Colombia has well-defined regulations regarding vacation and leave, designed to protect employee well-being and provide a healthy work-life balance. Understanding these regulations is crucial for businesses operating in Colombia to ensure compliance and maintain positive employee relations. Colombian labor law sets out minimum standards for various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave.
Navigating the intricacies of Colombian leave policies can be complex, especially for international companies. This guide provides a detailed overview of the key aspects of vacation and leave entitlements in Colombia for 2025, helping employers understand their obligations and employees understand their rights.
Annual Vacation Leave
Colombian labor law mandates that employees are entitled to annual paid vacation leave after completing one year of service with an employer. The minimum vacation entitlement is 15 working days per year. It's important to note that these are working days, excluding weekends and public holidays.
- Accrual: Vacation time accrues after one year of continuous service.
- Duration: Employees are entitled to 15 working days of paid vacation per year.
- Compensation: Employees must receive their regular salary during their vacation period.
- Scheduling: The employer and employee must agree on the vacation schedule. If no agreement is reached, the employer has the final decision, but must grant the vacation within the year following the accrual date.
- Cash Payment: It is generally prohibited to compensate vacation time with cash, except when the employment contract is terminated.
Public Holidays
Colombia observes a number of public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to take these days off with pay. If employees are required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to additional compensation.
Here is a list of public holidays in Colombia for 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Epiphany |
| March 24 | Saint Joseph's Day |
| April 17 | Maundy Thursday |
| April 18 | Good Friday |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| May 26 | Ascension Day |
| June 16 | Corpus Christi |
| June 23 | Sacred Heart |
| June 30 | Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
| July 20 | Independence Day |
| August 7 | Battle of Boyacá |
| August 18 | Assumption of Mary |
| October 13 | Day of the Race |
| November 3 | All Saints' Day |
| November 17 | Independence of Cartagena |
| December 8 | Immaculate Conception |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
Sick Leave
Colombian law provides employees with the right to sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. To be eligible for sick leave, employees typically need to provide a medical certificate from a licensed physician.
- Entitlement: Employees are entitled to sick leave as needed, provided they have a medical certificate.
- Payment: During the first two days of sick leave, the employer pays two-thirds (66.67%) of the employee's salary. From the third day onward, the Social Security Entity (EPS) covers the sick leave, also paying two-thirds of the salary.
- Duration: Sick leave can continue as long as medically necessary, subject to EPS regulations.
- Documentation: A medical certificate is required to justify the absence and claim sick leave benefits.
Parental Leave
Colombian law provides for both maternity and paternity leave to allow parents to care for their newborn or newly adopted children.
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is granted to female employees who are pregnant or have recently given birth.
- Duration: The mother is entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave.
- Payment: During maternity leave, the employee receives 100% of her salary, paid by the EPS.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, the employee must have contributed to the social security system during her pregnancy.
- Pre and Post-Natal Leave: Maternity leave is typically taken in the weeks leading up to and following the birth, with the exact distribution determined by medical advice.
Paternity Leave
Paternity leave is granted to male employees following the birth of their child.
- Duration: The father is entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave.
- Payment: During paternity leave, the employee receives 100% of his salary, paid by the EPS.
- Eligibility: The employee must have contributed to the social security system. Proof of the child's birth certificate is required.
Adoption Leave
Adoption leave is available for employees who adopt a child under the age of 18.
- Duration: Adoptive parents are entitled to the same leave benefits as biological parents, i.e., 18 weeks for the mother and 2 weeks for the father.
- Payment: The payment is also covered by the EPS at 100% of the salary.
- Requirements: Proper legal documentation of the adoption is required to claim this leave.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the standard leave types, Colombian law and company policies may provide for other types of leave.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to bereavement leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The standard duration is five working days.
- Marriage Leave: Some companies offer a few days of paid leave for employees getting married. The duration can vary.
- Study Leave: Study leave may be granted to employees pursuing further education or professional development. This is usually unpaid and subject to employer approval.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is not legally mandated but may be offered by some employers as a benefit. The terms and conditions of sabbatical leave vary widely.
- Voting Leave: Employees are entitled to time off to vote in elections.
- Jury Duty Leave: Employees summoned for jury duty are entitled to leave.
