Tunisian Expats in Colombia: Health Insurance & Visa Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

Why Tunisian Professionals Choose Colombia

Colombia has become an increasingly attractive destination for Tunisian engineers, IT professionals, healthcare specialists and entrepreneurs. The cost of living in Bogotá and Medellín is competitive compared to Western Europe, where many Tunisians traditionally emigrate, and Colombia's thriving startup ecosystem — ranked third in Latin America — offers real opportunities for tech and business professionals.

Tunisia has long been a medical tourism hub in the Maghreb, attracting patients from Libya and sub-Saharan Africa for cosmetic surgery, dentistry and specialist care. Tunisian healthcare professionals bring highly regarded medical training and find demand in Colombia's growing private healthcare sector, particularly in cities such as Bogotá, Barranquilla and Cartagena.

Colombia's diverse geography, Mediterranean-adjacent climate in its highland cities, and vibrant cultural life resonate with Tunisians accustomed to a Mediterranean lifestyle. The growing Arab and Maghrebi community in Colombia also provides social and professional support networks for newcomers.

Entry Status — Prior Visa Required

Tunisian passport holders must obtain a Colombian visa before travelling to Colombia, regardless of the purpose of travel (tourism, business, study or work). Applications are submitted at the Colombian Embassy in Tunis or through the Cancillería digital platform. Once in Colombia with a valid visa, Tunisian nationals may apply for the Visa M for regular residency.

Migrant Visa (Visa M) — 2026 Costs

The Visa M is the temporary residence category for foreigners wishing to live, work or study regularly in Colombia. A valid prior visa is required to enter Colombia before initiating this process.

The minimum income requirement for most Visa M subcategories is 1 SMMLV (COP 1,423,500/month). Health insurance with full coverage is mandatory for all Visa M categories.

Healthcare System and Health Insurance in Colombia

Visa M holders in Colombia must join an EPS (health provider) or take out a private health insurance policy covering their entire stay. Colombia's healthcare system (SGSSS) is among the strongest in Latin America, with major university hospitals and private clinics in all major cities.

Tunisia operates a relatively well-developed public health system for the region. The Ministère de la Santé Publique oversees a network of major university hospitals: CHU Charles Nicolle in Tunis is the national flagship centre; CHU Farhat Hached (Sousse) and CHU Habib Bourguiba (Sfax) serve the central and southern regions. The CNAM (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie) provides mandatory social health insurance for formal-sector employees, while the CNSS covers disability and maternity benefits. The private sector is well developed, with institutions such as Clinique Hannibal and Polyclinique de la Soukra offering quality care. Tunisia is a recognised medical tourism destination, attracting patients from Libya, Algeria and sub-Saharan Africa for specialised and cosmetic procedures. However, none of these Tunisian schemes provide international coverage; a private health insurance policy is essential for any Tunisian living in Colombia.

Your Colombian health insurance policy must cover these 7 mandatory categories:

Tunisian Tax System Overview

Tunisia's tax authority is the Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI). The personal income tax, known as IRPP (Impôt sur le Revenu des Personnes Physiques), is progressive with rates reaching up to 35% on income of Tunisian source. Only income earned in or sourced from Tunisia is generally subject to IRPP for residents. There is no capital gains tax on securities traded on the Bourse de Tunis, and no inheritance tax in the traditional sense.

Tunisia operates a notable offshore export regime that grants significant fiscal benefits to companies exporting the majority of their output. A 19% VAT applies to most goods and services. Since 2021, Tunisia has been engaged in an IMF economic stabilisation programme addressing fiscal deficits and public debt sustainability, which has had some effect on purchasing power and the value of the Tunisian Dinar.

Tunisian nationals who become tax residents of Colombia (more than 183 days in a calendar year) will have their worldwide income subject to Colombian income tax from the second fiscal year of residence. There is no Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) between Tunisia and Colombia, so professional tax advice is strongly recommended before relocating.

Apostille and Document Legalization

Tunisia has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2019, which streamlines document legalization for use in Colombia. The process involves 3 steps:

1. Obtain the original document from the issuing authority: the Extrait de Casier Judiciaire (bulletin N°3) is obtained from the Court of First Instance in the applicant's district of residence, or requested online via the e-tribunal portal (justice.gov.tn). Academic certificates are obtained from the issuing institution.
2. Apostille issued by the Ministry of Justice of Tunisia, Tunis. Estimated processing time: 5 to 10 working days. For Tunisians residing abroad, the process can also be initiated through the Tunisian Embassy in Bogotá.
3. Certified Spanish translation carried out by a sworn translator certified by or recognised under the Colombian Ministry of Justice. Tunisian documents are in Arabic and/or French, so translation AR/FR→EN or AR/FR→ES is required depending on the document's language.

The Extrait de Casier Judiciaire N°3 must generally be no older than 90 days at the time of submission to Migración Colombia. Confirm the validity period when preparing your Visa M application.