Colombia Introduces a New Mandatory Public Holiday Under Law 2578 of 2026

Colombia has expanded its list of statutory public holidays with the enactment of Law 2578 of 2026, introducing a new mandatory nationwide public holiday in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá (Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá), who is widely recognised as the Patron Saint of Colombia.

The new legislation applies to employers and employees across both the public and private sectors and has important implications for workforce planning, payroll administration, and employment compliance. Here’s what employers need to know.

What Is the New Public Holiday?

Law 2578 of 2026 establishes 9 July each year as the Day of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, declaring it a mandatory national public holiday throughout Colombia.

The law entered into force upon its promulgation on 1 June 2026, officially adding a new statutory public holiday to Colombia’s national holiday calendar.

When Will the Holiday Be Observed?

Although the holiday commemorates 9 July each year, its observance is governed by Law 51 of 1983 (the Emiliani Law), which provides that certain public holidays are observed on the following Monday.

As 9 July 2026 falls on a Thursday, the first official observance of the new public holiday will take place on Monday, 13 July 2026.

Future observances will continue to follow the provisions of the Emiliani Law where applicable.

Who Is Covered?

The new public holiday applies nationwide and is mandatory throughout Colombia.

Under Law 2578 of 2026, employees in both the public and private sectors are entitled to a paid public holiday in accordance with Colombian labour legislation.

Employers should therefore ensure that work schedules, staffing arrangements, payroll calculations, and internal employment policies are updated to reflect the additional statutory holiday.

What Employers Should Do

To ensure compliance with the new legislation, employers should consider the following actions:

• Update company holiday calendars to include the new statutory public holiday.
• Ensure HR and payroll systems recognise Monday, 13 July 2026 as the first official observance of the holiday.
• Review employment contracts, employee handbooks, and internal leave policies where statutory public holidays are referenced.
• Plan workforce scheduling in advance if business operations are expected to continue during the public holiday.
• Review payroll procedures to ensure employees who are required to work on a statutory public holiday are compensated in accordance with applicable Colombian labour legislation.

Why This Matters

While the introduction of a single public holiday may appear to be a relatively minor legislative change, employers should not overlook its operational impact. HR teams and payroll administrators should update holiday calendars, payroll systems, leave policies, and workforce schedules to ensure compliance with the new statutory requirement.

For multinational organisations employing staff in Colombia, keeping pace with changes in local employment legislation is essential to minimising compliance risks and maintaining accurate payroll administration.

How Link Compliance Can Help

Whether you are hiring your first employee in Colombia or expanding your workforce, Link Compliance helps businesses remain compliant with local employment legislation through our Employer of Record (EOR), Payroll, and HR Outsourcing solutions.

Our local expertise enables businesses to hire, manage, and support employees in Colombia while ensuring compliance with changing employment laws and statutory obligations.

More information: www.linkcompliance.com | Email: info@linkcompliance.com 

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Disclaimer: The information provided herein is based on publicly available sources and is intended for general guidance only. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional tax or legal advice. Readers are encouraged to seek independent advice specific to their circumstances.

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