Living in Colombia

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Help forfrom Britishthe citizensColombian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Colombia.Colombia, Readyou aboutmay howbe ourable Embassyto inget Colombiahelp can help.from:

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• the informationColombian isConsulate providedin asLondon a(in guideSpanish)
• Colombia only.Migration You(‘Migración shouldColombia’) get(in definitiveSpanish)
• Colombia informationMigration fromapp the(‘Migración ColombianColombia’) authorities.(in Spanish)

The Foreign,UK Commonwealthgovernment &and Developmentthe OfficeBritish (FCDO)Embassy isin notBogotá liablecannot forgive anypersonalised inaccuraciesadvice inon thismoving information.to, living or retiring in Colombia.

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Professional ourhelp informationin onColombia

You thecan Supportalso forget Britishhelp Nationalsfrom AbroadEnglish-speaking onlineprofessionals guidein thatColombia, setsincluding:

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Toincludes staythe uplatest toinformation date:on:

• Signvisas upand forentry email alertsrequirements
• Followlaws theand Britishcultural Embassydifferences
• safety in Colombia on Twitter and Facebook security

Before you go

SeeRead our travelguidance adviceon formoving, Colombialiving foror up-to-dateretiring informationabroad.

Get onhelp entryfrom requirements,the localUK lawsgovernment andabroad, customs,including safetyin andan emergencies.emergency.

VisasVisas, residency and residencycitizenship

CheckMake thesure Colombiayou meet the entry requirements infor ourColombia travelbefore advice.you travel.

Visas

BritishCheck nationalswhich canColombian entervisa Colombia(in forSpanish) upyou need to 90live daysin asColombia.

You acan visitorget without a visa atto:

• work
• study
• retire
• live thewith discretionfamily ofin theColombia
• invest Colombianor Immigrationdo Officerbusiness onin arrival. Colombia

You may need to provideregister evidenceyour ofvisa returnonline or onward travel. If you’re issued with a Colombian visa with more than 90 days’ validity, you must register the visa at a Migraciónlocal Colombia officeMigration oroffice.

Read onlineour withinguidance 15on daysapplying offor arrivala visa in Colombia, or face fines. Check the latest entry requirements withfor the Colombian Consulate GeneralColombia. inThis Londonincludes beforehow youto travel.

Youregister mayand be able to extend your stayvisa. onceYou youcan arealso incontact Colombia byMigration up(‘Migración toColombia’) 120(in daysSpanish) byor applyinguse at the immigrationColombia officeMigration Migraciónapp Colombia.(in AsSpanish) afor visitor,more youinformation.

Registering cannotas remaina inresident 

If Colombiayour visa is valid for more than 18090 daysdays, inyou anymust 12-monthregister period.as Don’ta overstayresident. yourThis visa,allows you willto beget fineda orforeigner’s riskidentity deportationcard at(‘cédula yourde own cost.extranjería’).

IfYou you’remust ado British/Colombianthis dualwithin national,15 youdays mustof enteryour andvisa leavestart Colombiadate. usingYou yourmay Colombianget passporta andfine Colombianif identificationyou carddo (Cédula).not.

IfTo youregister, enterbook Colombiaan byappointment land,at youyour shouldlocal makeColombia sureMigration your(‘Migración passportColombia’) isoffice stamped(in bySpanish). theBefore immigrationyour authorities.appointment, Failurefill toout dothe soonline mayregistration resultform in(in aSpanish).

If fineyou onhave departure.any Ifproblems theor immigrationquestions officeabout onregistering theand bordergetting isyour closed,foreigner’s seekID helpcard, atcontact:

• Colombia theMigration nearest(‘Migración officeColombia’) of(in MigraciónSpanish)
• Colombia Colombia.

  CheckMigration theusing Colombiantheir Ministryapp of(in ForeignSpanish)

• an AffairsEnglish-speaking –lawyer Cancilleríain websiteColombia,

Permanent forresidency

You moremay informationbe onable theto Colombianapply visafor requirements,a costs,resident’s application,visa andif typesyou ofmeet visas.

Passportsthe andeligibility travel

Youcriteria. canThis applyvisa forallows oryou renewto yourlive Britishin passportColombia from Colombia.permanently.

