⚡ DIRECT ACCESS TO IGSS
Guatemalan Social Security Institute
Which to use?
- 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
- WhatsApp / 1522 — medical appointments, queries — 24/7 free
📞 Contact Center: 1522 · 📞 Alt: 2412-1224 / 2297-1224 · 📍 7a Avenida 22-72 Zona 1, Guatemala City · 🆔 Verified: May 2026
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 and voluntary independent 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. Self-employed? → Voluntary Contribution. 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 (independents) |
| 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 | Variable (1-5 min wages base) | 5-10 days enrollment |
| IGSS Migrant Worker Coverage | Variable per agreement | 30-90 days |
| PRECAPI Domestic Workers | Voluntary employer contribution | 10-15 days |
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 | Stay enrolled as Voluntary Contributor from the USA — keep accumulating contributed time |
| Your IGSS pensioner parent lives with you in the USA | Annual survival verification via Guatemala Consulate (5-15 days) |
| 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 Voluntary, Migrant, PRECAPI |
| Bank account | For pension payment and reimbursements |
2026 IGSS Calendar — key dates
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| Each month | Employer payment per NIT last digit (consult calendar) |
| Pensioner birthday month | Mandatory Survival Verification |
| June | Bono 14 payment (to employer, not IGSS) |
| December | Aguinaldo payment (to employer, not IGSS) |
| 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%) |
| Pension suspension for not verifying survival | Pension resumes upon verification (no retroactive payments) |
IGSS contact
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contact Center | 1522 (24/7 free) |
| Alternative phones | 2412-1224 / 2297-1224 |
| 5321-4477 (Inbox Central chatbot) | |
| 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)
- 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