Everything You Need to Know About Moving to the Gateway to South America
If you’re a budget-conscious expat in search of a new home, you might want to consider moving to Colombia. This underrated jewel of South America is famous for its vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and relatively low cost of living. This makes it an attractive destination for foreigners of all ages.
Those looking to make the move can also rest assured they will be in safe hands when it comes to their health. Colombia’s healthcare system ranked 35 out of 191 countries in the 2023 World Health Organization Healthcare Index.
But before you pack your bags, let’s explore everything you need to know about the destination. This includes how to apply for a visa, choose where to live, access healthcare, and more.
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Legal Requirements for Moving to Colombia
Moving to Colombia involves several legal requirements that can vary based on your nationality, the purpose of your stay, and the length of your intended stay. Here are the general steps you need to take when relocating to the country.
Health Insurance Requirements
The first step for moving to Colombia is applying for the correct visa. However, before you can do that, you will need to arrange health insurance. This is because all visitor visas, and some migrant visas, require mandatory health plan coverage for the entire stay in the country.
It’s best to consult the official Migración Colombia website or contact the nearest Colombian consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information about health insurance requirements for different visa types. You can read more about how to choose a health insurance policy further down this article.
Visa Requirements
Once you have arranged your health insurance coverage, you can apply for the relevant visa. There are several types of visas available to foreigners, depending on the purpose of their stay. Here is a breakdown of the main categories:
Work Visa (Type M)
The work visa in Colombia falls under the Type M (Migrant) visa category. You can apply for this visa if you have already secured a job in Colombia. However, the employer must provide documentation proving that the position requires a foreign worker and that they have attempted to fill the position with a local candidate.
This visa is valid for three years and you can renew it for additional periods of up to three years each time. However, this depends on the applicant’s circumstances and compliance with visa conditions. After holding a Type M visa for a certain period (usually two years), you may become eligible to apply for a Type R (Resident) visa. This provides a pathway to permanent residency.
Investment Visa (Type M)
An alternative to the work visa is the Investment visa, which also falls under the Type M (Migrant) category. This visa is designed for entrepreneurs and investors who plan to make a significant investment in Colombia. You may be eligible for this visa if you invest a sum equivalent to at least 350 times the monthly minimum wage in Colombia.
Like the work visa, the investment visa is typically valid for up to three years. You can renew it for additional periods of up to three years each, depending on your circumstances and compliance. After two years, you may also become eligible to apply for a Type R (Resident) visa and have a pathway to permanent residency.
Retirement Visa (Type M)
The retirement visa requires you to have the financial means to live in Colombia without working. If you enter Colombia on a retirement visa, you cannot work in any capacity.
You must meet certain age and financial eligibility requirements to apply. Men must be 65 or older and women must be 57 or older. You must also show that you earn a minimum income of $800 per month. This is the equivalent of three times the Colombian minimum wage per month. This income can come from pensions, Social Security benefits, or other retirement sources.
The retirement visa is typically valid for up to three years. You can renew it for additional periods of up to three years each time, as long as you continue to meet the financial eligibility requirements.
Read About: Places You Can Travel Without a Visa
Student Visa (Type V)
The student visa is classified under the Type V (Visitor) visa category and is specifically for individuals moving to Colombia for educational purposes. It is available to those who have been accepted into an educational institution or academic program in Colombia.
This visa is typically valid for the duration of the academic program or up to one year. However, if your studies continue beyond the initial visa period, you can renew it for additional periods of up to one year each time, as long as you remain enrolled and meet the renewal requirements.
Notably, if you move to Colombia on a student visa, you cannot legally work.
Digital Nomad Visa (Type V)
In 2023, Colombia began issuing the Visa V Nómadas Digitales, which falls under the Type V (Visitor) Visa category. This allows digital nomads and remote workers to live and work in the country for a period of two years.
Applicants must provide proof of remote employment with a foreign company or a contract with foreign clients. They must also have enough income to support themselves while living in Colombia.
This visa is valid for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal depending on the applicant’s circumstances and continued compliance with visa conditions. Notably, holders of this visa cannot work for local employers in Colombia.
Safety in Colombia
Colombia ranks low when it comes to safety, however, like anywhere in the world, some towns and cities are safer than others.
According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Colombia is the 146th safest place to live out of 163 countries. It also remains the least peaceful nation in South America for the fourth consecutive year. The Index looks at a country’s crime, political stability, and other safety-related factors to compare how peaceful it is to other nations.
