Work Remotely from Colombia: Complete Guide

Visa Options for Remote Workers

Digital Nomad Visa (Type V Visitor Visa)

Colombia’s official Digital Nomad Visa was introduced in 2022 and is one of the most accessible in Latin America. It allows remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs to legally live in Colombia while working for foreign companies.

Visa Duration:

• Valid for up to 2 years from the date of issuance
• One of the longest digital nomad visas available globally
• Can be used for multiple entries during the validity period

Eligibility Requirements:

• Work remotely for companies or clients outside Colombia
• Cannot engage in local employment or earn Colombian-source income
• Must have employment contract, freelance agreements, or proof of business ownership
• Minimum income requirement (varies by consulate, typically $700-1,000 USD/month)

Required Documents:

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Proof of remote employment or self-employment (contracts, business registration, client letters)
• Proof of income (bank statements for 3-6 months, pay stubs, tax returns)
• International health insurance with Colombia coverage
• Completed visa application form
• Criminal background check (apostilled)

Application Process:

1. Submit application at Colombian consulate in your home country or online through Colombia’s visa portal
2. Pay visa fee (approximately $50-80 USD)
3. Wait 5-10 business days for processing
4. Receive visa approval electronically
5. Enter Colombia with your digital nomad visa

Cost: $50-80 USD application fee

Tourist Visa (Visa-Free Entry)

Many nationalities (including US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia) can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable once for an additional 90 days (total 180 days per year).

Key Points:

• Free entry on arrival for most Western countries
• Can be extended once at Migración Colombia offices
• Extension costs approximately $100 USD
• Maximum 180 days per calendar year
• Ideal for testing Colombia before applying for digital nomad visa

Tax Implications

Colombia’s tax system for remote workers is based on the 183-day rule, which is critical to understand for tax planning.

Non-Tax Resident (Under 183 Days)

If you spend fewer than 183 days in Colombia within any 12-month period, you are considered a tax non-resident:

• No tax on foreign income: Income earned from companies or clients outside Colombia is not taxed
• No requirement to register with DIAN (Colombia’s tax authority)
• No Colombian tax return filing required
• Only Colombian-source income would be taxed (not applicable to most digital nomads)

Important: Days are counted cumulatively, whether consecutive or not, within a 365-day rolling period.

Tax Resident (183+ Days)

After spending 183 days or more in Colombia within a 12-month period, you become a tax resident:

• Must register with DIAN and obtain a RUT (tax ID number)
• Required to file annual tax returns
• Worldwide income becomes taxable in Colombia
• Progressive income tax rates from 0% to 39% depending on income brackets
• May need to pay estimated taxes quarterly

Tax Rates for 2026 (Residents):

• Up to ~$10,000 USD: 0%
• $10,000-25,000: 19%
• $25,000-50,000: 28%
• $50,000+: 33-39%

Double Taxation Treaties: Colombia has tax treaties with several countries including the US, Canada, Spain, and others. These treaties help prevent being taxed twice on the same income.

Tax Planning Strategy: Many digital nomads strategically manage their stay to remain under 183 days to maintain non-resident status. Some spend 5-6 months in Colombia and travel elsewhere to reset the clock.

Best Cities for Remote Work

Medellín

Colombia’s second-largest city and the undisputed digital nomad capital of South America. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its perfect year-round weather.

Why Medellín is #1:

• El Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods packed with coworking spaces, cafes, and expats
• Excellent fiber optic internet (100-300 Mbps widely available)
• Perfect weather: 60-80°F (15-27°C) year-round
• Modern metro system (only city in Colombia with one)
• Thriving startup ecosystem and tech community
• Massive English-speaking expat community
• Coworking spaces: Selina, Atomhouse, WeWork, La Popular

Challenges:

• Traffic and pollution in some areas
• Safety concerns in certain neighborhoods (stick to El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado)

Cost of Living: $1,000-2,500/month

Bogotá

The capital and largest city offers urban sophistication, cultural richness, and excellent infrastructure.

Pros:

• Best internet infrastructure in Colombia (fiber widely available)
• International airport hub with connections worldwide
• Endless cultural activities, museums, restaurants
• Large tech and startup scene
• Neighborhoods: Chapinero, Usaquén, La Candelaria
• Generally safer than Medellín in terms of petty crime

Cons:

• Cold and rainy weather (50-65°F year-round)
• High altitude (8,600 ft) takes adjustment
• More expensive than Medellín
• Traffic congestion can be severe

Cost of Living: $1,200-2,800/month

Cartagena

Caribbean coastal city with colonial charm, perfect for those seeking beach life with culture.

