Country Guide

Colombia

South America's fastest-growing expat destination. Incredible weather year-round, vibrant culture, affordable cost of living, and one of the best coffee regions in the world. Medellín and Bogotá lead the expat scene.

Monthly Cost of Living
$1,000-1,600
Primary Language
Spanish
Time Zone (UTC)
UTC-5

Visa Options

V Visa (Independent)

For professionals and remote workers. Requires $1,300+/month income or savings. Easier than you'd expect.

Digital Nomad Visa

Requires $2,000+/month income. Valid for 90 days, renewable.

Pensioner Visa

Requires $1,350+/month pension. Available for retirees.

Healthcare

Public Healthcare Access

Colombia's healthcare system (SGSSS) is excellent for costs. Public system available to residents. Private healthcare is very affordable and high-quality.

International Insurance

Private health insurance: $20-50/month for expats. Medications are extremely cheap ($2-10 per prescription). Dental care very affordable.

Taxes & Income

Tax Residency

Tax residency after 183 days in Colombia. Remote work income may be exempt from Colombian tax if generated abroad, but seek professional advice.

Remote Work Options

Digital Nomad and V visas allow remote work. No special work permit needed. Increasingly expat-friendly for remote workers.

Cost Breakdown

Housing

$300-700 for 1-bedroom in Medellín. $400-900 in Bogotá. Much cheaper than neighboring countries.

Food & Dining

$250-350/month for groceries. Street food: $1-3 per meal. Local restaurants: $4-8 per meal.

Transportation

$0.70-0.80 per bus ride. Metro in Medellín excellent. Taxis and Uber cheap.

Utilities & Internet

$20-40/month electricity, $10-20 water, internet $20-40. Among cheapest in Americas.

Pro Tips

  • Medellín's innovation ecosystem and eternal spring climate make it attractive; often called the "Silicon Valley of South America"
  • Security in Medellín has improved dramatically; use basic precautions and stick to safe neighborhoods
  • Healthcare and medications are astonishingly cheap; costs are lowest of any country covered
  • Spanish is essential; English is less common than in other destinations
  • Coffee region (Salento, Armenia) offers lower costs and stunning countryside
  • The culture is warm and welcoming; Colombians are proud of their country's transformation

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