Australian Expats in Colombia 2026: Visa M, Medicare & Apostille Guide | CoVisas Colombia

Country Overview

Why Australians Are Moving to Colombia

Australia's cost of living crisis — particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, where median house prices exceed AUD 1 million — has pushed a growing segment of Australian remote workers, retirees, and entrepreneurs to explore long-term alternatives in Latin America. Colombia offers a cost of living 60–70% lower than Australia's major cities, and its growing expat infrastructure in Bogotá and Medellín has made it increasingly accessible to English speakers from the Pacific region.

Australian professionals in mining consulting, agribusiness, fintech, and education have found specific commercial niches in Colombia. The Australia-Colombia bilateral relationship has expanded through Pacific Alliance observer status connections and growing interest in Colombia's critical minerals sector, where Australian expertise in regulation and geology is valued.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

All categories require: valid Australian passport, a compliant health plan covering 7 Cancillería-required areas, an AFP National Police Check with Apostille, dated within 90 days, and income documentation. Australian documents are in English — certified Spanish translation is required for all official documents submitted to the Colombian Cancillería. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

Australia operates Medicare, a universal public health insurance scheme funded through the 2% Medicare Levy on taxable income and general government revenue. Medicare covers visits to general practitioners and specialists on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, public hospital treatment, and subsidized pharmaceuticals through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). For private hospital cover, most working Australians supplement Medicare with private health insurance from providers such as Medibank, Bupa Australia, HCF, nib, or HBF.

Medicare coverage is strictly limited to Australia. An Australian national who establishes permanent residence in Colombia loses eligibility for Medicare upon ceasing to be an Australian resident for Medicare purposes. The Department of Human Services (Services Australia) manages Medicare enrollment; notification of permanent departure is required. Superannuation (retirement) funds operate independently of Medicare and continue regardless of residency status.

Medicare has no validity in Colombia. The Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider covering all 7 areas above.

Tax Considerations

There is no double taxation treaty between Australia and Colombia. Australian nationals moving to Colombia must manage their tax obligations independently in both jurisdictions.

Australian tax residency exit. The ATO (Australian Taxation Office) applies a facts-and-circumstances test for Australian tax residency. The primary test is whether an individual "resides" in Australia; secondary tests include domicile, 183-day, and superannuation tests. Australian nationals who depart Australia permanently and establish a permanent place of abode outside Australia cease to be Australian tax residents. The ATO requires a departure notification; a tax return for the final year of Australian residence (a split-year return) must be lodged. Capital gains tax events may be triggered upon ceasing Australian tax residency under the deemed disposal rules for certain assets.

Document Legalization

Australia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1995. Apostilles are issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through its authentication services. Applications can be submitted online or in person at DFAT offices in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. AFP National Police Checks must first be obtained before submitting for Apostille.

AFP National Police Check — Step by Step

1. Request the AFP National Police Check online through the Australian Federal Police (AFP) portal or through accredited bodies. Processing: 1–15 business days. Cost: AUD 42–68 depending on channel. Must be dated within 90 days. Select "Overseas purposes" as the reason.
2. Obtain the Apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Submit the AFP check to DFAT Authentication Services with the Apostille application form. Cost: AUD 75 per document. Processing: 3–5 business days in person; 5–10 business days by post.
3. Certified Spanish translation. The AFP check and all Australian documents must be translated into Spanish by a NAATI-accredited translator (preferred) or a sworn translator (traductor oficial) authorized by the Colombian Cancillería.