CheckTo thefind Colombia’sout travelif adviceyou’re foreligible passportand validityhow requirements.to apply:

Healthcare

• read inguidance Colombia

Ifon youqualified haveresidents’ avisas

contact healthColombia condition,Migration or(‘Migración youColombia’) are(in pregnant,Spanish)

use youthe mayColombia needMigration specialistapp healthcare(in abroad.Spanish)

Citizenship

Colombia Checkrecognises whetherdual yourcitizenship. destinationThis countrymeans canthat provide the healthcare you maydo neednot andhave ensureto yougive haveup appropriate(renounce) travelyour insuranceBritish forcitizenship unexpectedto medicalbecome evacuationa orColombian localcitizen. treatment. 

MedicalTo facilitiesfind inout Colombiaif varyyou’re widelyeligible infor quality.Colombian Incitizenship:

• read largeguidance citieson andColombian statenationality capitals,(in privateSpanish)
• contact clinicsthe provideColombian goodMinistry qualityof careForeign forAffairs routine(‘Cancillería’) treatments(in andSpanish)
• contact complexthe treatments.Colombian MakeConsulate surein youLondon have(in adequateSpanish)

Help travelwith healthvisa, insuranceresidency and accessiblecitizenship fundsapplications

The toBritish coverEmbassy thein costBogotá ofcannot anyhelp medicalwith treatmentColombian abroadvisa, andresidency repatriation.or Notcitizenship allapplications.

For travelany healthquestions insurance policies provide cover for private, or emergencyissues, medicalcontact:

• Colombia careMigration so(‘Migración checkColombia’) your(in policySpanish)
• Colombia beforeMigration travelling.using Publictheir healthapp facilities(in andSpanish)
• the thoseColombian Consulate in smallerLondon cities(in areSpanish)
• an generallyEnglish-speaking illlawyer equippedin Colombia

Passports and poorlytravel

Read funded.our Ambulanceguidance serviceson inmoving, remoteliving areasor areretiring unreliableabroad. andThis publiccovers hospitalshow often lack adequate medical supplies.to:

You

• apply canfor finda mostBritish medicationpassport infrom pharmaciesabroad
• travel inurgently largewithout cities,your butBritish medicinepassport

Dual forcitizens complextravelling treatmentto maythe beUK

When unavailabletravelling into ruralthe areasUK, andBritish smallcitizens towns.must Youcarry maya needvalid aBritish prescriptionpassport fromor acertificate localof doctorentitlement. toRead getguidance someon controlleddual medicine.citizenship.

Pharmacies

Resident inchildren Colombiatravelling arewithout knowna asparent “droguerías”.or Theylegal canguardian 

Read bethe identifiedentry withrequirements afor crossColombia for information on theletters logoof andauthority canfor beresident easilychildren accessedtravelling inoutside the maincountry citieswithout ina Colombia,parent butor arelegal lessguardian.

Children accessibleaged in17 ruraland areas.under Mostmust pharmaciescarry in Colombia will have a deliveryletter service.of Youauthority should(in noteSpanish) thatif prescriptionsthey’re musttravelling beout writtenof inColombia Spanish,without intheir theparent metricor systemlegal and using the medicine’s generic name.guardian.

IfFor youmore needinformation, emergencycontact:

• the medicalColombian assistanceembassy duringin yourthe trip,UK
• Colombia youMigration should(‘Migración dialColombia’) 123(in toSpanish)
• Colombia askMigration forusing assistancetheir app (in Spanish).Spanish)

Healthcare Contactin yourColombia insurance/medical  

Read assistanceour companyguidance promptlyon ifmoving, youliving areor referredretiring toabroad. aThis medicalcovers facilityhow forto:

• plan treatment.your Checkhealthcare
• take themedicine followingabroad

Colombia linkdoes tonot registerhave fora healthcarereciprocal accesshealth ifagreement youwith arethe aUK.

If you’re resident in Colombia.Colombia, If you cannotcan register forwith healthcare,the youpublic musthealthcare ensuresystem you(‘Sistema haveGeneral privatede healthcareSeguridad coverSocial foren Colombia.Salud’ or ‘SGSSS’).

NOTE: UKYou Travelor insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcareemployer costsmust ifpay youa livemonthly overseas.

Health risks

UK health authoritiesinsurance havecontribution. classifiedThis Colombiais asusually havingaround a12.5% risk of Zikayour virusincome. transmission. For more informationinformation, andread advice,the visitColombian thegovernment’s websiteguidance ofon the Nationalhealth Travelinsurance Healthsystem Network(in and Centre websiteSpanish).

