Brazilian Expats in Colombia 2026: Visa M, Taxes & Health Plan Guide | CoVisas Colombia

Country Overview

Why Brazilians Are Moving to Colombia

Brazil and Colombia share a 1,644 km border and are the two largest economies in South America. Brazilian professionals are drawn to Colombia's Spanish-speaking market as a gateway for regional expansion — Bogotá is increasingly a regional headquarters destination for Brazilian companies targeting the Andean and Caribbean markets. Brazilians in tech, e-commerce, agribusiness, and consulting have found Colombia's regulatory environment and labor costs favorable compared to Brazil's complex tax and business environment.

Brazil does not have a double taxation treaty with Colombia. Brazilian nationals must manage tax obligations in both countries through domestic rules. The Receita Federal (Brazil's federal revenue service) and DIAN each have their own residency exit requirements and income classification rules.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

All categories require: valid Brazilian passport, a compliant health plan covering the 7 Cancillería-required areas, a certidão de antecedentes criminais with Apostille within 90 days, and income documentation. Brazilian documents must be translated into Spanish by a Colombian-certified sworn translator. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

Brazil's SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) is one of the world's largest public health systems, covering over 200 million Brazilians regardless of contribution status. The SUS is funded by federal, state, and municipal taxes and managed by the Ministério da Saúde. Beyond the SUS, approximately 50 million Brazilians hold private planos de saúde through carriers such as Amil, Bradesco Saúde, SulAmérica, Hapvida, and Unimed. All SUS benefits are geographically restricted to Brazil. Private Brazilian planos de saúde do not operate outside Brazil.

The Colombian Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider certifying all 7 areas above. Brazilian SUS coverage and all Brazilian private planos de saúde are not valid for Visa M purposes.

Tax Considerations

Brazil and Colombia do not have a double taxation treaty. Brazilian nationals who become Colombian tax residents must manage potential double taxation entirely through each country's domestic rules.

Brazilian tax residency exit. A Brazilian national who leaves Brazil permanently must file a Comunicação de Saída Definitiva do País with the Receita Federal within the year of departure and file a Declaração de Saída Definitiva covering income up to the departure date. Failure to notify the Receita Federal of definitive departure can result in continued Brazilian tax liability on worldwide income. Brazilian nationals who maintain a CPF in active good standing and retain Brazilian-source income must continue to file.

DIAN Colombian residency. A Brazilian national who spends more than 183 days in any 365-day period in Colombia becomes a Colombian tax resident and is liable for DIAN on worldwide income. Colombian Law 2010 of 2019 provides a five-year exemption on foreign-sourced income for new residents — significant for Brazilians who have properly exited Brazilian tax residency.

Document Legalization

Brazil joined the Hague Apostille Convention in August 2016 — later than most South American countries. Apostilles in Brazil are issued by the state Tribunais de Justiça (Courts of Justice) or the CNJ (Conselho Nacional de Justiça) for federal documents. Brazilian documents are in Portuguese and must be translated into Spanish for the Cancillería.

Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais — Step by Step

1. Request the criminal certificate from the Polícia Federal via the Polícia Federal portal (Sistema de Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais — SISCADE). Available online with a CPF and Gov.br account. State-level certificates may also be required. Processing: immediate online; 5–10 business days for physical delivery. Must be dated within 90 days.
2. Request the Apostille from the Tribunal de Justiça of the issuing state, or from the CNJ for federal documents. Brazil's e-Apostille system is increasingly available online. Processing: 3–10 business days. The Apostille must be attached to the original certificate.
3. Certified Spanish translation by a translator recognized by Colombia's Ministerio de Educación. Brazilian documents are in Portuguese and require sworn translation. Cost: approximately USD 80–150 depending on document length.