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🇨🇴 Colombia

Moving Guide

Moving to Colombia is logistically straightforward for most Western nationalities - arrive on a tourist stamp, settle in, then apply for the right long-term visa. The key is doing the first 90 days right..

Data verified August 13, 2026

90 days

Visa-Free Tourist Entry

Extendable to 180 days for most nationalities

COP 10,000–25,000

SIM Card Cost

Claro/Movistar prepaid, available at airports

$2,500–5,000

Container Shipping (20ft, US)

Varies by origin port and season

$80–150/mo

Spanish Classes (Intensive)

Group classes; private from $15–25/hr

Required

Health Insurance (Day 1)

Private prepagada or international policy

Overview

Moving to Colombia is logistically straightforward for most Western nationalities - arrive on a tourist stamp, settle in, then apply for the right long-term visa. The key is doing the first 90 days right.

Key Takeaways

  • Health insurance: arrange international health coverage before departure - SafetyWing ($45/mo), Cigna Global, or GeoBlue all accepted for visa purposes
  • Airport arrival: get a local SIM at the airport (Claro or Movistar kiosks - from COP 10,000); Uber or airport taxi to your accommodation
  • Luggage-only move: the most common strategy - buy furniture and appliances locally (very affordable in Colombia)
  • SIM card: Claro has the best coverage nationally; Movistar and Tigo are strong in cities; prepaid SIMs from $2.50, monthly plans from $13
  • International schools: Colegio Nueva Granada (Bogotá), Columbus School (Medellín), Colegio Rochester (Bogotá) - enroll 3–6 months in advance; $8,000–18,000/yr
1

Pre-Arrival Checklist

The most important preparation happens before you board the plane. Getting these items sorted in advance saves significant stress and time during the first weeks.

  • Health insurance: arrange international health coverage before departure - SafetyWing ($45/mo), Cigna Global, or GeoBlue all accepted for visa purposes
  • Finances: activate a Wise card and/or Schwab debit card for fee-free ATM withdrawals - don't rely on your home bank card
  • Accommodation: book furnished apartment for the first 4–6 weeks via Airbnb or a Facebook expat housing group - don't sign long-term leases sight unseen
  • Spanish basics: complete Duolingo Spanish through at least the first 3 sections - 'survival Spanish' makes arrival dramatically smoother
  • Medications: bring a 3-month supply of any prescription medications - some are unavailable or require Colombian prescription locally
  • Phone plan: check if your current provider has a Colombia data plan, or plan to buy a local SIM on arrival
  • Research neighborhoods: spend time on Nomadlist.com/medellin, expat Facebook groups, and Reddit r/medellin before deciding where to stay
2

The First 90 Days: Arriving & Settling In

The first three months are about exploration, building your local network, and laying the groundwork for long-term life - visa, banking, housing, and community.

  • Airport arrival: get a local SIM at the airport (Claro or Movistar kiosks - from COP 10,000); Uber or airport taxi to your accommodation
  • Register with your country's embassy (UK FCDO, US STEP program) within the first week - important for emergency assistance
  • Open Nequi account (Bancolombia digital wallet) with just your passport - useful for local payments before you have a Cédula
  • Join expat Facebook groups immediately: 'Medellín Expats', 'Bogotá Expats & Nomads', 'Expats in Colombia' - invaluable for recommendations
  • Explore multiple neighborhoods before choosing where to rent long-term - spend a week in El Poblado AND Laureles
  • Start Spanish classes in week 1 - language school enrollment is fast and cheap; classes 4–5x/week
  • Visit Migración Colombia to understand DN visa requirements if planning a long-term stay (offices in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena)
3

Shipping Your Belongings

Most expats move to Colombia with luggage only or ship a small volume. Full container shipping is available but costly. Colombia allows expat household good imports duty-free under specific visa conditions.

  • Luggage-only move: the most common strategy - buy furniture and appliances locally (very affordable in Colombia)
  • Air freight: good for small volumes (<50kg) - DHL, FedEx offer door-to-door; budget $5–12/kg
  • LCL (less-than-container) sea freight: 1–3 CBM (a few boxes of personal items) - $800–2,000 from North America, $1,200–2,500 from Europe
  • Full 20ft container from US East Coast: $2,500–5,000 USD plus Colombian import processing
  • Duty-free import of household goods: available to holders of Migrant (M) or Resident (R) visas only - not tourist or DN visa holders
  • Colombian customs (DIAN) can be complex - use an experienced customs broker (agente de aduana) for any shipment
  • Buying locally: IKEA equivalent is Homecenter; MercadoLibre (Colombia's Amazon) for electronics and appliances; prices are reasonable
4

Administrative Setup: SIM, Banking & Registration

Building your Colombian administrative foundation - phone, bank access, and registration - takes 1–4 weeks depending on your visa status.

  • SIM card: Claro has the best coverage nationally; Movistar and Tigo are strong in cities; prepaid SIMs from $2.50, monthly plans from $13
  • Banking without Cédula: Nequi (Bancolombia digital wallet) and Daviplata (Davivienda) can sometimes be opened with a foreign passport - useful for local payments
  • Cédula de Extranjería: issued at Migración Colombia after visa approval - required for opening a full bank account, signing leases formally, and healthcare registration
  • DIAN RUT: if you plan to work for Colombian clients or register a business, you'll need a RUT tax ID - requires a Cédula
  • Health insurance registration: activate your prepagada plan (Colmédica/Sanitas) within the first 2 weeks and get your membership card
  • Embassy registration: US STEP program (step.state.gov), UK FCDO registration - takes 15 minutes and provides emergency support access
  • WhatsApp: set up with your Colombian number immediately - all appointments, deliveries, landlords, doctors, and services run through WhatsApp
5

Moving with Family & Pets

Colombia is family-friendly with excellent international schools, and pet importation is straightforward. Planning ahead for both makes the transition smoother.

  • International schools: Colegio Nueva Granada (Bogotá), Columbus School (Medellín), Colegio Rochester (Bogotá) - enroll 3–6 months in advance; $8,000–18,000/yr
  • Pet import: dogs and cats require a health certificate from a USDA/SENASA-accredited vet, rabies vaccination, and parasite treatment - no quarantine for most nationalities
  • ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) is the Colombian authority for pet imports - check current requirements before flying
  • Airlines: Avianca allows pets in-cabin on many routes; most US carriers allow Colombian pet imports with advance documentation
  • Colombian public schools: free, excellent for Spanish immersion, but fully Spanish-medium - suitable for younger children adapting long-term
  • Spouse/partner visa: partners of DN visa holders should apply for a dependent visa simultaneously to ensure legal status for the full stay
  • Family-friendly neighborhoods: Envigado and Sabaneta (near Medellín), Usaquén and Cedritos (Bogotá) - quieter, suburban, excellent schools nearby

Tools expats in Colombia actually use

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Wise

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FAQs

Common Questions - Moving Guide in Colombia

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