Medical Leaves in Colombia (2026): Who Pays, How to File Them, and How Long They Take

Getting sick in Colombia is already enough of a headache without adding the stress of not knowing if you're going to get paid your full biweekly salary. With the reduction of the workweek to 42 hours in July 2026 and recent regulatory adjustments, understanding how medical leaves work has become vital whether you are an employee, employer, or independent contractor.

Honestly, I've seen too many professionals lose money or take on paperwork that doesn't belong to them simply because they didn't know the law. So let's clarify exactly who pays you, how much they should deposit, and what the filing process looks like this year.

1. What is medical leave and who assumes the payment? (Common vs. Occupational Origin)

In Colombia, the origin of your illness or accident dictates the rules of the game. If you fracture your leg playing soccer on the weekend or catch a bad flu, we are talking about common origin medical leave. This is where the famous payment ladder comes in: your company covers the first two days, and then the EPS takes over starting on the third day.

But watch out for this: if the accident happens at your workplace or the illness is a direct result of your duties (for example, carpal tunnel syndrome from typing all day), it is of occupational origin. In this scenario, the Occupational Risk Administrator (ARL) steps in to cover 100% of your Base Contribution Income (IBC) from the very first day of your absence. No discounts.

2. The 2026 Minimum Wage and your guaranteed daily payment

The mathematics of medical leaves changed this year. According to Decree 0159 of February 2026, the current legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV) was temporarily established at $1,750,905 COP (plus the transportation allowance of $249,095 COP, for a total of $2,000,000 COP).

Why does this matter to you if you earn more than the minimum wage? Because Colombian law, supported by Ruling C-543/07, prohibits the daily payment of medical leave from being lower than the daily minimum wage. This means that in 2026, no medical leave payment can be less than $58,364 COP per day.

If you earn the minimum wage, your employer and the EPS are required to pay you 100% of your base salary during your medical leave, since applying the 66.67% discount would leave you below the allowed legal floor. Keep in mind that the transportation allowance is discounted proportionally for the days you do not commute to the workplace.

3. The harsh reality for independent workers

If you are a service-provision contractor or freelancer, the rules are much less friendly. Since you don't have a legal "employer", no one pays you for the first two days of common origin medical leave. Your coverage with the EPS officially starts on day 3.

I would skip the idea of relying solely on EPS payments if you are an independent worker. It is essential to have an emergency fund to cover those gaps. And speaking of opportunities for independents: according to active listings on Colombia Move (July 2026), there are currently 0 vacancies or active profiles in the technology category. If you are healthy and looking for projects, you can offer your services there.

Remember that for the EPS to pay you, you must have contributed uninterruptedly for at least 4 weeks (28 days) before the start of the medical leave.

To avoid getting tangled up with your contributions, check out our guide on electronic invoicing for independent workers in Colombia.

4. How to file and transcribe a medical leave without complications

This is where companies usually take advantage of the worker's lack of knowledge. According to Decree Law 019 of 2012 (Anti-Red Tape Law), it is strictly forbidden for the employer to force the dependent employee to file their own medical leave with the EPS. Your only responsibility is to hand over the medical certificate to Human Resources; they take care of the paperwork and the reimbursement.

Now, if you went to a private doctor (outside your EPS network), you need to do a transcription. You have a maximum deadline of 15 calendar days from the issuance of the certificate to request it. And a key privacy fact: the EPS cannot demand your complete medical history. The epicrisis (discharge summary) or an attention summary is enough to validate the rest.

If you just returned to the country and need to get your paperwork in order, we explain how to activate your EPS upon returning to Colombia.

5. Legal waiting times: How long do they take to pay?

Patience is a virtue when it comes to the Colombian health system, but the law establishes clear limits. Once the medical leave is filed, the EPS has exactly 15 business days to review and settle the request.

If approved, payment must be executed within a maximum period of 5 business days after authorization. If the EPS plays blind, your employer (or you, if you are independent) can escalate the case to the Superintendency of Health or the Labor Inspection.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Who pays the first two days of medical leave in Colombia?

The employer covers the first 2 days at 66.67% of the salary (or 100% if the worker earns the minimum wage). Independent workers do not receive payment for these initial two days.

❓ What is the minimum I can be paid for a day of medical leave in 2026?

The daily payment cannot be lower than the current legal daily minimum wage, which for the year 2026 is equivalent to exactly $58,364 COP per day.

❓ Can my company force me to transcribe a medical leave with the EPS?

No, according to Decree Law 019 of 2012, the employer is solely responsible for processing and filing the medical leaves of their dependent workers with the EPS.

❓ How many days do I have to transcribe a medical leave issued by a private doctor?

You have a period of 15 calendar days following the date of its issuance to submit the certificate and the epicrisis to the EPS for validation.

❓ What happens to the payment if my disability exceeds 180 continuous days?

Starting on day 181, the payment obligation shifts from the EPS to the Pension Fund (AFP), provided there is a favorable rehabilitation concept issued before day 120.

❓ Is it safe to publish my professional services on the internet if I am temporarily disabled?

Once recovered and medically cleared, you can publish your profile or look for independent projects for free and directly on the Colombia Move jobs channel.