As of 2024, Numbeo data also shows that Colombia ranks 27 out of 142 countries for crime and 121 out of 142 for safety. Similar to the GPI, this is based on data regarding violent crime, property crime, corruption, and locals’ public perceptions of crime to determine a city’s relative safety.
Although high-crime areas are possible to avoid, the illicit drug trade in Colombia has made some parts of the country quite dangerous. Pickpocketing, mugging, and armed robbery are the most common crimes.
If you are considering moving to Colombia, it is wise to check the United States Department of State travel advisories to find out which parts of the country you should avoid.
Read About: Safety Advice and Travel Insurance for Colombia
Where To Live in Colombia
To help you decide where to live in Colombia, we’ve evaluated data on each city’s cost of living, safety, job opportunities, quality of life, healthcare system, and more. Below are the cities that made the top of our list.
The Best Places in Colombia for Expats
Santa Marta
Established in 1525, Santa Marta is the oldest city in Colombia and the second oldest city in all of South America. Situated along the country’s Caribbean coast, the tropical city is lined by sunny beaches. This makes it the perfect location for those seeking a laid-back seaside lifestyle.
However, there is plenty to see and do in the town’s historic district. This is packed with colonial architecture, chic restaurants, and festive cafes and bars. Crime is also less common in Santa Marta than in most parts of the country, making it a popular option for expats moving to Colombia.
Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga may not attract as many foreigners as other Colombian cities, but in-the-know expats recognize it as a hidden gem. The city is surrounded by greenery and waterfalls. Bucaramanga is also one of the country’s better values, thanks to its surprisingly low cost of living. Local healthcare and public transportation infrastructure are both excellent, too.
Bucaramanga has earned the nickname “The City of Parks,” providing residents with more than 150 green spaces to enjoy.
Medellín
Home to a population of more than 2.5 million people, Medellín is located in the central region of the Andes Mountains and is the second-largest city in Colombia. The weather in this charming mountain city is temperate year-round. There’s always something to do in Medellín too – be it wandering around urban green spaces, shopping in lively street markets, or soaking up the city’s hip local art scene.
Medellín is also a big city without the big-city price tag, which means it’s a great option for budget-conscious expats. It is also considered to be safer than many other regions in the country, and home to some of Latin America’s top healthcare facilities.
The Safest Places in Colombia
Because Colombia has many unsafe cities and regions, we’ve identified the safest places for expats to live based on safety and crime data for each location. In addition to being safer, these cities offer plenty of other quality-of-life perks, making them appealing to foreigners moving to Colombia.
Manizales
Located high in the mountains of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, the charismatic city of Manizales is home to 400,000 residents. As you might expect, pollution and vehicular traffic are relatively low here.
The city features a high-quality public transportation system, walkable roadways, and awe-inspiring views of the Andean mountain range. It also has a Safety Index of 60.7, placing it at the top of our list of the safest cities for expats moving to Colombia.
Pereira
Also nestled in Colombia’s picturesque coffee region, Pereira is a vibrant city with a population of nearly half a million. It is surrounded by stunning mountain vistas and natural hot springs, offering a scenic and tranquil setting.
Pereira enjoys a sunny and warm climate, with temperatures averaging between 63°F and 79°F most of the year. The city boasts a Safety Index of 59.35, which is much higher than the national average. It is also known for its low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for frugal expats.
Cartagena
Home to one million people, the gorgeous city of Cartagena is best known for its narrow streets lined with vivid, multicolored colonial architecture.
Located on the country’s Caribbean coast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is ripe with charming shops, museums, restaurants, and churches, not to mention stunning white-sand beaches.
Cartagena’s Safety Index is 47.41, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to live in one of the country’s bigger, safer cities.
The Cost of Living in Colombia
What Colombia may lack in safety, it more than makes up for with its affordability. The country has one of the lowest costs of living in the world, ranking 102 out of 121 nations in 2024. The average monthly expenses for one person, including rent, is approximately $735.
On average, the cost of living in Colombia is about 70% less than in the United States. US citizens, as well as those from Canada and most of Europe, often find they can live quite comfortably in Colombia on far less money than they are used to spending in their home country.
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Finding a Place to Live in Colombia
While some countries prohibit foreigners from purchasing property, expats in Colombia are permitted to do so. In fact, the Colombian government encourages foreign investments in real estate, and there are no legal restrictions regarding who can or cannot buy property or land.
