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

Country Overview

Why Spanish Nationals Are Moving to Colombia

Spanish nationals make up one of the largest European expat communities in Colombia. The shared language, cultural affinity, and historical connection make the transition uniquely seamless: no document translation is required, and the bureaucratic advantages compound at every step. The Spain–Colombia double taxation treaty dates to 2006 and provides the same type of bilateral tax protection available to UK and German nationals. Spanish retirees drawing pensions from the INSS (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social) can continue receiving them in Colombia — and the treaty governs how they are taxed.

Medellín's climate, cost of living, and direct Madrid–Bogotá flights (Avianca, Iberia, Air Europa) maintain a constant flow of Spanish professionals seeking a Latin American base that feels less foreign than any other destination on the continent.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

Visa M (Migrante) is Colombia's long-term residency visa under Resolution 5477 of 2022. Spanish nationals have a key advantage: all documents are in Spanish and Apostille is streamlined through the same ministry that issues the certificate.

All Visa M categories require: valid Spanish passport, a compliant health plan covering the 7 Cancillería-required areas, a certificado de antecedentes penales with Apostille within 90 days, and income documentation. No translation required. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

Spain's Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) is a universal, tax-funded public health system managed by the central government and the 17 autonomous communities (SERMAS in Madrid, SAS in Andalucía, CatSalut in Catalonia, etc.). Coverage is based on Spanish residency registration (empadronamiento), not citizenship. The Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) is the access card. Spain also has a robust private sector — Sanitas, Adeslas, Mapfre Salud, Asisa — used alongside or instead of the SNS by many residents. SNS coverage requires active Spanish residence; EHIC/GHIC extends only to EU/EEA countries.

The Tarjeta Sanitaria, private Spanish health plans (Sanitas, Adeslas, Mapfre Salud), and MUFACE (civil servant mutual fund) all lose validity the moment you leave Spain as a resident. The Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider covering these 7 specific areas listed above.

Tax Considerations

Spain and Colombia have an active double taxation convention (CDI), signed in 2006 and in force since 2008. This treaty prevents double taxation and allocates taxing rights across income categories.

Spanish tax residency exit. The AEAT (Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria) uses 183-day presence in Spain, center of vital interests, and habitual residence to determine tax residency. To exit, file Modelo 030 with the AEAT and cancel your empadronamiento. Colombia is not classified as a tax haven (paraíso fiscal) under Spanish law, so Spain's special exit rule does not apply to Colombian relocations.

INSS pension income. Spanish social security pensions are taxed in Spain (source country) under the CDI. Colombia credits that tax, preventing double taxation. INSS pensions continue to be paid to beneficiaries in Colombia without interruption.

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

Document Legalization

Spain joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1978. For the certificado de antecedentes penales, the Apostille is issued by the Ministerio de Justicia — the same institution that issues the certificate. Documents are in Spanish. The Colombian Cancillería accepts them directly. No translation required.

Certificado de Antecedentes Penales — Step by Step

1. Request the certificate from the Ministerio de Justicia online (requires Cl@ve, certificado digital, or DNI electrónico), in person at any Gerencia Territorial, or by registered mail. Cost: free. Processing: immediate online, 3–5 days by post. Must be dated within 90 days.
2. Request the Apostille from the Ministerio de Justicia — for their own certificates, the Apostille is available simultaneously via the online portal. Electronic Apostilles include a QR verification code accepted by the Cancillería.
3. No translation required. Spanish documents are accepted directly by the Colombian Cancillería — the most significant procedural advantage for any Visa M applicant nationality.