DengueYou fever,can malaria,also yellowget feverprivate andhealth Chikungunyainsurance virusfrom areColombian presentor throughoutinternational theproviders.

To country,find althoughout thehow coastalto andget southernmedical statestreatment:

• contact withyour lowerinsurance altitudesprovider
• read areguidance theon mosthealth affected,in especiallyColombia
• find duringEnglish-speaking ormedical shortlyfacilities afterand thedoctors rainyfor seasonBritish betweenNationals Aprilin andColombia

Working November.in YouColombia

Read shouldour takeguidance stepson tomoving, avoidliving beingor bittenretiring by mosquitoesabroad.

Tap waterThis iscovers safeworking toabroad, drinkincluding onlydocuments inyou Bogota.may Youneed shouldfrom drinkthe onlyUK bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.government.

Medicine

IfTo youwork arein onColombia, a prescription for any medication, you shouldneed ensure you have a supplyColombian ofvisa it,(in orSpanish). areRead ablethe toColombian obtainMinistry itof whenForeign inAffairs’ Colombia.(‘Cancillería’) Youguidance willon bethe responsiblecategories forof determiningvisas your medication legality in Colombia.Colombia.

Recognition Youof shouldqualifications

If consultyou yourwant GP before travelling to Colombiawork toin findColombia, outyou aboutmay anyneed alternativeto medication.get Always keep your medicationforeign inqualifications therecognised.

For originalmore container,information, bringread sufficientguidance quantitieson:

• validation of yourqualifications medication(‘convalidación’) with you, pack your medication in yourColombia carry-on(in luggageSpanish)
• the UK and carryColombia’s aAgreement copyon of your prescriptions.

  Read the guidanceMutual ifRecognition youof need to travel with medicinesDegrees

WorkingDriving in ColombiaColombia  

IfRead youour areguidance planningon tomoving, moveliving toor Colombiaretiring andabroad. work,This youcovers shouldhow applyto:

• drive forabroad alegally
• take visayour orUK permitvehicle atabroad
• get thedriving nearestlicence Colombian consulate or embassy. letters

If youyou’re areresident in theColombia, UK you canmust contactapply thefor a Colombian Consulatedriving inlicence. London.

CheckRead the Colombian Ministry of ForeignJustice’s Affairsguidance –on Cancilleríawhat website,you forneed moreto informationdo onto theget a Colombian visadriving requirements,licence costs,(in application, and types of visas.Spanish).

For residencemore requirementsinformation, andread informationabout onroad obtainingtravel anin identityColombia, cardin knownsafety asand Cédulasecurity dein Extranjería (CE), contact the Colombiantravel Immigrationadvice authoritiesfor Colombia.

Studying in Colombia

If you aredrive planningin tosome studycities in Colombia, you shouldwill applyneed forto afollow visavehicle orrestrictions permitdepending aton theyour nearestnumber Colombianplate. consulateCheck orPico embassy.y IfPlaca youHoy arefor incity thespecific UKinformation.

Disabled youdrivers

You can contactbuy thedisabled Colombianparking Consulatepermits in London.

CheckColombia thebut Colombianthey Ministryare ofnot Foreignvalid Affairsfor –parking Cancilleríain website,disabled forspaces. moreTo informationuse ondisabled theparking Colombianspaces, visaget requirements,a costs,disability application,certificate andfrom typesthe Ministry of visas.

Tax

ForHealth informationand ondisplay taxes,it pleasein contactyour thevehicle.

If Direccionyou dehave Impuestosa yUK AduanasBlue NacionalesBadge and checklive thein TaxColombia, treatiesyou andmust relatedreturn documentsit betweento the original UK andissuing Colombia.authority.

Tax

YouRead shouldour getguidance professional advice on payingmoving, taxliving inor Colombia.retiring Find an English-speaking lawyer in Colombia.abroad

Read. guidanceThis on:

• Taxcovers iftax, youincluding leavepaying the UK totax liveand abroad
• TaxNational onInsurance.

  The your UK incomehas ifa youdouble livetaxation abroad

• Taxagreement ifwith youColombia getso athat pensionyou anddo livenot abroad
• Payingpay Nationaltax Insuranceon whilethe abroadsame toincome protectin yourboth Statecountries.

  Contact Pensionthe andColombian entitlementNational toDirectorate otherof benefitsTaxes and allowances.

Benefits

CheckCustoms which(‘DIAN’) UK(in benefitsSpanish) youfor canany claimquestions whileabout abroaddouble andtaxation how to claim them.relief.

