief description of your illness. No medical records or prior test results are required. MedHub says its form asks about symptoms, duration, and any medications you are taking.
How to receive and use your certificate
Once the GP approves your request, the certificate is emailed as a PDF. Save it and forward it to your employer’s HR department or upload it to your company’s sick leave portal. Get Medical Certificate says its notes are accepted under Ireland’s Statutory Sick Pay scheme.
Can I apply for a sick note online?
Eligibility criteria for online sick notes
Most services accept anyone over 18 who has been ill within the past 7 days (MedHub). Some also offer certificates for school or travel reasons. Get Sick Cert provides fit-to-work, fit-to-fly, and pre-employment certificates.
Services that offer online applications in Ireland
Several providers operate in Ireland: SmartScripts (€20), MedHub (€30), Get Medical Certificate (€34.99), Get Sick Cert (€26.99), and Sicknote.com (€33). All claim to use Irish-registered GPs.
Comparison of turnaround times
Standard processing is 1–2 business days for most services. Express options can deliver within hours. SmartScripts offers the fastest advertised turnaround at 2 hours.
Faster delivery often comes at a premium. But the key factor is not speed — it’s whether the doctor is registered with the Irish Medical Council. Every service listed here claims to meet that standard, so price becomes the main differentiator.
The implication: choose speed only when your employer’s deadline demands it, but always verify the GP’s credentials first.
How much does a sick cert cost in Ireland?
Pricing overview of top online services
Four major services, one pricing pattern: from €20 to €35.
| Service | Starting price | Express option | GP registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartScripts | €20 | Yes (2 hours) | Irish Medical Council |
| Get Sick Cert | €26.99 | Yes | Irish-registered GPs |
| MedHub | €30 | Unclear | IMC-registered |
| Sicknote.com | €33 | Same-day | Irish-registered GP |
| Get Medical Certificate | €34.99 | No info | Medical Council of Ireland |
What influences the cost
Two factors drive price differences: turnaround speed and included services. Express delivery adds €5–€10. Some providers include free corrections or reissues.
Are cheaper certificates less reliable?
Price does not correlate with legitimacy — all listed services employ Irish-registered doctors. SmartScripts offers a full refund if it cannot issue a certificate, suggesting a robust clinical triage process.
Are online sick certificates valid?
Legal basis for online certificates in Ireland
Under Irish employment law, a sick certificate from a registered medical practitioner is sufficient to support a statutory sick leave claim. Get Medical Certificate states its notes are accepted under the Statutory Sick Pay scheme, which is administered by the Irish government. SmartScripts clarifies that employers are entitled to confirmation that a qualified doctor assessed the employee — but they are not entitled to know whether the consultation was in person or online.
Employer acceptance and red flags
Most employers accept online certificates from registered GPs, but policies vary. MedHub says its certificates are for work, school, or travel. Red flags include missing doctor registration numbers, unprofessional formatting, or certificates that do not include the dates of incapacity.
How to verify a certificate’s authenticity
Look for the doctor’s full name, Irish Medical Council registration number, and contact details. SmartScripts includes the doctor’s name, registration number, and certified dates of incapacity on every certificate. You can verify a doctor’s registration on the Irish Medical Council website.
Not all online certificates are created equal. If the service cannot provide a verifiable IMC number, treat it as a red flag. Ireland’s statutory sick pay system trusts the doctor’s registration — not the platform’s marketing.
Employers who see an IMC number can be confident the certificate is legitimate.
Confirmed facts
- Online sick notes from registered GPs are legally valid in Ireland (SmartScripts)
- Multiple services offer certificates for €20–€35 (SmartScripts; Get Medical Certificate)
- No physical visit is required for a standard short-term certificate (MedHub)
What’s unclear
- Whether all employers accept online certificates without additional verification
- The exact acceptance rate among large vs. small employers
- If certificates can be backdated for pre-existing illnesses
What the services say
“Our online sick notes are fully compliant with Irish employment law and issued by a registered GP.”
— GPSickNote.ie, Dr. Sinéad Howley
“All certificates are issued by an Irish registered GP and are legally valid for work absences.”
— MedHub
“No sign-up, no video needed – just complete the form and get your certificate within hours.”
— GetSickCert.ie
Summary
Online medical certificates have closed the gap between convenience and legal compliance in Ireland. The choice is not between “legitimate” and “risky” — it’s between services that verify their doctors and those that don’t. For Irish workers who need a quick sick note for a short absence, the smart move is to pick a provider that lists its doctor’s IMC number, offers a refund policy, and delivers within your timeframe. For employers, the standard is clear: accept a certificate from a registered GP, whether the consultation happened in a clinic or over a web form.
Patients who need a sick note quickly can also consider an online doctors certificate in Ireland as a reliable alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to create an account to get a sick note online?
No. Most services allow you to fill out the form and pay without creating an account. The certificate is emailed as a PDF. Get Sick Cert advertises a no-sign-up process.
Can I get a sick note for a past illness?
Some providers issue certificates for illnesses within the past 7 days. MedHub says it covers events within the past 7 days. Backdating for older illnesses may not be possible.
Will my employer know I used an online service?
Not necessarily. SmartScripts notes that employers are entitled to confirmation that a qualified doctor assessed you — they are not entitled to know whether it was online or in person.
Is a sick note from an online GP valid for more than 7 days?
Most online services only issue certificates for absences of 5–7 days. MedHub states longer certs require an in-person visit. For extended leave, schedule a physical appointment.
What happens if my online sick note is rejected by my employer?
Check if the certificate includes the doctor’s IMC number and certified dates. If it does, the employer may be acting outside policy. If it does not, ask the service for a corrected version. SmartScripts offers a full refund if it cannot issue a valid certificate.
Can I get a medical certificate for a family member online?
Most services require the person who is ill to complete the questionnaire themselves. Get Sick Cert offers certificates for work, university, and travel — but does not mention third-party applications. Check the service’s terms.
Do online sick notes work for self-employed workers?
Self-employed workers can use online certificates to manage client relationships or insurance claims. However, Illness Benefit claims require the DSP MED1 form from a GP, which typically involves an in-person visit, as Get Medical Certificate explains.
Noah Harper is Senior Reporter at Southern Focus, covering breaking stories and explainers.