Moving to Medellin
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Medellin, Colombia. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$1,127
solo, city centre
Livability
52/100
decent
Safety
32/100
Do your homework
PR timeline
5 yrs
citizenship: 10y
How to move to Medellin
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
Smooth sailingDuration: 2 years
Income ≥ 3x Colombian minimum wage (~$780/mo). One of the easiest remote work visas.
Visa difficulty by nationality
5 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires basic Spanish and a Colombian constitution knowledge test.
Work permit accessibility: easy
What it costs to move to Medellin
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$703
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 79% of 97 cities
$1,292
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$1,127/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–7 days, easy for foreigners
- •Passport sufficient for short-term; cedula for long-term
- •1 –2 months' deposit
- •Abundant furnished apartments in El Poblado/Laureles
- •No credit checks for foreigners
First month in Medellin
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
2 years. Income ≥ 3x Colombian minimum wage (~$780/mo). One of the easiest remote work visas.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Spanish-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$12/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–7 days, easy for foreigners. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Have $2,156 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$50/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Spanish
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Medellin
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Spanish
primary language
Low
English proficiency
English proficiency is low. Learning at least basic Spanish isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
6.6/10
democracy index (EIU)
🏚️ Flawed democracy
regime type
#140 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution
FCDO advises against travel to some regions.
Is Medellin safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🚨
Do your homework
25.3
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 54/100
Elevated. Research neighborhoods carefully before signing a lease.
Weather in Medellin
What the thermometer actually says
26°C
summer highs
17°C
winter lows
79 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Mandatory health insurance via EPS; covers visa holders with a work contract
Before residency: Emergency care mandatory for everyone by law. Non-emergency: need to enroll in EPS (public) or buy private insurance. Visa holders can join EPS immediately through employment. Private insurance ~$45/mo — gives access to better clinics. (private insurance ~$50/mo)
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Medellin's $703/mo rent means you get to save money. Imagine.
- ✓ Path to PR from Medellin: 5 years. Not forever.
Think twice about
- ✗ Medellin: 25.3 homicides per 100k. Know the areas.
- ✗ Colombia scores 6.6/10 democracy — "flawed." Factor that into Medellin.
- ✗ Daily life in Medellin requires Spanish. Start learning now.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Medellin profile →