Portuguese Expats in Colombia 2026: Visa M, Tax Treaty & Health Plan Guide | CoVisas Colombia

Country Overview

Why Portuguese Nationals Are Moving to Colombia

Portugal and Colombia share a Lusophone-Hispanic cultural proximity that makes Colombia one of the most naturally accessible Latin American destinations for Portuguese nationals. The Portuguese language's similarity to Spanish reduces the adaptation barrier significantly, and many Portuguese expatriates achieve functional Spanish fluency within a few months. The Portugal–Colombia double taxation treaty, in force since 2015, provides the same type of bilateral protection available to Spanish and German nationals — preventing dual taxation on employment income, pensions, dividends, and capital gains.

Portuguese professionals in engineering, architecture, tourism management, and digital services have found a receptive market in Colombia. Bogotá's growing hotel and hospitality sector has attracted particular interest from Portuguese operators given Portugal's global reputation in tourism management. The historic Portuguese commercial diaspora in South America gives Colombia's Portuguese expat community established cultural and business networks to draw upon.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

All categories require: valid Portuguese passport, a compliant health plan covering the 7 Cancillería-required areas, a certificado de registo criminal with Apostille within 90 days, and income documentation. Portuguese 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

Portugal's SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) is a universal, tax-funded public health system. The Número de Utente SNS (or Cartão de Utente) gives registered residents access to GP services (médico de família), specialist referrals through USF and UCSP community health centers, and hospitalization at public hospitals (centros hospitalares). SNS coverage requires active Portuguese residency registration; the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) extends coverage only within the EU/EEA. Private health insurance in Portugal (Médis, Multicare by Fidelidade, AXA Portugal, Allianz Portugal) covers faster specialist access but also terminates when the Portuguese residence is deregistered. None of these have any validity in Colombia.

The Cartão de Utente SNS and Portuguese private health plans have no validity outside Portugal. The Colombian Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider covering all 7 areas above.

Tax Considerations

Portugal and Colombia have an active double taxation convention (CDI), signed in 2010 and in force since 2015. The AT (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira) administers Portuguese tax; DIAN administers Colombian tax. The treaty follows the OECD model and provides standard protections across income categories.

Portuguese tax residency exit. Portuguese tax residency is determined by habitual residence in Portugal (more than 183 days in any 12-month period) or by maintaining a habitual abode in Portugal at December 31. To exit Portuguese tax residency, a Portuguese national must cancel their Portuguese address with the relevant Junta de Freguesia or Câmara Municipal, update their tax domicile with the AT (via Portal das Finanças), and file a final Portuguese tax return for the period of residence. Portugal is notable for its NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) regime — however, this regime benefits individuals moving TO Portugal, not those leaving it for Colombia.

Treaty benefits. Under the Portugal–Colombia CDI, employment income is taxed in the country where work is performed. Social Security pensions paid from Portuguese Social Security (Segurança Social) are taxed in Portugal under the treaty. Dividends, interest, and royalties are subject to maximum withholding rates set by the treaty, preventing unilateral over-withholding.

Colombian new resident exemption. Colombian Law 2010 of 2019 grants new tax residents a five-year exemption on foreign-sourced income. Combined with the CDI and proper exit from Portuguese tax residency, a Portuguese national's first five years in Colombia may involve zero DIAN liability on Portuguese-sourced income.

Document Legalization

Portugal joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1968. Apostilles for Portuguese documents are issued by the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) via the Portal das Finanças or in person at Conservatórias do Registo Civil. Portugal has an efficient e-Apostille system for many document types. Portuguese documents are in Portuguese and require sworn Spanish translation.

Certificado de Registo Criminal — Step by Step

1. Request the criminal record certificate from the ePortugal portal (requires Chave Móvel Digital or Cartão de Cidadão + PIN), in person at any Conservatória do Registo Criminal, or through the Portuguese Embassy in Bogotá. Processing: immediate online; 5–7 business days in person. Must be dated within 90 days of the visa application.
2. Request the Apostille from the IRN — available online via the Portal das Finanças (e-Apostille) for many document types. For criminal record certificates, the Apostille can be issued by the Conservatória do Registo Criminal or via the IRN's e-Apostille service. Processing: 2–5 business days online; 5–10 days in person.
3. Certified Spanish translation by a sworn translator recognized by Colombia's Ministerio de Educación. Portuguese documents are in Portuguese and require full sworn translation. Cost: approximately USD 60–100.