Getting help with living in Colombia
Help from the Colombian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Colombia, you may be able to get help from:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Bogotá cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Colombia.
Professional help in Colombia
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Colombia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Colombia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Colombia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Colombia before you travel.
Visas
Check which Colombian visa (in Spanish) you need to live in Colombia.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire
- live with family in Colombia
- invest or do business in Colombia
You may need to register your visa online or at a local Colombia Migration office.
Read our guidance on applying for a visa in the entry requirements for Colombia. This includes how to register and extend your visa. You can also contact Colombia Migration (‘Migración Colombia’) (in Spanish) or use the Colombia Migration app (in Spanish) for more information.
Registering as a resident
If your visa is valid for more than 90 days, you must register as a resident. This allows you to get a foreigner’s identity card (‘cédula de extranjería’).
You must do this within 15 days of your visa start date. You may get a fine if you do not.
To register, book an appointment at your local Colombia Migration (‘Migración Colombia’) office (in Spanish). Before your appointment, fill out the online registration form (in Spanish).
If you have any problems or questions about registering and getting your foreigner’s ID card, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for a resident’s visa if you meet the eligibility criteria. This visa allows you to live in Colombia permanently.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:
Citizenship
Colombia recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Colombian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Colombian citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Bogotá cannot help with Colombian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Read the entry requirements for Colombia for information on letters of authority for resident children travelling outside the country without a parent or legal guardian.
Children aged 17 and under must carry a letter of authority (in Spanish) if they’re travelling out of Colombia without their parent or legal guardian.
For more information, contact:
Healthcare in Colombia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Colombia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
If you’re resident in Colombia, you can register with the public healthcare system (‘Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud’ or ‘SGSSS’).
You or your employer must pay a monthly health insurance contribution. This is usually around 12.5% of your income. For more information, read the Colombian government’s guidance on the health insurance system (in Spanish).
You can also get private health insurance from Colombian or international providers.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Working in Colombia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Colombia, you need a Colombian visa (in Spanish). Read the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (‘Cancillería’) guidance on the categories of visas in Colombia.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Colombia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
For more information, read guidance on:
Driving in Colombia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
If you’re resident in Colombia, you must apply for a Colombian driving licence. Read the Colombian Ministry of Justice’s guidance on what you need to do to get a Colombian driving licence (in Spanish).
For more information, read about road travel in Colombia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Colombia.
If you drive in some cities in Colombia, you will need to follow vehicle restrictions depending on your number plate. Check Pico y Placa Hoy for city specific information.
Disabled drivers
You can buy disabled parking permits in Colombia but they are not valid for parking in disabled spaces. To use disabled parking spaces, get a disability certificate from the Ministry of Health and display it in your vehicle.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Colombia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Colombia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Colombian National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (‘DIAN’) (in Spanish) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Colombia (in Spanish). To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Colombia.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Colombian pension
Contact Colpensiones (in Spanish) to find out whether you can claim a Colombian pension (in Spanish).
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Colombian benefits
You may be entitled to some Colombian benefits if you have paid social security contributions.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
Buying and renting property in Colombia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Colombia if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Colombia
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Colombian elections
If you are resident in Colombia, you can vote in municipal and district elections in your most recent place of residency.
Read the Colombian National Civil Registry’s guide to elections in Colombia (in Spanish).
Studying in Colombia
If you plan to study in Colombia, you must meet all visa requirements (in Spanish) before you travel.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Colombian Ministry of National Education provides information about the school system in Colombia (in Spanish).
All children aged 5 to 16 must attend school or home school in Colombia.
For more information, read guidance on requirements to enrol your child in public schools in Colombia (in Spanish).
Childcare
The Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (in Spanish) and Colombian Ministry of National Education (in Spanish) are responsible for early childhood education and care in Colombia.
For more information, read guidance on early childhood services in Colombia (in Spanish).
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Colombia, register the birth with the Colombian authorities. Read the Colombian government’s guidance on birth registration (in Spanish). If you’re outside Bogotá you’ll need to make an appointment at your local Civil Registry Office (in Spanish).
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British 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 Colombia, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Colombian Ministry of Justice (in Spanish) offers guidance on getting a divorce in Colombia.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Colombia.
Documents for British people in Colombia
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Colombia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Colombia, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family 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.
