Health insurance in Colombia
Medical coverage for expats & foreigners
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Why get private health insurance in Colombia?
Colombia's public system is under serious strain, with major insurers in crisis or pulling out. And even if you want to use it, you can't enroll until you have your national ID card (cédula de extranjería), which takes three to eight weeks after your visa is stamped. And paying out of pocket isn't cheap: a private GP visit runs about COP 155,000 (€37), and a hospital room around COP 1,000,000 (€240) a night.
Plus, most Colombian visas require private insurance with repatriation.
How does the healthcare system work in Colombia?
The public health system
Colombia's public health system (Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud, or SGSSS) is delivered through health providers known as Entidades Promotoras de Salud, or EPS (including Sura, Sanitas, Compensar, and Nueva EPS). As a foreigner, you can only enroll once you hold your national ID card. The sector is in a severe financial crisis at the moment, with widespread service delays.
Colombian pharmacies & medication
Pharmacies (droguerías, marked by a green cross) are everywhere in the cities. The big chains (Cruz Verde, La Rebaja, Farmatodo, Locatel) have 24-hour locations and excellent delivery through Rappi. Pharmacists speak Spanish; English help is rare outside the expat hubs in Bogotá and Medellín.
Emergency services in Colombia
Dial 123, Colombia's single emergency line for police, ambulance, and fire. Response in Bogotá and Medellín runs 20–45 minutes, and dispatch is mostly in Spanish. Private services (like EMI and Coomeva) are faster. Private clinics ask uninsured patients for a deposit of around COP 1,250,000 (€300) before treatment.
What expats need health insurance?
Digital nomads
The Digital Nomad visa (V Nómadas Digitales) requires private insurance with repatriation. A travel policy won't qualify.
Retirees
The Pensionado visa requires private insurance plus repatriation of remains. Feather's plans meet these requirements.
Families
The public system doesn't fully cover routine dental, and private clinics ask the uninsured for a deposit up front.
Students
The student visa requires private insurance covering accidents, illness, hospital care, and repatriation. Universities often ask for proof of coverage.
Get global health insurance that works in Colombia
Plans from €56/month. Sign up online in minutes.
How much is health insurance in Colombia?
Without cover, the bills add up fast: a private GP visit costs COP 155,000+ (€37), a specialist visit COP 250,000+ (€60), and a private hospital room COP 1,000,000+ (€240) a night.
Public healthcare in Colombia
Contributions to the public system amount to 12.5% of your income, split between employer and employee, or paid in full if self-employed (on 40% of gross income). It's comprehensive on paper, but the sector is in crisis, with widespread delays and slow registration once you enroll.
Private medical insurance
Our plans start at €56/month for Essential and €84/month for Plus. You'll get outpatient and inpatient care, plus dental, mental health, maternity, and medical evacuation.
Visa & health insurance requirements for Colombia
The major Colombian visas require private health insurance covering all risks plus medical repatriation, in Spanish or English, with Colombia named in the policy's territorial scope.
Accepted for all major Colombian visas
Feather meets the Foreign Ministry's all-risk requirement: for the Digital Nomad (V Nómadas Digitales), Pensionado, Worker, and Student visas.
Documents ready when you sign up
Your proof of cover, in English and Spanish, lands in your account the moment you sign up. Accepted by Colombian consulates.
How does Feather's international health insurance work?
Choose your plan
Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.
Get your documents instantly
Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.
Visit any doctor
See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.
Upload your bill in the app
Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.
Get reimbursed to your account
We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.
Cancel anytime after year one
There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.
Join 200,000+ expats covered with Feather
Get global medical coverage in under 5 minutes.
Why choose Feather?
200,000+ happy customers
Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.
100,000+ claims processed
Paid out in three weeks on average.
4.8 Star rating
On over 2,500 reviews.
English-speaking support
Our team speaks your language.
All digital
Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.
Privacy first
Your data is stored securely in Europe.
Don't take our word for it
Dajana was amazing
“She answered all our questions and provided clear and detailed responses to ensure we select the proper coverage. The whole experience was perfect! I am confident I made the right choice going with Feather!”
Mascia
I trust them. No BS.
“They don't sugar coat the insurances, if they don't provide the best option, they would help you understand what's the best one.”
Michal
Super helpful
“The representative answered my questions clearly and helped me make sure I was aware of my options! This was the perfect fit for my situation as an expat looking for a job in Spain and needing temporary coverage.”
Erin
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Takes 2 minutes. From €56 per month. 4.8/5 rated on over 2,500 reviews.
