Is there a statutory right to paid fertility treatment leave in Ireland in 2026?

No. As of mid-2026, there is no statutory right to dedicated paid fertility treatment leave in Ireland. Proposals for such leave exist — including private members' bills calling for up to 10 days' paid leave per year for assisted human reproduction — but none have been enacted into law. Employees undergoing fertility treatment must currently use statutory sick leave, annual leave, or informal flexible working arrangements.

What leave can I take in Ireland for IVF or other fertility treatment appointments?

In the absence of a specific statutory entitlement, you have four options: (1) Statutory Sick Pay — up to 5 paid sick days per year (at 70% of daily pay, capped at €110/day) if you have 13 weeks' service; (2) Annual leave — schedule appointments around your leave; (3) Flexible or remote working — request adjusted hours under the Work Life Balance Act 2023 if you have 6 months' service; (4) Employer discretion — some employers have their own fertility leave policies. Check your employee handbook.

Can my employer treat me differently because I am undergoing fertility treatment?

Potentially not. If your fertility condition qualifies as a disability under the Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015, your employer must make reasonable accommodation for you unless it causes disproportionate burden. Infertility and related conditions have been recognised in some WRC decisions as capable of amounting to a disability. Dismissal or adverse treatment related to fertility treatment may also constitute discrimination on grounds of gender or disability.

What is the Work Life Balance Act 2023 and does it cover fertility treatment?

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 introduced several new rights, including: extended breastfeeding breaks to 2 years; the right to request remote and flexible working (after 6 months' service); 5 days' unpaid medical care leave per year; and 5 days' paid domestic violence leave. It did not introduce dedicated paid fertility treatment leave. However, the right to request flexible working may be useful for managing appointment schedules.

Can I use the 5 days medical care leave under the Work Life Balance Act for fertility appointments?

The Work Life Balance Act 2023 introduced 5 days of unpaid leave per year to provide personal care or support to a person with a serious medical need. This is intended for carers of sick family members, not for the employee's own medical treatment. Fertility treatment appointments do not qualify under this provision. You would need to use annual leave, sick leave, or a flexible working arrangement instead.

What are the proposed fertility treatment leave plans in Ireland?

As of July 2026, several proposals are under Dáil debate. The Labour Party's Reproductive Health Leave Bill proposes up to 10 days' paid fertility treatment leave per year and up to 20 days for early pregnancy loss. A separate Pregnancy Loss (Various Provisions) Bill 2025 proposes 5 days for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. These remain private members' bills and have not been signed into law.

Does my employer have to let me attend fertility clinic appointments?

There is no specific statutory right to time off for fertility appointments. However, you can: request annual leave for scheduled appointments; request a temporary adjustment to working hours under the flexible working provisions (6 months' service required); use any paid sick leave entitlement if you have a medical certificate. Some employers have internal policies granting paid time for fertility treatment — check your employment contract and handbook.

If I am penalised at work for taking fertility treatment, what can I do?

If your employer demotes, dismisses, or otherwise penalises you in connection with fertility treatment, you may have a complaint under the Employment Equality Acts on grounds of disability or gender. File a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) within 6 months of the discriminatory act (extendable to 12 months in exceptional circumstances). Free legal advice is available from FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) at flac.ie.

How does Ireland compare with other countries on fertility treatment leave?

Ireland is behind several countries on this issue. Spain introduced 5 paid days per year for assisted reproduction in 2023. The UK has no specific statutory fertility leave. Active legislative debates in Ireland in 2025–2026 suggest statutory leave may be introduced, but timing and exact entitlements depend on which bill progresses through the Oireachtas.

Where can I get advice on my rights regarding fertility treatment and work?

Free advice is available from: the Workplace Relations Commission (workplacerelations.ie — information line and online enquiry form); FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres — flac.ie); Citizens Information (citizensinformation.ie); and trade unions if you are a member. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) can advise on equality dimensions of your situation.

