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

Country Overview

Why French Nationals Are Moving to Colombia

Colombia has a long-established French expatriate presence, particularly in Bogotá and Cartagena. The Alliance Française network across Colombian cities creates a cultural bridge that eases integration. French retirees are attracted by the favorable peso-euro exchange rate and the warm climate of coastal cities. Entrepreneurs and remote workers are drawn to Medellín's startup ecosystem, where the combination of tech infrastructure, low operating costs, and a growing international community compares favorably with European alternatives.

France does not have a double taxation treaty with Colombia. Tax planning for French nationals in Colombia requires careful management of French exit-residency rules and Colombian DIAN obligations — particularly the five-year new-resident exemption on foreign-sourced income under Colombian Law 2010 of 2019.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

All categories require: valid French passport, a compliant health plan covering the 7 Cancillería-required areas, a bulletin de casier judiciaire with Apostille within 90 days, and income documentation. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

France's Sécurité Sociale is one of the most comprehensive public health systems in the world. The Assurance Maladie branch is administered locally by CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie); the Carte Vitale is the physical identifier for accessing reimbursements. Sécurité Sociale typically reimburses 70% of standard consultations; a complementary mutuelle covers most of the remaining 30%. French nationals lose their Sécurité Sociale entitlement once they cease to be French residents. The CFE (Caisse des Français de l'Étranger) offers voluntary international health insurance for French nationals abroad — but it is designed for temporary assignments and is not issued by a Colombia-authorized provider.

The Carte Vitale, CPAM, and any mutuelle coverage are suspended when you cease to be a French resident. The CFE international plan does not qualify for Colombian Visa M purposes. The Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider covering these 7 specific areas listed above.

Tax Considerations

France and Colombia do not have a double taxation convention (CDI). French nationals who become Colombian tax residents face the theoretical possibility of double taxation managed only through each country's domestic rules.

French tax residency exit. The DGFiP (Direction Générale des Finances Publiques) considers four criteria for French tax domicile: habitual abode, main place of activity, center of economic interests, and French professional activity. Retaining a French property, significant French investments, or returning to France regularly can maintain French tax residency even after physical departure.

French exit tax (Article 167 bis CGI). French residents who own substantial shareholdings above certain thresholds may face an exit tax on unrealized capital gains when transferring tax residency abroad. This requires planning before departure.

Colombian new resident exemption. Colombian Law 2010 of 2019 grants new Colombian tax residents a five-year exemption on foreign-sourced income. For a French national who successfully exits French tax residency, this means five years paying DIAN only on Colombian-sourced income. Without a CDI, this is the primary tax planning tool available.

Document Legalization

France joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1965. French documents require an Apostille from the Tribunal judiciaire or the Procureur de la République. Documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognized in Colombia.

Casier Judiciaire National — Step by Step

1. Request a Bulletin n°3 du casier judiciaire from the Casier Judiciaire National in Nantes — the only competent authority for all of France. Available online, by post, or via the French Embassy in Bogotá. Processing: 3–5 business days online. Must be dated within 90 days of your visa application.
2. Request the Apostille from the Procureur de la République at the Tribunal judiciaire in Nantes. Can be handled by an authorized legalisation service. Processing: 1–3 weeks.
3. Certified Spanish translation by a sworn translator recognized by Colombia's Ministerio de Educación. French documents must be translated. Cost: approximately USD 60–100.