New Zealand Expats in Colombia 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

1. New Zealand at a Glance

2. Why New Zealand Nationals Move to Colombia

New Zealand consistently ranks among the world's most beautiful and liveable countries, but its cost of living has become a serious barrier for many. Housing prices in Auckland and Wellington are among the steepest in the OECD, and everyday expenses — groceries, dining, healthcare premiums — weigh heavily on both young professionals and retirees. Colombia, by contrast, offers a dramatically lower cost of living, particularly in cities like Medellín, Bogotá, and the Coffee Region, where a comfortable lifestyle costs a fraction of what it does back home.

Beyond economics, Kiwi expats are drawn to Colombia's extraordinary biodiversity, warm year-round climate in cities like Medellín (the "City of Eternal Spring"), and a vibrant digital nomad and entrepreneurial scene. Medellín's transformation into a Latin American innovation hub — with co-working spaces, a booming startup ecosystem, and a welcoming international community — makes it especially attractive to New Zealanders who value both adventure and opportunity. Spanish immersion, salsa dancing, and direct access to the Amazon, the Andes, and the Caribbean coast are the lifestyle bonuses that seal the deal.

3. Colombian Embassy for New Zealand Nationals

4. Visa-Free Entry & Long-Stay Options

New Zealand passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Colombia for up to 90 days per calendar year. This covers tourism, family visits, and initial exploration before committing to a long-term move. For stays beyond 90 days — whether for work, study, retirement, or investment — a Migración Colombia visa is required. The most common path for expats is the Visa M (Migrant), which grants residency-track status and requires proof of health insurance coverage in Colombia throughout the visa period.

5. Visa M — Migrant Visa Fees (2026)

Fees are paid in Colombian pesos at the official TRM rate on the day of payment. All Visa M categories require valid health insurance covering the full visa period, issued by a Colombian-authorized insurer or an internationally recognized policy accepted by Migración Colombia.

6. Health System: New Zealand vs. Colombia

New Zealand's public health system, administered by Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand), provides universal coverage funded through general taxation. The country's unique ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) scheme covers all injury-related treatment — for citizens, residents, and even visitors — on a no-fault basis, regardless of how the accident occurred. Private health insurers, led by Southern Cross Health Insurance (~900,000 members), nib New Zealand, and AIA, supplement the public system. However, once a New Zealand resident lives abroad for more than two years, they lose eligibility for public health services upon return, and their private policies typically do not extend internationally.

In Colombia, the health system operates under EPS (Empresas Promotoras de Salud) for residents enrolled in the contributory regime. Foreign nationals on a Visa M are not automatically enrolled in the EPS system and must hold private health insurance recognized by Colombian authorities. This is not merely a bureaucratic requirement — it is a genuine financial safeguard. Medical costs in private Colombian clinics, while far below New Zealand prices, can still be significant for uninsured foreigners facing surgery, hospitalization, or chronic illness management.

7. Tax Obligations: New Zealand & Colombia

New Zealand's Inland Revenue Department (IRD / Te Tari Taake) taxes residents on their worldwide income. However, New Zealand offers a unique transitional resident exemption: new migrants and returning New Zealanders who have been absent for 10+ years receive a four-year exemption from New Zealand tax on foreign-source income. The bright-line property test taxes gains on residential properties sold within two years (new builds) or ten years (other properties). There is no general capital gains tax in New Zealand, though certain property and investment gains are taxable as income. New Zealand progressive income tax rates range from 10.5% to 39%.

In Colombia, foreign nationals become tax residents after spending 183 or more days (continuously or cumulatively) in Colombia during any 365-day period. Once tax resident, Colombia taxes worldwide income. Since there is no Double Taxation Treaty (CDI) between New Zealand and Colombia, income earned in New Zealand while resident in Colombia may be taxed in both jurisdictions, with no formal mechanism for relief. Kiwi expats planning long-term stays in Colombia should consult a tax advisor in both countries before crossing the 183-day threshold to structure their affairs appropriately.

8. Document Legalization for Colombian Visa

New Zealand joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2002. This means New Zealand documents (birth certificates, police certificates, marriage certificates, financial statements, etc.) can be legalized via apostille for use in Colombia without further consular authentication. Because New Zealand's official languages are English and Māori — neither of which is Spanish — all apostilled documents must also be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation before submission to Migración Colombia.

1. Obtain the original official document — Request certified copies of required documents from the issuing authority (e.g., Department of Internal Affairs for birth/marriage certificates; NZ Police for criminal record checks via police.govt.nz).
2. Obtain the Apostille from MFAT — Submit the original document to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for apostille certification. MFAT is the sole competent authority in New Zealand for issuing apostilles under the Hague Convention.
3. Certified Translation into Spanish (English → Spanish) — Have all apostilled documents translated into Spanish by a certified translator (traductor oficial). The translator's credentials must be recognized by Colombian authorities. Both the original document and the certified translation must be submitted together.
4. Submit to Migración Colombia — Upload the apostilled originals and certified Spanish translations through Migración Colombia's online visa portal, along with your completed application form, photographs, health insurance certificate, and payment receipts.

9. Ready to Move to Colombia?

10. Sources

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