Employment Rights · Fertility Treatment

Fertility Treatment Leave Ireland 2026

There is currently no statutory right to dedicated paid fertility treatment leave in Ireland. Proposals are being debated in the Dáil but have not yet been enacted into law. Employees undergoing IVF or other assisted reproduction can use statutory sick leave, annual leave, or flexible working — and equality law may offer some protection against adverse treatment.

Reading time: 5 minutesLast updated: June 24, 2026

FERTILITY TREATMENT — CURRENT LEGAL POSITION (2026)

Dedicated paid FTL — statutory right?	No — not yet enacted as of mid-2026
Proposals at bill stage	Labour's Reproductive Health Leave Bill (up to 10 days proposed) — not yet law
Statutory sick pay	5 paid sick days/year at 70% of pay, capped at €110/day (13 weeks' service required)
Annual leave	20 days/year — can be used for appointments
Flexible working (request)	Right to request under Work Life Balance Act 2023 (6 months' service required)
Equality protection	Potentially — fertility condition may qualify as disability under equality law
WRC complaint deadline	6 months from discriminatory act (extendable to 12 months exceptional)

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Proposed right — not yet law: Dedicated paid fertility treatment leave has been proposed in Ireland but is not yet enacted. Until legislation is signed into law, there is no statutory entitlement. This page explains the current protections available and what change is proposed.

What leave options exist now for fertility treatment?

While dedicated fertility treatment leave has not been enacted, employees in Ireland can use the following existing entitlements:

1. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

5 paid sick days per year once you have 13 weeks' continuous service
Pay rate: 70% of gross daily pay, capped at €110/day
Requires a medical certificate for absences covered
Can be used for recovery days after procedures or for appointment-related illness
Legislation: Sick Leave Act 2022

2. Annual Leave

All employees are entitled to 20 days paid annual leave per year (full-time)
Can be used to schedule appointments without disclosing the reason to your employer
Cannot be unreasonably refused — employer must consider your needs

3. Right to Request Flexible or Remote Working

After 6 months' service, you have the right to request adjusted hours or remote working under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023
Your employer must genuinely consider the request and give written reasons if refused
Adjusted start/finish times may allow clinic appointments without additional leave

4. Employer Discretionary Policies

Some Irish employers — particularly larger companies and multinationals — have introduced their own paid fertility treatment leave policies. These are discretionary benefits, not legal rights. Check your employment contract, employee handbook, or ask HR directly.

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Equality law protection: If your fertility condition qualifies as a disability under the Employment Equality Acts, your employer must make reasonable accommodation. The WRC has recognised fertility-related conditions in equality cases. Adverse treatment related to fertility treatment may also constitute gender discrimination — seek advice from FLAC or the IHREC.

What is proposed — fertility leave bills under debate

Proposal	Sponsor	Status (July 2026)	What it would provide
Reproductive Health Leave Bill	Labour Party	Private members' bill — not enacted	Up to 10 days' paid fertility treatment leave/year; up to 20 days for early pregnancy loss
Pregnancy Loss (Various Provisions) Bill 2025	Government (DETE)	Oireachtas committee stage — not enacted	5 days' paid leave for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks

None of these proposals has completed the full Oireachtas legislative process. They create no legal rights until signed into law and formally commenced by Ministerial order.

Information Accuracy — This guide has been independently researched and reviewed using official Irish government sources available on the publication date. Government schemes, payment rates, eligibility rules and legislation may change over time. Before making financial, legal or welfare decisions, always confirm the latest information directly with the relevant Irish authority.

Reviewed by

Vitor Alves

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting, helping immigrants navigate Irish tax and benefits.

Last reviewed: June 24, 2026 · About this site

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

This page reflects the legal position on fertility treatment leave in Ireland as of mid-2026. There is currently no statutory dedicated right — proposals are at bill stage and this page will be updated when legislation is enacted. Existing protections: Sick Leave Act 2022, Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015.