Costa Rica possesses a skilled workforce across various sectors, including technology, tourism, customer service, and remote work. By utilizing an Employer of Record (EOR) in Costa Rica, foreign employers gain access to this talent pool.

An EOR in Costa Rica acts as the official employer for these professionals, handling payroll, benefits, taxes, and administrative tasks. This setup eliminates the need for foreign employers to establish a legal entity in Costa Rica, making HR operations for foreign employers hiring in Costa Rica simpler and saving time and resources.

Expanding your team means strategically hiring the right people for the right positions.The complex employment regulations in the country highlight the difficulty of following labor laws.

Gloroots provides a comprehensive global Employer of Record  service, allowing you to delegate payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance complexities to Gloroots. This frees you to concentrate on what truly counts: supporting your employees and driving your company's expansion.

Employee misclassification refers to improper classification of a worker by employers. This occurs when an employer improperly classifies a worker as an independent contractor or exempts them from certain employment rules and perks, even if the worker is rightfully eligible for benefits, proper work hours, and other employee rights, 

Engaging a PEO/EOR in Costa Rica removes risks tied to employee misclassification and ensures labor law compliance, accurate worker classification, precise payroll handling, and access to full benefits. This empowers companies to focus on core functions while entrusting skilled experts with employment-related responsibilities.

Related: Understanding Employee Misclassification: How to Avoid Legal and Financial Risks

Costa Rica's Labor Code ("Código de Trabajo") is the primary piece of legislation governing labor relations. Established in 1943, it has been amended various times to adapt to modern conditions.

Employment Contract

In Costa Rica, labor contract must be in writing as per the Labor Code's articles 23 and 24. Verbal employment contracts are valid only for employees in the agricultural or livestock sector. Temporary workers (employed for 90 days) excluding those working in industries, can be employed with an employment contract.

The employment contract must include:

1. Full names, nationality, age, gender, marital status, and address of both parties

2. Identification document numbers

3. Clear worker residence details

4. Contract duration or "indefinite period" declaration

5. Working hours

6. Payment details: salary, wage, or commission, along with payment form, timing, and location

7. Description of provided materials, tools, and equipment, if any, along with their availability

8. Work location(s)

9. Any additional agreements

10. Contract signing date and place

Fixed-term employment contracts are allowed according to articles 26 and 27 of the Labor Code. These contracts can't exceed one year initially, including extensions. However, for tasks requiring specific technical training, they can extend up to five years.

If a fixed-term contract ends and the work's cause and nature persist but isn't renewed, it's considered indefinite for the worker's benefit, requiring compensation payment.

Work hours

An employee's weekly working hours are capped at 48 hours. For night workers (from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.), the maximum weekly hours are limited to 36.

Overtime

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Public Holidays

The country observes 13  public holidays employees can take as paid days off.

Minimum Wage

Annual Leave

In Costa Rica, employees earn 14 days of paid annual leave after 50 weeks of continuous service. Those with less tenure accrue one day per month. Leave cannot be carried over or accumulated unless a written agreement between the employer and employee explicitly allows it.

Maternity Leave

In Costa Rica, pregnant employees are entitled to four months of paid maternity leave—one month before and three months after childbirth. The cost of maternity leave is shared equally between the employer and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), covering the employee’s full salary during this period.

Paternity Leave

In Costa Rica, fathers receive two days of paternity leave per week during the first four weeks after childbirth. The cost is equally shared between the employer and the social security system.

Sick Pay

In Costa Rica, employers pay 50% of the employee’s salary for the first three days of sick leave. From day four up to 26 weeks, Social Security (CCSS) pays 60% of the daily wage. Employees must submit a medical certificate to CCSS within 48 hours to receive benefits.

Income tax

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Other Taxes and Social Security contribution

Employer Payroll Contributions

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Employee Payroll Contributions

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Termination Process

The process of ending employment differs depending on the employment agreement or collective arrangement in effect, and it is influenced by the contract type and the reason for termination.

For individual employment contracts, termination can occur through:

1. Legal provisions

2. Agreement between both parties

3. Either party acts in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by law.

Employers have the authority to terminate employment contracts due to reasons linked to the employee (such as insufficient job performance or disciplinary actions) or reasons unrelated to the employee (like job elimination).

In cases where the employer requests a termination letter, they are obliged to provide one, regardless of the reason for the termination.

Notice Period

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Severance Pay

Probation Periods

The length of the probationary period in Costa Rica relies on the specific job role and is specified in the employment contract. Generally, however, probation periods typically span three months.