Colombia

"Libertad y orden" ("Freedom and order")

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Welcome to Colombia

Colombia, with its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, is known for its coffee and emeralds. Its economy is growing, with expanding tourism, agriculture, and tech sectors, making it an attractive hub for innovation.

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Colombia Essentials

Inno nazionale

Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia

Giorno dell'Indipendenza

July 20, 1810

Haiko

Coffee plantations / Emerald mountains lush and green / Cartagena's charm

Interesting Tradition

Holds the Barranquilla Carnival the second largest carnival in South America

Weirdest Local Superstition

Putting a broom upside down behind a door to get rid of guests

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to portray Santa in ads for alcohol

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the diversity, stay for the dynamism: Colombia captivates with its extraordinary variety, from Caribbean beaches to Andean peaks, and colonial towns to modern metropolises. The warmth of everyday life—sharing arepas at breakfast or dancing salsa at sunset—complements the country's economic momentum. Recent digital nomad initiatives and investment-friendly policies have transformed Colombia into a magnet for global entrepreneurs and remote workers seeking vibrant cultural immersion.

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Vámonos

Step into a land where 'berraquera' isn't just attitude, but the spirit of transformation. Here, each day writes a new story of possibility.

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Bienvenidos a Colombia

Known for its coffee Colombia is where every cup comes with a side of salsa

Colombia isn't just a country—it's an explosion of life's colors. Here, time moves to the rhythm of cumbia, and even a simple coffee break becomes a lesson in world-class agriculture. This is a land where warmth flows from both the people and the tropical sun.

From the colonial splendor of Cartagena to the coffee-covered hills of the Zona Cafetera, Colombia offers experiences for every passionate traveler. Whether you're drawn to the innovative spirit of Medellín, the Amazon's mysteries, or the Caribbean charm of Santa Marta, you'll find a nation that's mastered the art of joyful living.

Statistiche

Savor the Flavor

Eat

bandeja paisa (platter with beans rice and meat) - arepas (corn patties)

Drink

aguardiente (anise-flavored spirit) - refajo (beer and cola mix)

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Unas bebidas?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

49

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.69

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.02

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Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Dance knowledge is socially important
#2
Coffee rituals are part of daily life
#3
Regional identity is strongly maintained
#4
Emerald knowledge shows cultural awareness
#5
Family events include extended family

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Colombia Essentials

Representative Novel

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (Nobel Prize in Literature, magical realism set in fictional Colombian town)

National Animal

Andean Condor

National Pasttime

Calcio (Soccer)

Souvenir nazionale

Handwoven mochila bag

Piatto nazionale

Bandeja paisa

Festival famoso

Carnival of Barranquilla

Danza famosa

Cumbia

Musica famosa

Cumbia

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Did You Know?

Colombia is the second most diverse country in the world.

It’s only second to its Amazon-sharing neighbour, Brazil.

Colombia has the second largest carnival celebration in the world.

After carnival in Brazil, Colombia hosts the second largest carnival celebration in the Caribbean town of Barranquilla.

Bogota is one of the Highest Cities in the World.

Colombia’s capital, Bogota, is one of the highest major cities in the world at 8,360ft.

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Colombia’s Key Historical Events

1,819

Aprile 2014

Simon Bolivar defeats the Spanish at the Battle of Boyaca, leading to the formation of the Republic of Gran Colombia.

1899-1902

Luglio 2014

The War of the Thousand Days': A civil war between Liberals and Conservatives claims around 120,000 lives.

1948-57

Febbraio 2015

La Violencia': Civil war between Liberals and Conservatives kills 250,000-300,000 people.

1993

Marzo 2015

Pablo Escobar, leader of the Medellin drug cartel, is shot dead while trying to evade arrest.

2016

Ottobre 2016

The government and Farc rebels sign a historic peace accord ending 52 years of armed conflict.

MOBILITY

Access Colombia Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

2

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Conditional
Citizenship by DESCENT
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
2 years
DUAL Citizenship
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

118

Performance Class

Global Contender

Grado del passaporto

B

Rank

70

Score

132.4

This visa grants access to:

• 34% of the world's population 

• 67% of UNESCO sites 

• 38% of global GDP 

• 43% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Accesso senza visto a:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Colombia by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Colombia
8,586
7,301
9,667
6,336
12,492
12,673
15,209

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobilità
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Requisito della presenza fisica
Costo della vita
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

Colombia's Global Rankings 

Colombia offers highly affordable living costs (#102) and well-accessible healthcare (#36). While facing some challenges in safety metrics our analysis covers its performance across various quality of life indicators.

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
102
Costo della vita
2024
Highly Affordable
67
Quality of Life
2024
Standard
146
Safety
2024
Basso
78
Happiness
2024
Average
148
Tax Burden
2024
Moderate Load
75
English Proficiency
2023
Low Proficiency
94
Rule of Law
2024
Weak
36
Healthcare System
2024
Well-Accessible
24
Pleasant Climate
2024
Pleasant

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Età mediana

31.6

years

Life Expectancy

78.2

years

Obesity Rate

22.00%

Tobacco Use

11.20%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

9.02%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.7

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.325

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

13.67%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Public and Private Healthcare Systems

Colombia has both public and private healthcare systems, with public insurance known as EPS covering essential services for citizens and residents.

High-Quality Private Care

The private healthcare system in Colombia is world-renowned, with many international patients coming for affordable, high-quality treatments.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates living in Colombia can access both the public EPS system and private healthcare options for more specialized or faster care.

Medical Tourism Destination

Colombia is a popular destination for medical tourism, offering top-tier care in areas like cosmetic surgery, dental care, and specialized treatments.

Pharmaceutical Affordability

Medications in Colombia are relatively inexpensive compared to many Western countries, with easy access to a range of pharmaceutical products.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Panoramica del costo della vita

Colombia provides a relatively low cost of living, especially appealing to expats. Bogotá and Medellín are more expensive than other areas but still affordable by international standards. Housing costs vary widely, with high-end apartments in affluent areas being pricier. Food is generally inexpensive, especially local produce and street food. Utilities are moderately priced. Public transportation is affordable but can be crowded in major cities.

Cost of Gasoline

$0.90

per liter

Cost of Meal

$4.79

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$349.72

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$80.42

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$1.20

(0.5 liter draught)

Aliquota IVA

19%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Tassazione

Panoramica sulla tassazione

Understanding Colombia's tax environment is essential before moving there.+Colombia imposes taxes on resident expatriates based on their worldwide income while non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income at progressive rates ranging from 19% to 39%. Social security contributions are required. A Número de Identificación Tributaria (NIT) is necessary for individuals conducting business in Colombia.+Colombia does not have a double taxation treaty with the United States, which may affect financial planning for U.S.-citizens living in Colombia.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

US Double Taxation Treaty

No

Reddito personale

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

19%-39%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

10%

Eredità

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%-10%

Reddito d'impresa

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

35%

Plusvalenze aziendali

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

15%

Dividendi

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

0%-20%

Interesse

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

20%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

20%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if they remain in the country for 183 days or more within a 365-day period.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

148

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

58.6

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

71.2
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

255.5
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

10

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

48.2
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Average Temperature

25.00 °C

Humidity

75

%

Average Annual Precipitation

3,240

mm

Rainless Days per Year

231

Best Time to Travel

December-March

Domande?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Colombia

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Colombia.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Colombia?

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Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for residency or citizenship in Colombia?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Colombia with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Colombia?

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Posso mantenere la mia cittadinanza?

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Articoli sulle risorse per la mobilità

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