Moving to Colombia: the essential guide before you leave

Are you thinking of moving to Colombia, whether on your own, as a couple or with your family? In this guide, you will find everything you need to know before settling in Colombia to ensure a successful relocation: administrative procedures, choosing where to live, the cost of living, the healthcare system, everyday challenges … it’s all here! 

Pros and cons of living in Colombia 

The pros 

• An affordable cost of living: for example, Colombia is around 60% cheaper than Panama and 40% cheaper than Mexico 
• Unparalleled biodiversity with varied landscapes: mountains, Caribbean beaches and nature reserves, including 59 breathtaking national parks! 
• A large expat community in certain regions 
• A warm and welcoming population 
• Excellent medical facilities in major cities 
• For food lovers: the country is renowned for its high-quality coffee and chocolate  

The cons 

• If you don’t speak Spanish, English is not widely spoken, except in major cities 
• The average national wage is relatively low (€550 net per month), although expats generally earn higher salaries 
• Relatively high crime rates in certain areas  

Colombian currency and exchange rates 

The national currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso, abbreviated to ‘COP’ and symbolised by the dollar sign ‘$’. 

Currently, 1 Colombian peso is equivalent to 0.00026 US dollars and 0.00022 euros. It therefore takes 3,850 COP to equal 1 USD and 4,536 COP to equal 1 EUR. (As of 23 September 2025). 

The Colombian peso depreciated by 42% between 2021 and 2022, but is now relatively stable. 

Administrative procedures for settling in Colombia 

1. Choosing the right visa: 

Whilst a visa is not required for stays of less than 3 months, it becomes mandatory for any stay exceeding 90 days. Here are the five main types of Colombian visa:  

• Visitor visa “V”: primarily for tourist, business or study visits. 
• Visa V – digital nomad: a new visa designed for digital nomads.  
• Resident visa “R”: for residents wishing to settle permanently in the country, having accumulated a period of residence, who are parents of a native Colombian, or who wish to invest in the country. 
• Migrant visa “M”: for people wishing to settle in Colombia who do not meet the conditions for the R visa (notably employees, self-employed individuals, investors or spouses of Colombian nationals).  
• Working Holiday Visa (VVT): for certain nationals aged 18 to 30 wishing to stay and work in Colombia, but not Brits or Americans. 

2. Applying for a visa: 

All visa applications for Colombia are made entirely online via the following official website: https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/solicitarVisa.xhtml 

You will need to provide several documents, including: 

• A valid passport 
• A digital colour passport-style photograph 
• Depending on the type of visa, other documents may be required: 
• Proof of income 
• Proof of address 
• Bank statements for the last six months 
• Employment contract or letter from the company’s legal representative 

Visa applications take between a few days and a few weeks to process. 

3. Register with the immigration authorities: 

Within 15 days of your arrival, you must apply for a residence permit from Migración Colombia (the immigration authorities) to obtain the cédula de extranjería, or national residence permit. 

This card allows you, in particular, to register for social security and open a bank account.  

Where to live in Colombia? 

Bogotá 

Bogotá is the economic and cultural heart of Colombia. It is a dynamic capital offering numerous professional opportunities, lively neighbourhoods, renowned schools and excellent hospitals. 

The neighbourhoods favoured by expats are: 

• Usaquen: this is one of the city’s largest neighbourhoods, favoured by well-off and middle-class families for its peaceful atmosphere. The areas of San Antonio, Santa Ana and Santa Barbara are the most popular with expats. 
• Chico Norte and the surrounding area: the quintessential residential neighbourhood, renowned for being safe, quiet and chic. It is home to a large expat community.  
• Chapinero: the trendy neighbourhood, with a bohemian vibe and numerous restaurants and bars. The neighbourhoods of El Chico, El Nogal and Chapinero Alto are the most sought-after. 
• La Candelaria: this historic neighbourhood is known for its cultural richness, featuring typical colonial architecture (colourful houses, cobbled streets…) and numerous museums and monuments. It is also known for its vibrant arts scene all year round. 

Medellín 

In recent years, Medellín has experienced a real boom and has attracted many expats thanks to its quality of life and excellent value for money. Nicknamed ‘the city of eternal spring’, it enjoys a mild climate all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 16°C to 26°C. 

Most expats settle in the districts of El Poblado, Laureles or Envigado.  

Cali 

Cali is the world capital of salsa. A title that perfectly reflects life in the city: lively, vibrant and festive. The city hosts several renowned festivals, such as the World Salsa Festival and the Feria de Cali. It is Colombia’s third-largest city, making it an important economic hub.  

Neighbourhoods such as San Antonio, Granada and El Peñón are very lively, whilst the areas further north and west of the city are quieter. 

Please note: Cali suffered a series of attacks in June and August 2025, carried out by the armed dissident group EMC. Foreign nationals are therefore advised against settling in the region whilst the risk of attacks remains high.  

