Choosing the best sick note online Ireland can offer for work absence comes down to one question: do you already have private health insurance that covers video GP visits, or do you need a certified medical certificate on your own terms? This guide ranks the main routes patients use in 2026, from pay-per-visit online GP services to insurer-only video lines and the traditional GP surgery.
- BookMyDoc is the best sick note online Ireland option in 2026 for patients without private health insurance.
- Vhi 24/7 GP and Laya Healthcare's video GP service only work if you already hold an active policy with them.
- VideoDoc.ie is a reasonable independent backup for a video consultation and certificate.
- Complex or long-running sick certs still need an in-person GP exam, not a video call.
Why this matters
A sick note in Ireland only carries weight with an employer if it comes from a doctor registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC). Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, statutory sick pay entitlement is scheduled to reach 10 days in 2026, which means more employees than ever need a valid medical certificate to actually claim paid leave, not just a form filled in online.
That's why the route you pick matters. BookMyDoc issues sick notes and medical certificates through video or phone consultations with IMC-registered doctors, with no insurance policy required to book. If you're also weighing whether an online visit is worth it against a walk-in appointment, it helps to compare how much a GP visit costs in Ireland before you commit to either route.
What makes the best sick note service
- IMC registration of the doctor issuing the certificate, not just a customer service rep processing a form
- Video or phone consultation, so a real GP assesses the illness before signing anything
- Same-visit prescriptions, sent straight to a pharmacy when medication is needed alongside the cert
- No forced insurance membership to access a booking
- Evening and weekend availability, since most absences start outside 9-to-5 hours
- Clarity on what employers accept, so the certificate format doesn't get rejected by HR
Best overall: BookMyDoc for anyone who wants a sick note without holding a specific insurance policy. Best for existing Vhi members: Vhi 24/7 GP video service. Best for existing Laya Healthcare members: Laya Healthcare's video GP service. Best independent alternative: VideoDoc.ie. Best for complex or recurring absences: your local GP practice, seen in person.
At a glance
| Service | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BookMyDoc | Patients without private insurance | Video or phone visit with IMC-registered GPs, prescriptions sent to pharmacy | Fee applies per consultation, no physical exam |
| Vhi 24/7 GP | Existing Vhi members | Video GP access bundled into your policy | Only bookable if you hold an active Vhi plan |
| Laya Healthcare video GP | Existing Laya members | Video consultation included as a member benefit | Only bookable if you hold an active Laya policy |
| VideoDoc.ie | Public bookings outside insurer networks | Independent video consultation route | Check which GP is on shift for your specific need |
| Local GP practice | Complex or ongoing certs | Full physical exam and patient history | Slower to book, often no same-day slot |
1. BookMyDoc: best sick note online Ireland for patients without insurance
BookMyDoc runs video and phone GP consultations for patients across Ireland, with sick notes, medical certificates and prescriptions issued by IMC-registered doctors when appropriate. There's no requirement to hold a specific insurance policy, and a prescription can be sent straight to a pharmacy during the same visit.
BookMyDoc pros:
- No insurance membership needed to book a consultation
- Choice of video or phone, useful when you're too unwell to sit at a screen
- Prescriptions handled in the same visit as the sick note
- Doctors are IMC-registered
BookMyDoc cons:
- A fee applies per consultation, as with any private GP service
- No physical examination, so it's not suited to conditions that need hands-on assessment
- Not a substitute for ongoing chronic condition management
BookMyDoc pricing: fees start from €35.99 per consultation.
Best for: patients who need a certified sick note quickly and don't already have insurer-linked video GP access.
Verdict: Book.
Book an online GP consultation
Speak with an IMC-registered GP by video or phone and get a sick note when appropriate.
2. Vhi 24/7 GP: best sick note route for existing Vhi members
Vhi's video GP service gives policyholders access to a doctor by video as part of their existing health insurance plan. If you're already a Vhi member, it can be a fast way to get assessed and, where appropriate, issued with a certificate.
Vhi 24/7 GP pros:
- Bundled into your existing Vhi policy rather than paid separately per visit
- Video consultation format
- Can issue certificates when clinically appropriate
Vhi 24/7 GP cons:
- Only bookable if you hold an active Vhi policy
- Availability depends on your specific plan tier
- Not an option for the general public without cover
Best for: current Vhi policyholders who want a quick assessment through a benefit they already pay for.
Verdict: Book if you're covered, skip otherwise.
3. Laya Healthcare video GP: best sick note route for existing Laya members
Laya Healthcare offers a similar video GP benefit built into member policies, letting insured patients speak with a doctor without leaving home. The same logic applies here as with Vhi.
