Maltese Expats in Colombia: Complete Immigration Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

1. Malta at a Glance

Malta is one of the European Union's smallest member states, yet it punches far above its weight in areas ranging from financial services to maritime law, iGaming, and international business. For Maltese nationals considering a move abroad, Colombia has steadily emerged as one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America — offering a combination of urban sophistication, natural diversity, and a cost of living that represents a dramatic improvement over Malta's Mediterranean prices.

2. Why Maltese Nationals Choose Colombia

Malta's extraordinary success as a financial and technology hub has come with a corresponding rise in the cost of living. Property prices in Valletta and Sliema now rival those of major European capitals, and the island's limited land area means that space — both physical and metaphorical — is increasingly at a premium. For Maltese professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, and digital nomads who want to maintain a high quality of life while substantially reducing their monthly expenditure, Colombia presents a compelling alternative. Cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Santa Marta offer world-class restaurants, modern infrastructure, private healthcare of excellent quality, and an international social scene that has grown dramatically over the past decade.

Beyond the economic calculus, there is a genuine cultural affinity that many Maltese find in Colombia. Both countries share a deep Catholic tradition, a Mediterranean-style emphasis on family and community, and a love of vibrant festivals, music, and food. Maltese nationals are also uniquely positioned when it comes to navigating Colombian bureaucracy: since both Maltese and English are official languages of Malta, and English is widely spoken in Colombia's major cities, the language barrier is significantly lower than for many other European expats. Malta's EU membership additionally means that Maltese citizens are accustomed to high standards of governance and legal transparency, making Colombia's ongoing institutional modernization feel familiar and encouraging rather than daunting.

3. Colombian Embassy Jurisdiction and Representation

4. Visa-Free Entry for Maltese Nationals

Malta is included on Lista A of Colombia's Resolución 5488 de 2022, which means Maltese passport holders may enter Colombia as tourists or short-stay visitors without obtaining a visa in advance. Upon arrival at any Colombian international airport or land border crossing, Maltese nationals receive an automatic stamp permitting a stay of up to 90 days, which may be extended once for an additional 90 days within the same calendar year — for a potential total of 180 days per year on tourist status.

This visa-free arrangement reflects the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Colombia and the European Union and provides an excellent opportunity for Maltese nationals to explore the country before committing to a longer-term residency arrangement. However, it is critical to understand that visa-free entry does not confer the right to work, establish a business, or engage in any remunerated activity in Colombia. Nationals intending to stay beyond the tourist allowance, or who wish to work or invest, must apply for the appropriate Visa M (Migrant) category before their tourist status expires.

5. Visa M — Migrant Visa Categories and Fees

The Colombian Visa M (Migrant) is the gateway to legal long-term residency for foreign nationals. It is issued for up to three years and, after holding it continuously for five years, the holder becomes eligible to apply for a Resident Visa (Visa R). The four most relevant Visa M subcategories for Maltese nationals are described below, along with the official government fee and the CoVisas Colombia service fee charged separately.

The Salario Mínimo Mensual Legal Vigente (SMMLV) for 2026 is COP 1,423,500 per month. This figure is used as the benchmark for income and investment thresholds across multiple Visa M categories.

Government fees are paid directly to the Colombian state and are non-refundable regardless of outcome. The CoVisas Colombia service fee covers document review, application preparation, follow-up with Migración Colombia, and advisory support throughout the process. Contact CoVisas Colombia for a personalized assessment of which category best fits your situation.

6. Health Insurance in Colombia for Maltese Expats

Malta operates one of the most comprehensive public healthcare systems within the European Union. The Ministry for Health (MHEC) funds and administers a universal system through flagship institutions such as Mater Dei Hospital — the archipelago's main tertiary referral center — and Gozo General Hospital. Maltese residents also benefit from EU reciprocal healthcare arrangements via the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Private providers including Bupa Malta, Atlas Insurance, and HSBC Life Assurance Malta offer supplementary coverage for those who prefer shorter waiting times and private room accommodation.

However, once a Maltese national departs the EU and establishes residency in Colombia, none of these arrangements apply. The EHIC is strictly limited to EU territory, and Malta's national health system does not extend extraterritorial coverage. Colombian public healthcare (EPS — Entidades Promotoras de Salud) is available to formal employees and legal residents through mandatory contributions, but the enrollment process can be complex and the coverage levels vary significantly by provider and region. Private health insurance is strongly recommended for all foreign residents in Colombia, particularly during the initial months before EPS enrollment is complete.

CoVisas Colombia works with regulated insurance providers to offer Maltese expats comprehensive health coverage tailored to their length of stay, age, and specific health needs. The following seven coverage categories are included in the plans we recommend:

7. Tax Considerations for Maltese Nationals in Colombia

Malta's tax framework is administered by the Commissioner for Revenue (CFR), known in Maltese as the Kummissarju tat-Taxxi. The system applies a progressive income tax with rates reaching up to 35% on higher income bands. One of Malta's most distinctive features is its Non-Domiciled (Non-Dom) resident regime: Maltese tax residents who are not domiciled in Malta are taxed only on income arising in Malta and on foreign income remitted to Malta, while foreign income that remains abroad is exempt from Maltese tax. Tax residency in Malta is established by the 183-day rule, meaning that an individual who spends more than 183 days per calendar year in Malta is considered tax resident. Malta also offers the Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) programme, which provides pathways to citizenship for high-net-worth individuals, and the country has become a prominent hub for EU residency optimisation strategies for global entrepreneurs.

When a Maltese national becomes a tax resident in Colombia — which occurs after spending more than 183 days in the country within a calendar year — they become subject to Colombian tax on their worldwide income as declared to the DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales). Colombia applies a progressive income tax, and residents must also comply with wealth tax declarations if their net assets exceed the applicable threshold. The intersection of Maltese and Colombian tax obligations creates a potentially complex situation, particularly for individuals who retain income, property, or business interests in both countries.

8. Legalizing Maltese Documents for Use in Colombia

Any official Maltese document — including birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic degrees, police clearance certificates, and company documents — that is to be submitted to Colombian authorities must go through a formal legalization process before it will be accepted. Colombia and Malta are both contracting states to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention), which simplifies the procedure considerably compared to non-convention countries. The process involves three sequential steps:

1. Notarize or authenticate the original document. The document must first be certified by the issuing authority or notarized by a Maltese notary public to confirm its authenticity. For example, a Maltese Police Conduct Certificate issued by the Malta Police Force (Pulizija ta' Malta) at Police General Headquarters in Floriana must be an original, bearing the official stamp and signature of the issuing officer.
2. Obtain an Apostille from the Malta Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs. Malta has been a party to the Apostille Convention since 1967. The competent authority for issuing apostilles on Maltese public documents is the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs (Ministeru għall-Affarijiet Barranin). The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and the identity of any seal or stamp on the document. Once apostilled, the document is recognized in all Hague Convention member states, including Colombia.
3. Obtain a certified Spanish translation. All foreign-language documents submitted to Colombian authorities — whether in Maltese or English — must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation prepared by an official translator registered with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería de Colombia). Both the original apostilled document and its certified translation must be submitted together.