Barranquilla 

Located in northern Colombia, Barranquilla is home to one of the country’s most important ports. It is a major commercial and cultural hub, prized for its professional opportunities and its proximity to the Caribbean Sea. 

The neighbourhoods most popular with expats are El Prado and Alto Prado.  .

Cartagena 

Cartagena is a port city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It boasts a rich historical heritage (fortress, ramparts, forts, etc.) and beautiful beaches thanks to its location on the Caribbean coast. The city offers a vibrant lifestyle and is very popular with tourists during the high season. 

Expatriates generally live in the neighbourhoods of Bocagrande, El Laguito or Manga. 

And where should you avoid settling in Colombia? 

Some countries, including France, advise against settling in the department of Chocó, in north-western Colombia, due to the presence of armed drug traffickers. 

Due to the number of arrests and detentions at the border with Venezuela, it is also advised against settling in a border area between the two countries. 

The cost of living in Colombia for an expat 

The cost of living in Colombia is one of the lowest in Latin America. A single person needs €750 per month, whilst a family of four should budget for €2,200 per month. These estimates include the main areas of expenditure: housing, groceries, transport, education, healthcare and leisure. 

For a flat in the city centre, expect an average rent of €300 to €650 per month, depending on the size of the property. As for groceries, the price of basic foodstuffs is relatively low, though the budget required depends on your spending habits.  

What salary is needed to live comfortably in Colombia? 

To live well in Colombia, you need a monthly income of over €750, which is more than the national average wage of €550.  

This is generally the case for expats, who tend to earn higher salaries and often hold positions of responsibility.  

Getting around like a local 

Taking the bus: 

The bus is the most commonly used form of local transport among residents. There are numerous routes covering a large part of Colombia. In addition to standard buses, you’ll find the ‘corriente’, often older buses that stop anywhere without a specific station. 

For long-distance journeys, opt for the Expreso Brasilia or Coomotor companies, renowned for their comfort. 

Opt for flights: 

Flying is the quickest and most convenient way to travel between two distant cities. Local airlines Avianca and LATAM Airlines offer excellent services at good value for money. 

Taking the metro…only in Medellín: 

The city is the only one with a metro system. It comprises two main lines and three suburban lines. 

To check routes and buy tickets, visit the metro’s official website, which also helps you plan journeys using the city’s other transport options. Visit it here: https://www.metrodemedellin.gov.co/en/home-en 

Taking a taxi: 

In major cities, there are plenty of taxis and they operate on a meter. The starting fare is €1.40, then €1.55 per additional kilometre. 

But be careful: in rural areas, the meter is not used; fares are fixed per journey, and it is common to haggle! 

For drivers: 

Pour conduire en Colombie, vous devez obtenir un permis colombien, car le pays ne reconnaît pas le permis international. Si vous possédez un permis de conduire français, ce dernier reste valide 90 jours.

Working in Colombia as an expat 

An expat wishing to work in Colombia must obtain a suitable visa and a residence permit. 

Despite an unemployment rate of 8.8% in 2025, there are still plenty of job opportunities for foreigners in major cities, particularly with international companies seeking qualified candidates. 

The sectors recruiting the most expats are: 

• Mining 
• Oil 
• New technologies 
• Education 
• Pharmaceuticals 
• Hospitality and catering 
• Finance 

The working week in Colombia is 46 hours, but a gradual reduction is planned to reach 42 hours by 2026. 

Employees are entitled to 15 days’ paid annual leave, and Colombia has 18 public holidays a year, which is well above the average.  

Family life in the country 

Education is generally bilingual (Spanish and English).  

Healthcare in Colombia 

The healthcare system: 

In Colombia, around 95% of residents are covered by the universal healthcare system, which is based on two complementary schemes: 

• A contributory scheme for the majority of the population; 
• A subsidised scheme for the disadvantaged. 

Each employee contributes around 12.5% of their salary to the Colombian healthcare system, of which up to 8.5% is paid by the employer and the remainder by the employee. 

Quality of care: 

Colombia has high-quality medical facilities, particularly in Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. Among the best hospitals are: 

• Fundación Santa Fe in Bogotá 
• Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe in Medellín 
• Fundación Valle del Lili in Cali 

The Colombian healthcare system nevertheless faces numerous challenges, including:  

• Regional disparities: some regions have outdated infrastructure or poor hygiene standards; 
• Long waiting times: in the public sector, it is common to have to wait several weeks before receiving treatment. 

Private health insurance: 

Expatriates often take out supplementary private health insurance for protection. Some opt for international private health insurance, such as that offered by Global Health. We have specialised in covering expatriates for over 10 years. 

With our insurance, you benefit from: 

• The freedom to choose where you receive treatment 
• Cover valid anywhere in the world 
• Reduced waiting times 
• An online second medical opinion 
• Additional wellbeing services, including a fitness programme and mental health coaching