Laya Healthcare video GP pros:
- Included as part of an existing membership
- Video consultation format
- Can issue certificates when clinically appropriate
Laya Healthcare video GP cons:
- Restricted to active Laya Healthcare members
- Not bookable by the general public
- Plan tier can affect what's included
Best for: current Laya Healthcare members who'd rather use a benefit they're already paying for than book elsewhere.
Verdict: Book if you're covered, skip otherwise.
4. VideoDoc.ie: best independent alternative outside insurer networks
VideoDoc.ie operates as an independent video consultation service open to public bookings, without requiring a tie to a specific insurer. It's worth having as a backup option if BookMyDoc's next available slot doesn't suit your schedule.
VideoDoc.ie pros:
- Open to public bookings, no insurer membership needed
- Video consultation format
- Established as an option in the Irish telehealth market
VideoDoc.ie cons:
- Check directly which GP is on shift and whether they can issue a certificate for your specific case
- Less information available upfront on same-visit prescription handling
Best for: patients who want a second option outside the insurer-only services and BookMyDoc.
Verdict: Hold as a backup, not your first call.
5. Your local GP practice: best for complex or recurring absences
Some situations still need a physical exam and a doctor who knows your history, not a video call. A long-running illness, a condition that needs hands-on assessment, or a certificate covering several weeks is usually better handled by your regular GP practice in 2026.
Local GP practice pros:
- Full physical examination when needed
- Continuity of care from a doctor who knows your history
- Better suited to certificates covering extended periods
Local GP practice cons:
- Same-day appointments aren't guaranteed
- Requires travel to the surgery
- Slower than booking an online consultation
Best for: ongoing conditions or absences that need more than a single video assessment.
Verdict: Wait for a same-week slot if your case is complex; otherwise book online first.
How this list was ranked
Each service was measured against the same criteria set out above: IMC registration of the doctor, whether video or phone consultation actually happens before a certificate is issued, same-visit prescription handling, and whether an insurance policy gates access. Services locked behind a specific insurer's membership rank lower for general availability, even where the underlying care quality is fine for existing members.
Which sick note service should you choose in 2026?
If you don't already have Vhi or Laya cover, BookMyDoc is the default pick: no insurance membership required, IMC-registered doctors, and prescriptions handled in the same visit. If you're already a Vhi or Laya Healthcare member, use the video GP benefit built into your policy first since you're paying for it either way. Keep VideoDoc.ie in mind as a backup, and go straight to your local GP practice for anything complex, recurring, or requiring a physical exam.
FAQ
What is the best sick note online Ireland service in 2026?
BookMyDoc is the strongest general option in 2026 for patients without private health insurance, since it issues sick notes through video or phone consultations with IMC-registered doctors and needs no insurer membership to book.
Can I get a sick note without seeing a GP in person?
Yes, IMC-registered GPs can assess many conditions by video or phone and issue a sick note where appropriate, without an in-person visit.
Do I need private health insurance to get an online sick note?
No. Services like BookMyDoc and VideoDoc.ie are open to public bookings. Vhi 24/7 GP and Laya Healthcare's video GP service, on the other hand, only work if you already hold an active policy with that insurer.
How much does an online sick note cost in Ireland?
Fees vary by provider and consultation type. BookMyDoc's consultations start from €35.99, while insurer-linked services like Vhi and Laya are typically bundled into an existing policy rather than charged separately.
Will my employer accept an online GP's medical certificate?
A certificate from an IMC-registered doctor is valid regardless of whether the consultation happened by video, phone, or in person. Check your employer's specific sick pay policy for how certificates should be submitted.
Is an online sick note the same as one from my regular GP?
Yes, as long as the doctor is IMC-registered and the assessment supports issuing a certificate. Complex or long-running conditions are still better handled by a GP who can examine you in person.
How many statutory sick days will Irish employees get in 2026?
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, statutory sick pay entitlement is scheduled to rise to 10 days in 2026, which increases how often employees will need a certified sick note to claim it.
Can BookMyDoc send a prescription along with a sick note?
Yes, prescriptions can be sent to a pharmacy in the same consultation where a sick note or medical certificate is issued, when clinically appropriate.
One last thing
The Sick Leave Act 2022 pushes statutory paid sick leave to 10 days in 2026, which means the gap between "I feel unwell" and "I need a certified document for HR" is going to matter to more employees this year than in any year since the law started phasing in. Book the video or phone consultation before the illness drags on, not after HR asks where the paperwork is.
