Health · Visas 2026

Colombia Health Insurance Requirements for Foreigners: Tourism vs. Visa Applications

One of the most expensive mistakes foreigners make is submitting a tourist travel insurance policy when Cancillería requires a specific medical assistance plan. Here is the clear difference.

For short-stay tourism

If you enter as a tourist (up to 90 days for most nationalities), a conventional international travel insurance policy is usually sufficient. It covers medical emergencies during the trip and is recommended, although it is not always checked at the migration control.

For long-stay visas (Resolution 5477)

When you apply for a Migrant (M), long-stay Visitor, Digital Nomad, Pensioner, Investor or similar visa, Cancillería requires a medical assistance plan that expressly covers:

• Accidents
• Illness
• Hospitalization
• Disability
• Maternity
• Repatriation
• Death

These coverages must be explicitly stated in the contract. A generic travel insurance that only mentions “medical emergencies” is often rejected or generates additional requirements.

EPS vs. Visa Plan

They are different systems:

• Visa Plan: meets Resolution 5477. Only requires a passport. It is the first step to obtain the visa.
• EPS: Colombian public health system. Requires a cédula de extranjería and costs approximately USD 50-70 per month. You affiliate after obtaining the visa and the cédula.

Without an approved visa plan you cannot obtain the visa or affiliate to the EPS.

What to look for in a 2026 plan

• Explicit coverage of the 7 categories in Resolution 5477
• No age limit (important for retirees)
• Possibility of 1, 2 or 3-year contracts
• Consular letter included for submission to Cancillería
• Real advisory (not just a bot)

Information based on Resolution 5477 of 2022. Does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always verify contract terms and current requirements.