- IGSS Portal — institutional, programs, news, PDF forms
- Electronic Services — online employer registration, electronic payroll, contributions lookup
- Employer Payment Calendar — monthly deadlines by NIT last digit
- 1522 / WhatsApp — information and queries (1522: Mon-Fri 7:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 8:00-16:00). Appointments are booked in person at your assigned unit
IGSS (Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social) is the autonomous institution that administers social security in Guatemala since 1947 — 79 years covering health (EMA), pensions (IVS), maternity, workplace accidents and recreation (via IRTRA). Covers all formal-sector workers; former salaried workers can keep paying into the pension programme (IVS) as voluntary contributors.
Quick rule: Are you a worker? → Your employer enrolls you on day 1. You contribute 4.83%, receive medical coverage + pension. Are you an employer? → Register within 6 days, pay the 12.67% employer contribution monthly per the calendar. Left salaried work with 12+ contributions in the last 36 months? → Voluntary Contribution (pensions only, no medical care). Pensioner? → Annual survival verification mandatory.
5 Main IGSS Programs
| Program | What it covers | Who receives it |
|---|---|---|
| EMA | Sickness, Maternity, Accidents — medical care, surgeries, medicines, IGSS hospitals | Active contributing affiliates (coverage from month 1) |
| IVS | Disability, Old Age, Survivorship — contributory pensions | Affiliates with 240+ contributions (old-age 60 men / 60 women) |
| PRECAPI | Special Protection Program for Domestic Workers | Domestic workers voluntarily affiliated |
| IPLENA | Full Incorporation Program for Children and Adolescents | Children and adolescents of affiliated workers |
| PLAN | Pensions for Workers in IGSS Service | Internal IGSS employees |
IGSS sub-portals
| Portal | Purpose |
|---|---|
| igssgt.org | Institutional site — programs, news, PDF forms |
| Electronic Services | Access to Affiliate Portal, Employer Portal, electronic payroll |
| servicios.igssgt.org/Patronos | Online employer registration |
| Payment Calendar | Monthly employer payment deadlines by NIT |
| Voluntary Contribution | Voluntary contributor enrollment (former salaried contributors; IVS pensions only) |
| Survival Verification | Annual pensioner verification |
| Migrant Worker | Information for Guatemalans working abroad |
| CAMIP | Comprehensive Pensioner Medical Care Center |
| CATAFI | Affiliate Care Center |
| Forms | Download all IGSS forms |
| Formate IGSS | Internal training platform |
| Contributions Lookup | Verify accumulated contributions |
IGSS trámites by audience
For employers
| Trámite | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| IGSS Employer Registration | Free | 6 business days from start of operations |
| Monthly Employer Payment + 2026 Calendar | 12.67% payroll | Monthly per NIT |
For affiliated workers
| Trámite | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Worker IGSS Enrollment | Free | Employer does it day 1 |
| Contribution Certificate | Free | 1-5 days |
| IGSS Medical Appointment | Free | Immediate to 7 days |
| Maternity (84 days at 100%) | Free | 84 paid days |
| Temporary Disability | Free | Paid from day 4 |
| IRTRA Card (recreation) | Free | 1-3 days |
For pensioners
| Trámite | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Old-Age Pension | Free | 60-90 days |
| Disability Pension | Free | 90-180 days |
| Survivorship Pension | Free | 60-90 days |
| Survival Verification (annual) | Free | Annual mandatory |
For independents and migrants
| Trámite | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| IGSS Voluntary Contribution | 5.5% of last obligatory salary (pensions only) | Apply the month after your last month worked |
| IGSS Migrant Worker Coverage | Variable per agreement | 30-90 days |
| PRECAPI Domestic Workers | Voluntary employer contribution | 10-15 days |
Correction, 23 September 2026. An earlier version of this page said IGSS voluntary contribution was open to freelancers and other independents on a declared base of 1-5 minimum wages, with EMA medical coverage from month 4. IGSS’s own March 2026 guidance says voluntary contribution (Acuerdo 1124 de Junta Directiva) is for former obligatory contributors with at least 12 paid IVS contributions in the last 36 calendar months, costs 5.5% of the last complete obligatory salary, and covers pensions only: “los beneficios no contemplan la cobertura de servicios médicos”. See our corrections policy.
