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Payroll in Nicaragua
Payroll in Nicaragua runs in NIO on a usually monthly cycle, with statutory employer contributions and mandatory 13th-month salary (aguinaldo). Gracemark operates it end-to-end, humans, not tickets.
Currency
NIO, Nicaraguan córdoba
Payroll cycle
Usually monthly
Working week
Generally 48 hours for daytime work; lower limits apply to night and mixed schedules
Minimum wage
Sector-based and periodically revised; use the current MITRAB schedule for the applicable activity
13th-month
Mandatory 13th-month salary (aguinaldo)
Employer cost
INSS and INATEC costs vary by employer size and contribution base; present an employee-specific calculation rather than one universal percentage
Probation
Common statutory trial period is up to 30 days
Notice period
Notice, accrued rights and indemnity depend on cause and service; calculate before termination
Two ways to run payroll in Nicaragua
Own-entity payroll
For long-term presence in Nicaragua. Gracemark manages statutory filings, pay runs, and year-end reporting under your entity, with a named operator on Central America time.
EOR-run payroll
No entity in Nicaragua? Employ and pay talent under Gracemark's local infrastructure via EOR, onboard in 2–3 weeks, no local incorporation.
Compliance essentials in Nicaragua
- Aguinaldo (13th salary) is mandatory and paid in December
- Generous statutory leave accrues at 2.5 days per month
- INSS social security is the main employer contribution
- Cost-effective labor for support and back-office work
- US Central-time overlap
Get a payroll quote for Nicaragua
Send your headcount and salary band. We reply with employer burden, net-to-gross, and setup timeline, no sales scripts.
Deeper guide
Hiring guide: Nicaragua →
Employ without entity
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All countries
Global payroll overview →