Although apartments are the most common type of residence in big cities like Bogota, 85% of homes in Colombia are single detached houses, ranches, and huts. Many foreigners who settle in the country opt to buy a house, as the average price is about $50,000 to $100,000.
If you don’t want to buy property, however, it’s easy to find rentals. The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs about $400 in a city center and as little as $330 outside a city center.
Finding a Job in Colombia
It’s not easy for foreigners to find work in Colombia, so it’s best to find a job before you move there rather than waiting to start your search after you’ve arrived. Either way, being fluent in Spanish will give you an advantage in the local job market.
Teaching English is the most popular job for expats in Colombia. There are also opportunities for foreigners in customer service as well as the thriving tech industry, which has become the fastest-growing sector of the Colombian economy.
Banking and Finances in Colombia
Colombia’s unit of currency is the Colombian Peso. The official symbol for the peso is $, but Col$ is used to distinguish it from other peso and dollar-denominated currencies.
Paper money comes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 pesos. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 pesos.
It’s easy for immigrants to set up a bank account in Colombia. You can do so in person or online, but you will need to sign physical documents in person. It’s advisable to shop around and compare different banks, as their regulations may vary for residents and non-residents.
If you become a resident of Colombia, you will need to pay income tax on any money earned both within and outside the country. Non-residents, however, only need to pay income tax on income earned within Colombia.
Education in Colombia
Colombia offers a high-quality education system with highly qualified teachers. Parents moving to Colombia with children can choose from 28 private international schools. Most of them are located in Bogota, but you will also find some in Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Medellín, Pereira, and Manizales.
Adults moving to Colombia to study can attend some of the country’s top universities. The University of the Andes and the National University of Colombia in Bogota are among the best. Bucaramanga’s Industrial University of Santander also ranks highly.
Colombian Culture and Language
Nearly all Colombians (99.5%) speak Spanish, but many also speak English, as most schools teach it. The majority of English speakers can be found in major cities like Cartagena.
Colombian culture is a vibrant mix of Spanish, Indigenous, and African influences. The music and dance scenes are especially lively, with salsa and cumbia being among the most popular genres.
Like in many South American countries, faith and family are highly valued in Colombia. While the country is predominantly Christian, you will also find places of worship for various other religions. Notably, Colombians place great emphasis on close-knit families and respect for elders, often gathering for large family meals and celebrations. It is also common for multiple generations to live together or nearby.
Healthcare in Colombia
Naturally, when moving to Colombia, expats will be curious to know what level of healthcare they can expect to receive. Luckily, the country has an excellent healthcare system, which is known as Entidades Promotoras de Salud (EPS). It combines public and private medical services and offers some of the best patient outcomes and lowest out-of-pocket expenses in the world.
More than 96% of the population has access to the EPS system, which significantly reduces their healthcare costs. However, the system does have some limitations. For example, wait times for medical appointments can be lengthy. In addition, healthcare services in rural areas are often more basic in comparison to those in urban centers. While all legal residents must enroll in the EPS, expats with international health insurance plans can opt out of the system.
Read About: Colombia’s Healthcare System
If you’re an expat in Colombia, it is advisable to invest in a private international health insurance plan. This will increase your access to private healthcare facilities, which typically offer shorter wait times and more modern, comfortable amenities.
There are several plans to choose from, including the following:
Cigna Global Medical Plan
- Flexibility to tailor plans to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s network of trusted doctors
- Convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and plus optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage areas and deductibles
- Freedom to choose your health care provider
U.S. citizens planning on moving to Colombia can also apply for the following plan:
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US Citizens Abroad
As you might expect, the premium you pay will vary depending on the insurance provider and the level of coverage you choose. Therefore, it’s important to do your research and select the right plan to suit your needs and budget. You can read more about this in our article on health insurance for expats in Colombia.
Is Moving to Colombia the Right Choice for You?
Colombia offers an affordable and high-quality lifestyle, making it an attractive destination for those seeking adventure and value. Expats often settle in communities with other foreigners, which helps to enhance their sense of connection and build a supportive network.
For a fulfilling experience, consider moving to Manizales, Cartagena, and the other cities mentioned in this article. They provide safety, rich culture, and unique charm, ensuring that your time in Colombia will be both memorable and exciting.
Related:
- Hospitals in Colombia
- Understanding Health Insurance in South America
- The Most Affordable Countries to Live in
- Moving Abroad Checklist
