When I first started working in Taiwan, one of my biggest worries was what would happen if I got sick. Being away from home, I didn’t want to risk losing my job just because I needed to rest. That’s why learning about sick leave benefits for Filipino workers in Taiwan became so important for me. Having the right information makes a big difference when your health and livelihood are at stake.
To get started, we’ll go through everything I’ve learned about sick leave rights, how to file medical leave, where to find trusted hospitals, and how Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system works for OFWs.
Understanding Sick Leave for OFWs in Taiwan
Taiwan’s labor laws provide clear guidelines on sick leave that apply to both local and foreign workers. As Filipinos working here, we’re entitled to the same protections.
Here are the basics:
- Ordinary Sick Leave: Up to 30 days per year with half pay if you’re covered by labor insurance.
- Unpaid Sick Leave: Up to 1 year within 2 years if you need long-term treatment (such as surgery or recovery).
- Medical Certificates: Always required to prove your illness or condition.
In my experience, employers in Taiwan generally follow these rules strictly because labor inspections are common. But it’s still your responsibility to know your rights and file your leave correctly.
Quick facts you need to know
| What | Rule |
| Ordinary sickness (not hospitalized) | Up to 30 days a year, paid at 50 % of your daily wage |
| Hospitalized illness | Total sick leave + hospital leave max 1 year within 2 years |
| Labor-Insurance sickness benefit | 50 % of your average insured salary; paid twice a month for 6 months (may extend to 12 months with ≥1 yr coverage) |
| Occupational injury/disease | 70 % of salary via Labor Insurance |
| Domestic in-home caregivers | New Major Injury & Illness Support Service flowchart (Mar 2025) offers extra help if you fall seriously ill |
| 24-hour migrant hotline | Call 1955 for Tagalog, English, or legal help |
| Employer can’t fire you for lawful sick leave | Protected by Labor Standards Act & Employment Service Act |
Sick-leave basics — know your paid days
Under Article 43 of Taiwan’s Labor Standards Act, you can take up to 30 calendar days of sick leave per year and still get half pay if you aren’t hospitalized. If a doctor admits you to hospital, sick + hospital leave together may reach one full year inside any two-year stretch—but pay after the first 30 days depends on company policy.
Tip: When I caught the flu last winter, HR asked for my doctor’s certificate and NHI receipts before approving half-pay leave. Photocopy everything and keep digital scans.
Extra cash from Labor Insurance
If you’re insured (most factory, retail, and caregiver jobs are), you can also claim Ordinary Injury or Sickness Benefits: Labor Insurance pays 50 % of your average insured salary, starting on the fourth day you miss work, up to six months.
Have more than one year of continuous coverage? The benefit can stretch to a full 12 months.
How to file
- Ask HR for the Labor-Insurance Sick-Benefit Form (yellow sheet).
- Attach your doctor’s certificate and hospital bills if admitted.
- HR sends the packet to the Bureau of Labor Insurance within 5 days.
- Watch for payment in your bank account every half month.
Special notes for domestic caregivers & household staff
Live-in caregivers aren’t covered by the Labor Standards Act, but you are covered by Labor Insurance once your broker registers you. If a major illness strikes, the Ministry of Labor’s 2025 support flowchart lets employers request a substitute caregiver while you recover, and connects you to medical and legal aid.
Step-by-step: Claiming Paid Sick Leave
- Tell your supervisor by LINE (send date, symptoms, clinic name).
- Visit any NHI clinic the same day. Bring NHI card and ARC.
- Get a doctor’s certificate (醫師診斷證明書). Ask for English if possible.
- Submit certificate to HR within three days.
- Sign HR’s leave form and choose with pay (50 %).
- Track next payslip—half-pay days appear as 別假 (sick leave).
If your illness lasts over three days, start the Labor-Insurance claim process above.
How to File a Medical Leave as an OFW in Taiwan
The process is straightforward, but missing a step could cost you your benefits. Here’s how I do it whenever I need to take a sick day:
- Inform your employer immediately — even a quick phone call or message is enough to start.
- Visit a hospital or clinic and get a doctor’s certificate stating your diagnosis and recommended rest days.
- Submit the certificate to your employer within the required timeframe. Some employers accept scanned copies; others ask for the original.
- Keep a personal copy for your records, just in case.
Tip: Never delay submitting your certificate. I once waited until the weekend to turn in my paperwork, and it created confusion about whether my absence would be paid or not.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, you can check out [How to File a Medical Leave as an OFW in Taiwan].
Top Hospitals and Clinics for OFWs in Taiwan
Finding the right hospital or clinic can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new. What I’ve learned is that most OFWs go to:
- National Taiwan University Hospital (Taipei) – trusted for specialist care.
- Mackay Memorial Hospital (Taipei) – popular for general and emergency care.
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taoyuan) – one of the biggest hospital systems.
- China Medical University Hospital (Taichung) – central Taiwan option.
- Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (Kaohsiung) – reliable for OFWs in the south.
Many smaller community clinics are also NHI-accredited, which is great if you just need a check-up or medicine.
Tip: Save the Chinese name of your nearest hospital in your phone. It helps a lot when showing taxi drivers or asking for directions.
For a fuller list, see [Top Hospitals and Clinics for OFWs in Taiwan].
Understanding Taiwan’s NHI (National Health Insurance)
If there’s one system that makes healthcare in Taiwan affordable, it’s the National Health Insurance (NHI). As an OFW, once you’ve worked for six months or your employer registers you, you’re automatically covered.
Here’s what NHI usually pays for:
- Doctor consultations and treatment
- Hospitalization fees
- Surgeries and medical tests
- Prescription medicines
The co-payment (your share of the cost) is very low compared to private hospital rates. For example, I once paid only around NT$150 (₱270) for a consultation and medicines.
NHI is also tied to your ability to file medical leave because the system verifies your hospital visits. Employers often cross-check your medical certificates with NHI records.
For a deeper explanation, check out [Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) for OFWs: What’s Covered and How to Use It].
Practical Tips for OFWs on Sick Leave
After a few years of working here, I’ve learned these lessons the hard way:
- Always keep receipts and medical records. These may be needed for insurance or disputes.
- Don’t ignore small illnesses. Use your sick leave before it gets worse.
- Respect your employer’s policies. Some factories and households require same-day notice.
- Use NHI hospitals whenever possible. It saves a lot of money.
- Have a health savings fund. Not all treatments are fully covered, and emergencies happen.
Being proactive about your health is not just about protecting your job, but also about making sure you can continue supporting your family back home.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many paid sick leave days do OFWs get in Taiwan?
Up to 30 days with half pay per year, if covered by labor insurance. - Can I be fired for taking sick leave?
No. Employers cannot legally terminate you just for using your entitled sick leave. - Do I need to show a medical certificate for one day of absence?
Yes. Even for a single day, employers usually require proof from a licensed doctor or clinic. - What if I get sick but don’t have my NHI card yet?
You’ll need to pay full price at the hospital, but you can apply for partial reimbursement once your NHI coverage starts.
Conclusion
Being an OFW in Taiwan is not easy, but knowing your rights to sick leave benefits can give you peace of mind. Whether it’s filing medical leave correctly, finding the best hospitals, or using NHI to save on costs, each step helps you stay secure and healthy while working abroad.
Take care of yourself — because your health is your biggest investment.