Population
51.9M
Currency
Colombian Pesos (COP)
Languages
Spanish
Capital
Bogota
Cost of Living
25.23 (US 69.92)
(US 69.92)
Time (UTC)
UTC - 5
Government
Presidential Republic

Hire in Colombia without an entity and fully compliant with local labor laws

Colombia is well-known for its vast natural resources, cutting-edge cities, and diverse cultural heritage. It is also one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world. The title describes places where the majority of Earth’s species live, including those native to Colombia. 

With a total land area of 439,700 square miles, the country is slightly less than twice the size of Texas.

Get to know Colombia

Colombia offers residents and visitors deserts, hills, grasslands, and the Amazon rainforest. The unique ecosystems make Colombia the third most biodiverse country in the world. 

A vibrant fusion of Spanish, African, and indigenous elements shapes contemporary culture. "Joie de vivre," a saying often used to describe Colombians, speaks to their bright, charismatic, and exuberant joy of life.

Services, agriculture, and manufacturing drive Colombia's developing economy. The primary cash crop is coffee. International trade includes exporting raw materials and importing machinery and manufactured goods. The United States is Colombia's largest trading partner, and free-market forces set prices. 

The World Bank classifies Colombia as an upper-middle-income economy with the following trade agreements and alliances: 

Trade Agreements:

  • CAN - Andean Community of Nations
  • Pacific Alliance

Alliances:

  • Non-Aligned Movement
  • CELAC - Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
  • Latin Union
  • OAS - Organization of American States
  • UN - United Nations
  • USAN - Union of South American Nations
  • UNESCO
  • WTO - World Trade Organization

“Must know” if you’re hiring in Colombia without an employer of record

Entity requirements
Mandatory hiring contracts & clauses
Different compliance risks for full-time vs. contractor employees
Mandatory probationary periods
Allowable working hours & overtime wage laws
Timecard and attendance records
Required employer payroll, labor insurance, and tax payments
Discrimination protection
Notices & termination regulations

Budgeting for Colombia employees

Hiring remote Colombian professionals is smart and economical, assuming you’re fully compliant with local tax, labor, and wage laws.
Employee Classification–Full-time vs Contractor

Full-time:

  • Minimum terms and conditions of employment 
  • Fixed salary
  • Fixed work hours
  • Benefits and paid leave

Contractor:

  • Provides independent and autonomous services
  • Workplaces can vary 
  • Flexible hours
  • No fixed salary
Employment Contracts

Employment contracts should include the following information:

  • Identification of both parties
  • Start date
  • Workplace
  • Job description, duties, and responsibilities
  • Salary and benefits
  • Working hours
  • Total number of holidays
  • Notice periods for employment termination
  • Probation period
Probation Period

Two months

Standard Working Hours & Overtime
  • Eight to 10 hours per day
  • 48 hours per week
  • Daytime overtime = paid 125% of regular wage
  • Holiday overtime = paid 175% of regular wage
Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Wages & Bonuses
  • Minimum monthly wage = $250
  • 13th month pay

USD equivalent median salaries based on Role:

  • Data Scientist: $22,490
  • Electrical Engineer: $19,536
  • Hardware Engineer: $19,428
  • IT Manager: $17,960
  • Mobile Developer: $36,591
  • Product Manager: $26,915
  • Project Manager: $32,031
  • QA Engineer: $12,251
  • Software Engineer: $30,841
  • System Administrator: $32,909
  • UX Designer: $21,254
  • Web Developer: $34,256

Payroll Taxes & Employer Contributions
  • 4% Pension 
  • 4% Medical Plan
  • 19%-39% Income Tax
Benefits

Health Insurance 

  • Compulsory and provided by either the public sector or private medical plans
  • Contributive System (CS) financed by taxes paid by both employers and employees

Paid leave

Maternity 

  • 18 weeks

Paternity 

  • Eight days

Vacation/PTO days

  • 15 days

 Sick Days

  • Two days = Paid by employer
  • 180 days = Reimbursed by Social Security System

 Additional Leave

  • Bereavement Leave = five days
  • Marriage Leave = five days

Additional Benefits

  • Life Insurance
  • Medical Check-Up
  • Personal Loans
  • Birthday Holiday
  • Educational Support

Holidays

Colombia celebrates 18 national (public) holidays and multiple observances a year including

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Epiphany Holiday (January 11)
  • Independence Day (July 20)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
Termination & Severance

Notice Period is 15 - 30 days

Severance pay depends on the duration of employment

Restricted or prohibited terminations without just cause:

  • Employees who are pregnant or on maternity leave
  • Employees whose partner is pregnant or on maternity leave
  • Employees on sick leave
  • Employees within three years of retirement
  • Union leaders

And a few fun facts about Colombia…

  • Approximately 70%-90% of the world's emeralds come from Colombia. 
  • The national beverage of Colombia is Aguardiente. The "flaming water" is a sugarcane-based liquor with an anise flavor you sip from a shot glass.
  • Colombia is home to pink dolphins! However, only 20 of the endangered species still exist.
  • Colombia is home to the "River of Five Colors," also known as the "Liquid Rainbow," because of the yellow, green, blue, black, and red colors that illuminate the clear waters between September and November.
  • Want some coffee? Colombia produces 1,892,000,000 pounds a year, or about 8% of global production. 

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