Pros:

• Beautiful beaches and warm weather
• Historic Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Growing digital nomad community
• Beach lifestyle with modern amenities
• Popular neighborhoods: Getsemaní, Bocagrande

Cons:

• Very hot and humid (85-95°F year-round)
• More expensive than Medellín or Bogotá
• Internet can be less reliable than major cities
• More touristy, less authentic Colombian experience

Cost of Living: $1,500-3,000/month

Timezone Overlap with Global Companies

Colombia operates on Colombia Standard Time (COT, GMT-5) year-round (no daylight saving time).

Working with US Companies

Excellent overlap with US East Coast:

• EST (New York): Same time zone
• CST (Chicago): 1 hour behind
• MST (Denver): 2 hours behind
• PST (Los Angeles): 3 hours behind

Colombia’s timezone makes it perfect for working with US companies. A 9am EST meeting is 9am in Colombia. You can easily work standard US business hours.

Working with European Companies

Challenging but possible:

• London (GMT): 5 hours ahead
• Berlin (CET): 6 hours ahead
• Eastern Europe: 7-8 hours ahead

A 9am London meeting is 4am in Colombia. Many EU remote workers in Colombia work early mornings or rely on asynchronous communication.

Cost of Living Breakdown

Colombia offers exceptional value for remote workers earning foreign currency:

• Accommodation: $400-1,200/month (nice apartment in El Poblado or Chapinero)
• Food: $200-500/month (mix of cooking and eating out)
• Coworking: $80-200/month (dedicated desk)
• Transportation: $30-100/month (public transit, Uber, metro)
• Health Insurance: $50-150/month (international coverage)
• Utilities & Internet: $50-100/month (fiber optic internet)
• Entertainment: $150-400/month
• Gym Membership: $30-60/month

Total: $990-2,710/month depending on lifestyle

The Colombian Peso (COP) exchange rate has been favorable for USD, EUR, and GBP earners, making Colombia very affordable.

Internet and Infrastructure

Colombia’s internet infrastructure has improved significantly, especially in cities with large expat populations.

Medellín & Bogotá:

• Fiber optic widely available: 100-300 Mbps downloads
• Average speeds: 50-100 Mbps sufficient for video conferencing
• Providers: Claro, Movistar, ETB, UNE
• Coworking spaces: 200+ Mbps connections standard
• 4G/5G coverage: Excellent in urban areas with Claro or Movistar
• Backup options: USB modem or mobile hotspot recommended

Smaller Cities (Cartagena, Cali, Santa Marta):

• Generally good internet: 30-100 Mbps
• Less consistent than Medellín/Bogotá
• Always test before committing to rentals

Pro Tip: Many apartments in El Poblado (Medellín) come with fiber optic included in rent.

Healthcare for Remote Workers

Colombia offers high-quality healthcare at affordable prices:

• Private healthcare: Excellent facilities in major cities (Clínica El Rosario, Fundación Santa Fe)
• Doctor visits: $20-40 USD without insurance
• Prescriptions: Very affordable, many drugs available over the counter
• Dental work: Popular for dental tourism (70% cheaper than US)
• International insurance: Required for Digital Nomad Visa ($50-150/month)
• Local health insurance: EPS system available but international insurance recommended

Many digital nomads get comprehensive checkups and dental work done in Colombia due to low costs and high quality.

Banking and Financial Considerations

Opening a Colombian Bank Account:

• Possible with Digital Nomad Visa but challenging
• Banks often require: visa, cédula de extranjería (foreign ID), proof of address
• Popular banks: Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA Colombia
• Useful for receiving Colombian pesos and avoiding ATM fees

Payment Apps:

• Nequi and Daviplata: Essential for daily transactions, taxis, splitting bills
• Widely used and often required for local payments
• Can be set up with cedula or passport

ATM Withdrawals:

• Withdrawal fees: $3-6 USD per transaction
• Daily limits: Usually $200-500 USD equivalent
• Use bank ATMs (Bancolombia, Davivienda) in secure locations

Wise (formerly TransferWise):

• Highly recommended for getting Colombian pesos at good exchange rates
• Better than traditional bank transfers