Overview
- IGSS Guatemala — Complete Guide — overview of the entire institution, benefits and process
2026 Contribution Rates
| Concept | Worker | Employer | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGSS Contribution (on nominal salary) | 4.83% | 12.67% | 17.5% |
| IRTRA (included in employer contribution) | — | 1% | — |
| INTECAP (training, not IGSS) | — | 1% | — |
Example: Worker with Q5,000/month salary. IGSS deduction: Q241.50/month. Employer contribution: Q633.50/month. Total transferred to IGSS for that worker: Q875/month.
Diaspora — Guatemalans working in the USA
Bad news: NO Guatemala-USA agreement
Unlike Mexico (with active bilateral agreement) or Spain (Ibero-American Convention), Guatemala has NO social security agreement with the United States. This means:
- Your USA Social Security contributions do NOT count toward your IGSS pension
- Your IGSS contributions do NOT count toward your USA Social Security pension
- No reciprocal medical coverage either
Good news: alternatives
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You contributed to IGSS before migrating and will eventually return | If you have at least 12 paid obligatory contributions in the last 36 months, apply for Voluntary Contribution to keep adding IVS pension time (pensions only, no medical care; lost after three consecutive unpaid months) |
| Your IGSS pensioner parent lives with you in the USA | Annual proof of life through the nearest Guatemalan consulate, within 30 days of the birthday |
| You worked in Spain before migrating to USA | Ibero-American Convention applies (Spain + Guatemala) — combine contributed times |
| You will return to Guatemala | If you have 240+ months contributed (20 years), apply directly for Old-Age Pension at qualifying age |
| You need contribution certificate for USA visa or trámite | Request IGSS Contribution Certificate — valid in USA with MINEX apostille |
Main IGSS Hospitals and Centers
- General Hospital of Diseases (HGE) — Zone 9, Guatemala City
- HGA “Ceibal” — General Hospital of Accidents
- Departmental Hospital of Retalhuleu (modernized April 2026)
- CAMIP — Pensioner Comprehensive Medical Care Centers (in various zones)
- Company Clinics — care within large companies (Sacos del Atlántico, Kern’s, etc.)
Complete list of medical units at igssgt.org/directorio.
Before any IGSS trámite — checklist
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Valid DPI | Primary identification, scanned |
| IGSS affiliate number | If you don’t have it: find it on your card or in the Affiliate Portal |
| Company NIT (employers) | For employer payment and queries |
| Proof of address | For new enrollments |
| Birth certificate or passport | For Migrant, PRECAPI (Voluntary Contribution asks for your valid DPI) |
| Bank account | For pension payment and reimbursements |
2026 IGSS Calendar — key dates
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| Each month | Employer payment per NIT last digit (consult calendar) |
| 30 days from the pensioner’s birthday | Mandatory proof of life (survival verification) |
| July (first half) | Bono 14: paid by the employer, not the IGSS (Decreto 42-92, Art. 3) |
| December and January | Aguinaldo: 50% in the first half of December and 50% in the second half of January, paid by the employer (Decreto 76-78, Art. 2) |
| Annual | IRTRA Card renewal |
Common IGSS fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| No employer registration | Q5,000 to Q50,000 + retroactive contributions + interest |
| Late employer payment | 4% monthly surcharge on contribution |
| Failing to report workplace accident in 24h | Q2,000 to Q10,000 + civil liability |
| Failing to deduct IGSS from worker | Employer assumes 100% (their 12.67% + worker’s 4.83%) |
| Not proving survival on time | IGSS says the payment risks suspension and the case may be sent for analysis; reinstatement terms are not stated on its pensioner pages (checked 24 Sep 2026) |
IGSS contact
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contact Center | 1522 (Mon-Fri 7:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 8:00-16:00) |
| Alternative phones | 2412-1224 / 2297-1224 |
| 5321-4477 (information only — does not book appointments) | |
| Headquarters address | 7a Avenida 22-72 Zona 1, Guatemala City |
| Write to us | igssgt.org/consultas |
| Public Information | igssgt.org/informacion-publica |
More Guatemala state resources
- MINTRAB Guatemala — labor obligations of the employer (RECIT, RIT, accidents — parallel to IGSS)
- SAT Guatemala — NIT (prior step to IGSS employer registration)
- Guatemala Healthcare Guide — private hospitals, typical costs, insurance and emergency numbers for anyone IGSS does not cover
- MSPAS Guatemala — public health (vaccines, alerts — IGSS coordinates)
- MINGOB Guatemala — background checks (requirement for new hires)
- MINECO Guatemala — Mercantile Registry (prior step)
- Trámites Guatemala — full directory