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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

The UK government and the British Embassy in Bogot谩 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.

, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Colombia before you travel.

Visas

Check which 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 or use the for more information.

Registering as a resident聽

If your visa is valid for more than 90 days, you must register as a resident. This allows you to get a foreigner鈥檚 identity card (鈥榗茅dula de extranjer铆a鈥�).

You must do this within 15 days of your visa start date. You may get a fine if you do not.

To register, . Before your appointment, fill out the .

If you have any problems or questions about registering and getting your foreigner鈥檚 ID card, contact:

• an

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for a resident鈥檚 visa if you meet the eligibility criteria. This visa allows you to live in Colombia permanently.

To find out if you鈥檙e eligible and how to apply:

• read guidance on
• contact
• use the

Citizenship

Colombia recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Colombian citizen. 聽

To find out if you鈥檙e eligible for Colombian citizenship:

• read guidance on
• contact the

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Bogot谩 cannot help with Colombian visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

• the
• an

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聽

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 if they鈥檙e travelling out of Colombia without their parent or legal guardian.

For more information, contact:

• the

Healthcare in Colombia 聽聽

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鈥檙e resident in Colombia, you can register with the public healthcare system (鈥楽istema General de Seguridad Social en Salud鈥� or 鈥楽GSSS鈥�).

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鈥檚 guidance on the .

You can also get private health insurance from Colombian or international providers.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

• contact your insurance provider
• read guidance on health in Colombia
• find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British Nationals in Colombia

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 . Read the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs鈥� (鈥楥anciller铆a鈥�) guidance on the .

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:

• the UK and Colombia鈥檚 Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Degrees

Driving in Colombia聽聽

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鈥檙e resident in Colombia, you must apply for a Colombian driving licence. Read the Colombian Ministry of Justice鈥檚 guidance on .

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 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 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 for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying . To do this, find an .

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 to find out whether you can claim a . 聽

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.聽

To find out if you鈥檙e eligible and how to claim:

• read guidance on
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Buying and renting property in Colombia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Contact an if you鈥檙e 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鈥檚 .

Studying in Colombia

If you plan to study in Colombia, you must meet all before you travel.

For more information:

• read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
• contact your higher education provider in the UK or Colombia
• contact the

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 .

All children aged 5 to 16 must attend school or home school in Colombia.

For more information, read guidance on .

Childcare

The and are responsible for early childhood education and care in Colombia. 聽

For more information, read guidance on .

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鈥檚 guidance on . If you鈥檙e outside Bogot谩 you鈥檒l need to make an appointment at your .

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鈥檚 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:

• what to do when someone dies in Colombia

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 offers guidance on getting a divorce in Colombia.

Consider taking legal advice from an .

Documents for British people in Colombia

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:聽

• 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鈥檙e abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Colombia, read guidance on:

• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country

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.聽 For definitive information, contact the Colombian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.