Health insurance for foreigners and expats in Colombia

The short answer

Most visitor (V) visas require a health insurance policy with coverage in Colombia. If you live here, the law requires you to join an EPS (public health system), and private policies almost always require an active EPS. Everything below comes only from official regulations and each insurer's own documents.

Which visas require health insurance

• The resolution defines the required insurance: a private policy covering Colombia for accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death or repatriation. ^[1]
• Digital nomad visa (V): requires a health policy covering Colombia for the whole stay, plus minimum income of 3 Colombian minimum wages. ^[1]
• Retiree visa (M): you must show health coverage in Colombia (e.g. an EPS) or a health policy covering Colombia. ^[1]
• The same option (health coverage in Colombia or a policy) applies to M visas for independent professionals, investors and internationalization programs. ^[1]
• Student visa (V): requires a health policy covering Colombia for the planned length of stay. ^[1]
• Rentier visa (V): requires a health policy covering Colombia. ^[1]
• Tourist visa (V), for nationalities that need a visa: requires a health policy covering Colombia and a ticket reservation. ^[1]
• Medical treatment visa (V): both the patient and the companion must have a health policy. ^[1]
• Working holiday visa (V): requires a health policy covering Colombia. ^[1]
• Permanent correspondent visa (V): the holder and dependents must have a private policy. ^[1]
• Seasonal farm worker visa (V): the hiring company must buy the workers' health policy. ^[1]

How foreigners join an EPS

• All residents of Colombia must be enrolled in the health system (EPS); the law does not distinguish by nationality. ^[2]
• To enroll in an EPS, foreigners identify themselves with a foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería), passport, diplomatic card or safe-conduct, as applicable. ^[3]
• The foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería) is issued to foreigners holding a visa valid for more than 3 months. ^[4]
• The PPT held by Venezuelan migrants is a valid ID in Colombia's social protection system, including health enrollment. ^[5]
• Migración Colombia confirms the PPT gives access to the health and pension system. ^[4]
• With a refugee safe-conduct (salvoconducto) you can also enroll in the health system. ^[4]

What Colombian insurers require

• SURA Plan Salud Clásico: accepts residents and non-residents of Colombia, under 70 at enrollment. ^[6]
• SURA Plan Salud Global: accepts residents and non-residents of Colombia, under 63 at enrollment. ^[7]
• At SURA (Clásico and Global), anyone residing in Colombia must be enrolled and active in a contributory EPS while holding the policy. ^[7]
• SURA treats as living abroad anyone who spends more than 180 days outside in a year. ^[7]
• AXA Colpatria International Care: only for Colombian residents, meaning living here 185 days or more in the policy year. ^[8]
• AXA Colpatria Plan Original Amparado: requires enrollment and contributions to the contributory regime (EPS) at purchase and throughout the policy. ^[9]
• MAPFRE Plan Preferencial: covers people under 60 who reside in Colombia and are accepted by the insurer. ^[10]
• Seguros Bolívar Corporate International Health (group): only for Colombian residents; otherwise coverage abroad is suspended. ^[11]

Tourists: is insurance required?

• Migración Colombia lists the documents for a foreigner to enter: passport, visa if required, PPT (Venezuelans) and onward ticket. Insurance is not listed. ^[4]
• The Foreign Ministry strongly recommends, but does not require, buying international medical insurance before traveling to Colombia. ^[12]
• Travelers who need a V Tourist visa must present a health policy covering Colombia. ^[1]
• Colombian law says uninsured non-residents will be encouraged (not required) to buy medical insurance. ^[2]

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