Living in Colombia: Setup Guide for Expats
Colombia offers accessible residency options for foreigners, including visa categories for retirees, remote workers, and investors. This guide covers the administrative sequence for setting up banking, healthcare, and legal residency.
What to Expect
What to know about bureaucracy:
Colombian bureaucracy has modernized significantly but still requires patience. Many processes can be initiated online through Migración Colombia, though in-person appointments are often required for completion. Documentation requirements are generally straightforward compared to other Latin American countries. Having a cedula de extranjería (foreign ID card) simplifies most processes.
What to consider about language:
Spanish is the official language and is essential for most administrative processes. Colombian Spanish is considered clear and relatively easy to understand. English is spoken in business settings and tourist areas of major cities, but government offices, banks, and healthcare providers operate primarily in Spanish. Basic Spanish proficiency significantly improves daily life.
What to know about timing:
Visa applications are processed relatively quickly compared to other countries—often 2-4 weeks for standard categories. The cedula de extranjería takes additional time after visa approval. Banking setup can happen quickly with proper documentation. Overall, establishing yourself takes 1-3 months depending on your visa type and preparation.
What to prepare beforehand:
Before beginning the process, most applicants need: apostilled documents (criminal background check, proof of income), passport photos, and health insurance documentation. Colombia accepts apostilles under the Hague Convention. Having documents translated by an official Colombian translator may be required depending on the visa category.
How Life Setup Works in Colombia
Most processes in Colombia depend on your legal status and official documentation. The following sequence shows how each step unlocks the next. Understanding these dependencies helps avoid delays.
Visa
Your visa type determines your rights to work, access services, and length of stay. Colombia offers visitor, migrant, and resident visa categories.
Cedula de Extranjería (Foreign ID)
The cedula is your Colombian identification document. Required for most official processes and makes daily life significantly easier.
Bank Account
A Colombian bank account enables local payments, receiving funds, and building financial history. Requirements have become more accessible for foreigners.
RUT (Tax Registration)
The Registro Único Tributario is your tax identification. Required for formal employment, invoicing, and certain financial activities.
Healthcare Access
Colombia has both public (EPS) and private healthcare systems. Formal employees are enrolled automatically; others can affiliate independently.
Common Workarounds
Some setup steps depend on others being completed first. In practice, people often use temporary or partial solutions to move forward.
A common challenge: some banks require a cedula, but the cedula process takes time after visa approval. Landlords may want local bank references, but you need an address for banking. A common approach: Some banks (like Bancolombia) open accounts for visa holders before cedula issuance with additional documentation. Short-term rentals or Airbnb provide initial addresses. International cards and wire transfers bridge the gap during transition. Digital banks like Nequi work with passport numbers.
Note: This sequence applies to most visa holders. Some processes differ for specific visa categories (digital nomad, investor, etc.).
What You Need to Set Up
These are the core areas to research and plan for. Each links to a detailed guide with Colombia-specific information.
Visas & Residency
Colombia offers visitor visas, migrant visas (including digital nomad), and resident visas. The digital nomad visa has become popular with remote workers.
Key question: What visa category fits my situation and long-term plans?
View GuideBanking
Colombian banks have varying requirements for foreigners. A cedula simplifies everything, but some options exist for visa holders. Digital wallets like Nequi are widely used.
Key question: How do I open a bank account, and what documentation do I need?
View GuideHealthcare
Colombia has a two-tier healthcare system. The public EPS system is affordable; private healthcare is high quality and reasonably priced by international standards.
Key question: How do I access healthcare, and should I use public or private?
View GuideCost of Living
Costs vary dramatically between cities and neighborhoods. Medellín and Bogotá have different price points; Cartagena's tourist areas are more expensive.
Key question: What budget do I need, and how does location affect costs?
View GuidePopular Cities in Colombia
Where you live in Colombia dramatically affects your experience. Each major city has distinct climate, culture, costs, and expat communities.
Medellín
Spring-like climate, largest expat community, modern infrastructure. Popular with digital nomads and retirees.
View GuideBogotá
Capital city with most economic opportunity, cultural offerings, and services. Cooler climate at high altitude.
View GuideCartagena
Caribbean coast colonial city. Tourist-oriented with higher costs in historic areas. Beach access and distinct culture.
View GuideCali
Salsa capital with warm climate. More affordable than Medellín. Smaller expat community but growing interest.
View GuideWhere to Start Based on Your Stage
Your next step depends on where you are in the process.
If you're still researching whether to move
Start with cost of living to understand how your budget translates. Colombia offers good value, but costs vary significantly by city and lifestyle.
If you've decided to move but haven't started the process
Research visa options first. The digital nomad visa is popular but has specific requirements. Understanding your visa category shapes everything else.
If you're preparing documents and planning arrival
Get documents apostilled in your home country. Research neighborhoods in your target city. Consider a scouting trip before committing.
If you've arrived and are setting up
Apply for cedula once your visa is approved. Open a bank account and set up a local phone number. Affiliate with healthcare.
If you're established but have specific questions
Browse the detailed guides below for specific topics, or explore city-specific information for local considerations.
Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions
These are common mistakes and misunderstandings that can cause delays or complications when setting up life in Colombia.
Pitfall: Underestimating neighborhood differences within cities
Colombian cities have dramatic variation between neighborhoods—in safety, cost, and character. A city-level decision isn't enough; neighborhood research is essential. What's true in El Poblado (Medellín) is very different from other areas.
Pitfall: Not getting documents apostilled before arrival
Apostilles must be obtained in your home country and cannot be done in Colombia. Missing apostilles can delay visa applications significantly. Prepare these documents before traveling.
Pitfall: Trying to open bank accounts without proper documentation
While Colombia is more accessible than some countries, banks still have requirements. Arriving without a cedula limits your options. Plan for the documentation timeline.
Misconception: Assuming Colombia is uniformly inexpensive
While Colombia offers good value overall, popular expat neighborhoods in Medellín and Cartagena have seen significant price increases. Budget expectations should be neighborhood-specific, not city-wide.
Misconception: Believing the digital nomad visa is the only option
The digital nomad visa gets attention, but other categories may fit better depending on your situation. Visitor visas allow 180 days per year. Retirement and investment visas have different benefits.
Important: This guide provides general information for planning purposes. Requirements, costs, and processes change frequently. Always verify current information with official Colombian government sources (Migración Colombia, Cancillería) or qualified professionals before making decisions. This is not legal, tax, or immigration advice.