Costa Rica offers a variety of leave entitlements to employees, ensuring a balance between work and personal life. These statutory benefits are mandated by the Costa Rican Labor Code and other regulations, providing a framework for employers to manage employee time off. Understanding these requirements is crucial for businesses operating in Costa Rica to maintain compliance and foster positive employee relations.
Navigating Costa Rica's leave policies can be complex, but it is essential for employers to ensure they are meeting their legal obligations and providing fair benefits to their employees. This guide provides a detailed overview of the various types of leave available to employees in Costa Rica, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and other forms of leave.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Costa Rica are entitled to paid annual vacation leave after working for at least 50 weeks for the same employer. The minimum vacation entitlement is two weeks (14 calendar days) for every 50 weeks worked. Vacation time must be granted within the 15 weeks following the completion of the 50 weeks of work.
- Vacation pay must include the employee's regular salary plus an additional vacation bonus (plus an additional vacation bonus, which is equivalent to one day's wages for each week of vacation).
- It is illegal for employees to waive their right to vacation time in exchange for additional pay, except in specific circumstances upon termination of employment.
- Employers must maintain accurate records of employee vacation time and pay.
Public Holidays
Costa Rica observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to take these days off with pay. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to double pay.
Here is a list of public holidays in Costa Rica for 2025:
| Holiday Name | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Juan Santamaría Day | April 11 |
| Maundy Thursday | Date varies |
| Good Friday | Date varies |
| Labor Day | May 1 |
| Annexation of Guanacaste Day | July 25 |
| Virgin of Los Angeles Day | August 2 |
| Mother's Day | August 15 |
| Independence Day | September 15 |
| Culture Day | October 12 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Note: Dates for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday vary each year as they are dependent on the Easter holiday.
Sick Leave
Employees in Costa Rica are entitled to sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. To be eligible for sick leave, employees generally need to be covered by the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS).
- Employees must provide a medical certificate from the CCSS to justify their absence.
- The CCSS typically pays a portion of the employee's salary during sick leave, usually starting from the fourth day of absence.
- The employer is responsible for paying a percentage of the salary for the first three days of sick leave.
Parental Leave
Costa Rica provides parental leave benefits to both mothers and fathers, including maternity leave, paternity leave, and adoption leave.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to four months of maternity leave, typically taken as one month before the expected birth date and three months after the birth.
- During maternity leave, the CCSS generally pays the employee's salary.
- Employees are protected from termination during pregnancy and while on maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to paternity leave to care for their newborn child.
- The duration of paternity leave is typically one or two days per week for the first four weeks after the birth of the child.
- The exact duration and conditions may vary based on the employer's policies or collective agreements.
Adoption Leave
Employees who adopt a child are also entitled to leave.
- The duration and conditions of adoption leave are similar to maternity leave, ensuring that adoptive parents have time to bond with their new child.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the standard leave types, Costa Rican law and employer practices may provide for other forms of leave, including:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The duration of bereavement leave can vary but is usually a few days.
- Study Leave: Some employers may offer study leave to employees pursuing further education or professional development. The terms of study leave, including whether it is paid or unpaid, are usually determined by the employer's policies.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is less common but may be offered by some organizations to allow employees to take an extended period of leave for personal or professional growth. The conditions of sabbatical leave vary widely.
- Marriage Leave: Employees are often granted a few days of leave upon getting married.
- Voting Leave: Employees are legally entitled to time off to exercise their right to vote in national elections.
