Americas · Spanish · updated 2026-10
Moving to Colombia: visas, cost of living & citizenship
A single person needs about $1,050 a month to live in Bogotá / Medellín, and a family of four about $2,350, including rent. Colombia usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 5 yrs, with citizenship after 5 yrs, and dual citizenship is allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Digital nomad visa (V).
- Main city
- Bogotá / Medellín
- Language
- Spanish
- Permanent residence
- 5 yrs
- Citizenship
- 5 yrs
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Digital nomad visa
- Yes
Cost of living in Colombia, per month in US$
Safety
Political stability & governance
Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Unstable overall (28/100).
Family-friendliness
Visa & residence routes
Who gets easier access to Colombia
The Mercosur Residence Agreement gives 2 years of residence with work rights, then permanent residence. No job offer needed.
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Ecuador
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Visiting: 101 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 97 can apply for an eVisa and 0 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).
Road to permanent residence & citizenship
Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Colombia?
About $1,050 a month for one person and $2,350 for a family of four in Bogotá / Medellín, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $450 a month and a 3-bedroom around $850. Prices are 41% of US levels. Colombia is the 9th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.
Is Colombia safe to live in?
Colombia scores 8/100 for safety (high risk), ranking 75th of 76. The homicide rate is 24.91 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).
Is Colombia politically stable?
Colombia scores 28/100 for stability (unstable), ranking 72nd of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.
Is Colombia good for families?
Colombia scores 35/100 for family-friendliness (fair), ranking 65th of 76. Life expectancy is 77.9 years and under-5 mortality is 11.5 per 1,000 births.
How long does it take to get permanent residence in Colombia?
Usually 5 yrs of legal residence.
How long until I can become a citizen of Colombia?
Usually 5 yrs of residence. 2 years for Latin American and Caribbean nationals. Dual citizenship: allowed.
Can I move to Colombia without a job offer?
Yes. Digital nomad visa (V): Up to 2 years with income of 3× the minimum wage, about $1,000/month.
Does Colombia have a digital nomad visa?
Yes: the Digital nomad visa (V). Up to 2 years with income of 3× the minimum wage, about $1,000/month.
Who can live and work in Colombia without a visa?
The Mercosur Residence Agreement gives 2 years of residence with work rights, then permanent residence. No job offer needed. (Mercosur Residence Agreement: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru.)
Similar countries in Americas
- Ecuador$1,150/mo · safety 8 · PR 2 yrs
- Paraguay$950/mo · safety 38 · PR 2 yrs
- Brazil$1,200/mo · safety 17 · PR 4 yrs
Dominican Republic$1,250/mo · safety 35 · PR Day 1- Chile$1,300/mo · safety 39 · PR 2 yrs
- Peru$1,300/mo · safety 28 · PR 3 yrs
See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Colombia can move