Colombia’s mandatory military service fines in 2026: What people face for failing to complete the process

In Colombia, failing to report for mandatory military service can lead to a fine that accumulates each year, according to the rules outlined for 2026.

A Colombian citizen’s legal status changes at age 18. Anyone who does not appear for military service and does not justify the absence can be classified as “remiso,” or a person who has failed to comply with the call-up process. Authorities can impose a fine of two monthly minimum legal wages for every year the summons is not fulfilled, with the total capped at 20 minimum wages.

The obligation is described as a constitutional duty for Colombians to serve the country and contribute to the purposes assigned to the public forces. However, the legal situation changes at age 24 under Law 2341. From that point, the state can no longer force the person to enlist, but the person must pay a one-time military compensation fee to settle their status.

That fee depends on monthly income. People without income pay 5% of the monthly minimum wage. Those earning up to two minimum wages pay 15%; those earning between two and four pay 25%; and those earning more than four pay 50%.

Colombia also recognizes 16 grounds for exemption under Law 1861 of 2017. The listed grounds include being an only child, supporting siblings who cannot earn a living after the death of a parent, and being the child of parents over 60 or with a permanent disability who depend financially on the child. Exemptions also cover certain siblings or children of people killed or permanently disabled during military service, as well as children of professional members of the armed forces and police who died.

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is a constitutional duty directed at all Colombians to serve the country, arising when they reach the age of majority to contribute to and achieve the purposes of the state entrusted to the public forces.