ManyConsider income-relatedgetting benefitsprofessional suchadvice ason Pensionpaying Credittax andin HousingColombia Benefit(in cannotSpanish). beTo paiddo ifthis, you’refind abroadan forEnglish-speaking morelawyer thanin 4 weeks.Colombia.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read Stateour Pension guidance ifon youmoving, haveliving lived in Australia, Canada or Newretiring Zealandabroad. andThis you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.covers:

If

• how youto retire in Colombia, you can claim your UK State Pension
• where orthe new UK Stategovernment Pension.pays Contactan theannual Internationalincrease Pensionin Centrethe forState further information.
  Pension

Life

Claiming certificatesa forColombian UK State Pensions

pension

IfContact youColpensiones get(in aSpanish) ‘lifeto certificate’find fromout thewhether UK Pension Service, you mustcan respondclaim asa soonColombian aspension possible.(in YourSpanish). payments may be suspended if you do not. 

Money bankingBenefits

US

Claiming dollarsUK and Euros are widely exchangeable.

benefits

CreditRead andour Debitguidance cardson aremoving, widelyliving acceptedor inretiring Colombiaabroad. butThis usecovers withhow care and keep receipts. When using an ATM, try to doclaim soUK duringbenefits businessabroad, hoursincluding insideChild aBenefit.

Claiming bank,Colombian supermarketbenefits

You ormay largebe commercialentitled building.to Besome particularlyColombian vigilantbenefits beforeif andyou afterhave usingpaid ansocial ATMsecurity on the street - robberies are common, especially at night.contributions. 

IfTo openingfind aout personalif bankyou’re account,eligible youand willhow be expected to submitclaim:

• read certainguidance documents.on Pleasesocial asksecurity the(‘Asistencia bankSocial’) ofin yourColombia choice(in aboutSpanish)
• contact the requirements.Ministry Forof informationHealth onsocial thesecurity bankingportal rules(in Spanish)

Buying and privaterenting fundsproperty (AFP) regulations in Colombia,Colombia

Read pleaseour contactguidance theon Superintendenciamoving, Finacieraliving deor Colombiaretiring abroad. This institutioncovers regulatesbuying and supervisesrenting theproperty financial,abroad.

Contact insurancean andEnglish-speaking privatelawyer fundsin systems,Colombia andif preventsyou’re andconsidering detects money laundering and terrorism financing.

Accommodation and buying property

See buyingor a property abroad.land.

DrivingVoting in Colombia

UK elections

IfRead you’reour visitingguidance Colombia,on youmoving, canliving driveor withretiring aabroad. validThis UKcovers drivinghow licenceto:

• vote forin theUK durationelections offrom yourabroad
• register legalas stay.an overseas voter

Colombian elections

If you’reyou livingare resident in Colombia, you willcan needvote toin applymunicipal forand adistrict localelections drivingin licence.your Moremost informationrecent isplace availableof fromresidency.

Read the Colombian MinistryNational ofCivil Transport.Registry’s guide to elections in Colombia (in Spanish).

Studying in Colombia

If you’reyou planningplan to hirestudy ain car,Colombia, checkyou withmust yourmeet carall hirevisa companyrequirements for(in informationSpanish) on their requirements before you travel.

DrivingFor standardsmore areinformation:

• read poorguidance andon traffictravel accidentsgrants arefor common.students Avoidstudying drivingabroad ator night,on whichplacements can(England)
• contact beyour particularlyhigher hazardous.education Don’tprovider hitch-hike. The risk of violence and kidnapping is higher in somethe ruralUK areas,or andColombia
• contact therethe isColombian aMinistry risk of beingNational caughtEducation in(in roadblocksSpanish)

Children

Read setour upguidance byon illegalmoving, armedliving groups.or Mainretiring roadsabroad. areThis generallycovers safemoving duringabroad daylightwith hours.children, including:

The

• getting departmentalpermission capitalsto oftake Amazonas,your Vaupeschild andabroad
• claiming GuainíaUK areChild onlyBenefit accessibleabroad
• child bymaintenance airpayments dueif toa theparent lacklives ofabroad

Schools roadand infrastructure in these departments.

education

ReadThe theColombian guidanceMinistry onof whatNational actionsEducation youprovides mustinformation doabout tothe driveschool legallysystem in Colombia.

DrivingColombia abroad(in https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroadSpanish).

