Move to Colombia
Everything a future Colombia settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
Colombia at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
5 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires basic Spanish and a Colombian constitution knowledge test.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependents receive a beneficiary visa allowing stay but not employment.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Colombia
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$703
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$22,349
GDP per capita
35%
Corporate tax
8.3%
Unemployment
6.6%
Inflation
High inequality — gated communities exist for a reason.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
6.35/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
68
/100Freedom House score
#140 of 163
Global Peace Index
#115
Press freedom rank
Is Colombia safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Do your research. Seriously.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Spanish
Primary language
Low
English proficiency (#76 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Spanish isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Colombia — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Colombia?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Medellin ranks #1 in Colombia with a score of 52/100. City-centre rent starts around $703/month.
How much does it cost to live in Colombia?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $703 to $703/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,127.
How do I get permanent residency in Colombia?▾
The path to permanent residency in Colombia typically takes 5 years. Citizenship is possible after 10 years. Note: Requires basic Spanish and a Colombian constitution knowledge test.
Is Colombia a democracy?▾
Colombia scores 6.35/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy." It ranks #140 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Colombia safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Colombia is 25.3 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.