Ein neues Zuhause: How Germans (dauerhaft) in Kolumbia can change their ways

Ein neues Zuhause: How Germans (dauerhaft) in Kolumbia can change their ways

More and more Germans are considering working and living in Colombia long-term. This is not surprising, as Colombia fascinates with its nature, cuisine, and especially the openness of its inhabitants. The country is also experiencing an economic upswing and is one of the countries in Latin America with the most favorable conditions for starting a business. But what opportunities does Colombian law offer German citizens to be allowed to stay in Colombia?

• Visa-free entry for German tourists up to 90 days

First, entry is possible for German citizens without a visa. The requirement for this is that you intend to stay in Colombia for a maximum of 90 days and are not pursuing paid work for a Colombian company. Possible purposes are therefore tourism, business trips, or visiting relatives. The stay can then also be extended, but it is important that you are allowed to stay in Colombia for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year without a visa. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to fill out the Check-MIG form on the official website „migracioncolombia.gov.co“ before entering the country to facilitate entry. In addition, a passport is required that is valid for at least six months beyond entry, and if necessary, it may be necessary to prove a return flight, your place of accommodation, or sufficient financial means.

• Temporary stay with a V or M visa 

However, anyone who wishes to stay or work in Colombia for longer than 180 days in a calendar year must apply for a visa. Colombian law provides three visa categories for this purpose.

First, there is with the Type M Visa (Migrant Visa) the possibility of entering for a period of up to 3 years, with the visa being linked to a work permit in some categories. The possibility of obtaining a visa exists here, for example, as a spouse or registered partner of a Colombian citizen, or as the father or mother of a Colombian citizen.

In addition, German citizens have the option to apply for an employee visa. This requires an employment contract and a letter of motivation from the employer, outlining, for example, the employee's qualifications. Furthermore, bank statements from the employer must demonstrate that the employee's average monthly income is at least 100 statutory minimum monthly wages. As of July 2025, this translates to a minimum monthly wage of approximately 30,400 Euros. The visa also allows for the application of a visa for the employee's spouse and children.

For those who do not qualify for employment opportunities with such high incomes but have saved a larger amount of assets, an investor visa may be considered. The requirement for this is either a direct investment in the Colombian market or the purchase of real estate. The minimum amount for a direct investment is currently 650 times the Colombian minimum wage (in July 2025 ≈ 198,000 Euros), while the investment value for real estate must be 350 times the Colombian minimum wage (in July 2025 ≈ 107,000 Euros). In addition, the applicant's financial capacity and health insurance must be proven through bank statements. After the three-year validity period expires, the visa can be reapplied for, demonstrating that the investment is still in place.

For foreigners who have a business in Kolumbia or who have capital assets in a Kolumbian trading company, there is also the possibility of obtaining a company owner/manager's/entrepreneur's visa. While it may be possible for an investor to invest in an investment company (e.g. through an investment in a corporation), the investor must be involved in this Visumsart as a company owner in a company. Therefore, the Visum also provides an employment relationship within the company. Die Mindestsumme, die hier eingebracht werden muss, ist im Vergleich zum Investorenvisum niedriger und liegt bei 100 kolumbianischen Mindestmonatsgehältern (im Juli 2025 ≈ 30.000 Euro) und muss in Form einer Einlage in ein bestehendes oder ein gegründetes Unternehmen eingebracht werden. Auch dieses Visum kann nach Ablauf von 3 Jahren verlängert werden, dann muss nachgewiesen werden, dass das Unternehmen noch wirtschaftlich aktiv und zahlungsfähig ist.

Finally, in the Type M visa category, there's the retired person's visa. The most important requirement for its issuance is proof of a monthly pension payment of at least 3 Colombian minimum wages. In July 2025, this is equivalent to approximately 900 Euros, so German retirees should regularly meet this requirement. This monthly pension can come from state or private sources, and the proof must be regularly apostilled and translated. Additionally, a police clearance certificate, a medical certificate of mental and physical fitness, and proof of health insurance must be submitted. This visa is also valid for up to three years and can be extended thereafter, with visas for spouses or life partners, as well as children, also being issued.

For a temporary stay, there is also a stay with a Type V Visa (Visitor's Visa) in Betracht. This visa category also offers the opportunity to secure a visa on the basis of a foreign study or for a free will to travel to Germany. In this category, however, it is also important to note that this category also includes the visa for digital nominees, which was first introduced in the year 2022. This is aimed at people who work remotely for independent companies and want to join this project in Kolumbien. In addition, in order to qualify for such a visa, it is also necessary to send a letter to a foreign company, in which the application or the freedom of action for this company will be confirmed. In a written statement, companies must provide their digital business model and their financial resources. Darüber hinaus muss durch Kontoauszüge der letzten drei Monate nachgewiesen werden, dass sich die Einkünfte des Antragsstellers auf mindestens drei kolumbianische Monatsmindestgehälter belaufen (im Juli 2025 ≈ 915 Euro) und eine Krankenversicherung, die den gesamten Aufenthalt abdeckt, muss nachgewiesen werden. The visa will be valid for two years and can be amended accordingly.

• Permanent residency with the R visa

As shown above, visa types V and M are always temporary. However, those who wish to settle permanently in Colombia and seek a secure legal status should apply for a permanent residence permit with visa type R (Residentes Permanentes). This only needs to be renewed every five years via a digital platform and grants an unlimited work permit for any activities in Colombia. For German citizens, visa R „por tiempo acumulado“ is an option.

A prerequisite for this visa is that the applicant has held an M visa for a specific period and has remained continuously in the country during that time. Therefore, it should be noted that permanent residency after staying on the digital nomad visa (Type V) is not possible!

For example, with the investor visa, the employee visa, and the entrepreneur/owner visa, as well as the retiree visa, an R visa can be applied for after five years of legal and continuous residence in Colombia. Further requirements for issuance include proof of income and the presentation of a Colombian identification document to verify any criminal record. Depending on the previous visa category, additional documents may need to be submitted.

The Type-R visa is indefinite and only expires if the holder spends more than two consecutive years outside of Colombia. Additionally, this visa also allows for family reunification.

• Summary

For Germans who wish to settle in Colombia long-term, visa type R „por tiempo acumulado“ (for accumulated time) is the ideal option for obtaining a legal and permanent status. To qualify for this, they must have resided in Colombia for a specific period on a type M visa. This could include stays as an employee, investor, business partner, or retiree. For Germans who exclusively work remotely, the visa for digital nomads is a suitable option, which can be particularly advantageous due to the lower required income compared to other visa types. However, a long-term stay with the type R visa cannot be achieved with this option.

So, there are various paths to permanent residency in Colombia, although these are often complex and time-consuming. As a German-speaking law firm based in Medellín, we are happy to assist you on this journey, providing legally sound, efficient, and personal support. Feel free to contact us today at lynceuslawfirm.com to schedule a personal initial consultation – whether in person or digital.

Author: Felix König