Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
0 comments 
In 2025, INSS Allows Sick Leave for Up to 60 Days with Just a Medical Certificate in Meu INSS, No Initial Exam Required. For More Time, an In-Person Exam Is Necessary
Sick leave, now called temporary incapacity benefit, underwent a significant change in 2025. Those who need to take time off work for health reasons can obtain the benefit for a longer period with just a medical certificate, without having to attend an in-person exam right at the beginning. The rule is already in effect and interests millions of Brazilians who rely on INSS to maintain their income during recovery.
What Changed in Sick Leave in 2025
Until last year, INSS authorized this type of digital request for a maximum period of 30 days. Starting in 2025, the limit has been extended to 60 days. In practice, this means that leave of up to two months can be analyzed solely based on the medical documents submitted online.
The change came through a provisional measure from the federal government. The intention is to speed up service, reduce the backlog of exams, and provide a quicker response for cases considered simple, which typically do not require immediate in-person evaluation.
-
Government enacts new law: paternity leave increases from 5 to 20 days with gradual increases until 2029, and Social Security pays the paternity salary; companies no longer bear the absence cost, estimated at R$ 5.4 billion.
-
End of the 1-hour lunch break in the CLT? Current labor law maintains the break, allows for negotiated reductions, and defines rules for working hours and home office in Brazil.
-
Employee Fired After Accumulating 114 Days of Medical Leave in One Year, Labor Court Upholds Company’s Decision
-
Employee Fired While Treating Depression Wins in Court and Vale Is Required to Rehire Him Following Decision Based on the CLT and INSS Benefits
How Sick Leave Works Without In-Person Exam
The request is still made through Meu INSS, either via the app or the website. The individual selects the temporary incapacity benefit option and submits the medical certificate, along with other documents that help prove the issue. This digital procedure is known as Atestmed.
After submission, INSS reviews the documents. If everything is in order, the benefit is granted for the duration specified in the certificate, respecting the 60-day limit. If the doctor recommends a shorter period, INSS pays only for that time. If a longer period is recommended, the insured receives the first 60 days based on the digital analysis and must undergo an in-person exam to continue.
What Is Atestmed
Atestmed is a form of document analysis created to avoid requiring everyone to face a backlog for exams for short leaves. The idea is simple. When the case is common and the certificate is correct, INSS can decide without calling the insured for an in-person evaluation.
This step does not take away rights. It merely changes the initial analysis method, making the process faster for those who need a temporary leave.
The Medical Certificate Must Be Complete
This is a central point and deserves emphasis. INSS does not accept just any medical certificate. The document must provide basic and clear information, such as the doctor’s name, professional registration, date of issue, and the recommended duration of leave. It must also be legible and signed.
In some cases, the certificate includes the diagnosis or the ICD code. This can help in the analysis, but it should only be included with the patient’s consent, as it is sensitive data. Even without an ICD code, the request may be accepted as long as the rest is correct and well explained.
Why the Deadline Was Extended
The main reason is the backlog of exams. In recent years, the number of requests has increased, while the capacity for in-person service has not kept pace. As a result, many people waited months for a simple medical confirmation.
With the new rule, INSS can resolve part of the cases without in-person exams. Thus, the exams become concentrated on longer leaves or more complex clinical situations, where in-person evaluation makes a bigger difference.
Another reason is that most leaves occur due to short-term issues. Simple surgeries, orthopedic crises, strong infectious diseases, and mental health issues that require rest usually call for a few weeks of recovery. For these cases, submitting documents is usually enough.
What If the Person Needs More Than 60 Days
When the incapacity exceeds two months, the rule returns to the traditional model. The insured can receive the first 60 days based on the digital analysis but must request extension and undergo an in-person exam to continue receiving.
This request must be made before the benefit ends. If the examination confirms that the person still cannot work, the payment continues. If it does not confirm, the benefit is terminated.
What Changes in the Extension
In the extension, the decision lies with the INSS medical examiner. They evaluate the tests, the clinical history, and the current condition of the insured. From there, they determine whether the leave continues and for how long.
The Rule Is Definitive
The extension to 60 days was presented as a temporary measure, linked to the term of the provisional measure. Congress may still approve the change, alter the text, or allow the rule to expire. In simple terms, it is not guaranteed that the 60-day period will last forever, although there is a chance that the measure will be maintained due to the positive impact on the backlog.
Therefore, it is good for the insured to keep track of official updates and take advantage of the digital format while it is available.
Who Can Request Sick Leave
The change in the deadline does not alter who is entitled to the benefit. It can be requested by those who are insured by INSS and are temporarily unable to work. This applies to workers with a formal contract, self-employed individuals, MEIs, domestic workers, and other categories that contribute regularly.
In general, there is also a waiting period of 12 monthly contributions. But there are exceptions, such as cases of accidents of any kind and some serious illnesses provided for by law.
A Real Relief for the Insured
The extension of the deadline without an in-person exam is good news for those who need a quick response and cannot go without income. It reduces bureaucracy, avoids travel, and improves the service flow of INSS. At the same time, it requires care when submitting documents, as the decision depends on what is attached to the system.
For the citizen, the path is straightforward. If needing to take off for up to 60 days, gather a well-prepared medical certificate, submit it through Meu INSS, and track the request. In many cases, this already guarantees the benefit without leaving home.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!