IfAll youchildren areaged asked5 forto a16 lettermust authenticating,attend certifyingschool or validatinghome yourschool UK driver’s licence, you should follow the information available on drive legally in Colombia.

GuidanceFor formore travellinginformation, byread roadguidance inon Colombiarequirements seeto https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia/safety-and-security

Ifenrol youyour wishchild toin takepublic yourschools vehiclein withColombia you,(in see https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-ukSpanish).

Disabled drivers

Childcare

IfThe youColombian haveInstitute afor UKFamily BlueWelfare Badge(in Spanish) and liveColombian inMinistry Colombia,of youNational mustEducation return(in itSpanish) toare theresponsible originalfor UKearly issuingchildhood authority.

Voting

Foreigneducation nationals resident in Colombia can vote in municipal and districtcare elections in theColombia. last place where they had established their place of residency. They can elect Local Administrative Boards, Municipal Councils and Mayors. They cannot elect Governor or Assembly. 

YouFor canmore findinformation, furtherread informationguidance on theearly Registraduríachildhood Nacionalservices del Estado Civil website.

You may be able to vote in someColombia UK(in elections. You can:Spanish).

• Check if you are able to vote
• Register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriagemarriages and civil partnershippartnerships

Births

If your child is born in ColombiaColombia, you should register the birth with the localColombian authorities. InRead the followingColombian link,government’s youguidance canon checkbirth theregistration nearest(in Civil Registry OfficeSpanish). toIf makeyou’re aoutside reservation. YouBogotá canyou’ll thenneed registerto withmake thean UKappointment authoritiesat andyour applylocal forCivil aRegistry UKOffice birth(in certificate.Spanish).

IfRead yourour childguidance hason Britishmoving, nationality, youliving door notretiring needabroad. toThis covers how to:

• register the birth with the UK authoritiesUK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
• apply for ayour child’s first British passport..
  passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in ColombiaColombia, read our guidance on:

• Whatwhat to do ifwhen someone dies abroadin Colombia
• BereavementEnglish-speaking guidancefuneral fordirectors in Colombia
• English-speakingdeath funeralregistration directors in Colombia (in Spanish)

MarriageMarriages and civil partnershippartnerships

FindRead outour howguidance youon canmoving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroadabroad.

Pets

To

Divorce enterand orseparation

Read leaveour Colombiaguidance withon amoving, pet,living pleaseor checkretiring the Colombian government control agency Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario.abroad

Emergencies

Dial. theThis 123covers forhow emergencies,to theget policea divorce or ambulanceend servicesa orcivil dial:partnership.

• 111

  The forColombian disastersMinistry attention

• 112of forJustice emergencies
• 119(in forSpanish) theoffers fireguidance brigade
• 123on togetting report a missingdivorce child
• 141in forColombia.

  Consider childrentaking andlegal youngadvice people’sfrom protection

• 144an forEnglish-speaking civillawyer servicesin (DefensaColombia.

  Documents Civil)

• 132 for ColombianBritish Redpeople Cross
• 165in forColombia

  Read GAULAour -guidance Anti-kidnappingon Police

• 167documents for Anti-kidnapping,British Anti-Terrorismpeople andabroad. Anti-ExtortionThis Police line
covers: 
• 147legalising for Anti-kidnapping, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Extortioncertifying ArmyUK linedocuments
• 106marriage for mental health crisis and psychosocialcivil support
• 156partnership for CAI - Immediate Attention Centre (Centro de Atención Inmediata)documents
• 155affirmations to report domestic violence cases and Purple line (women’s helpline): +57 018000112137 / WhatsApp +573007551846affidavits
• ‘#767witnessing for National Roads Institute (INVÍAS)signatures

If

Lawyers, youtranslators haveand beennotaries

To thefind victiman ofEnglish-speaking alawyer, rapetranslator or sexualnotary assault in Colombia, read theguidance Colombia:on informationprofessional forservices victimsif ofyou’re rape and sexual assault.abroad.

Pets

If you arewant theto victimbring ofyour apet crime,with haveyou beento arrested,Colombia, orread areguidance affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy in Colombia.on:

Read

• importing thepets guidanceto onColombia international(in parental child abductionSpanish)
• taking if your childpet maydog, becat ator riskferret ofto this.
  a non-EU country

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanentlythe UK permanently. whichThis includes information on bringing family members,members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only.  For definitive information, contact the Colombian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.