Want Value for Money & a Fulfilling Social Life? Try Colombia
Colombia is where your money takes you far for less amid a great climate and natural environment. However, personal safety and political stability remain an issue.
In Brief
In the 2025 Expat Insider survey, Colombia (2nd) moves up from the top 5 in 2024 to the top 3 out of 46 countries. Expats there are pleased with their Personal Finance (2nd), Ease of Settling In (3rd), and Expat Essentials (9th). Outside the top 10 are the Quality of Life (18th) and Working Abroad (19th) Indices, though they’re improving in rank year-on-year. Overall, expats are happy with their life abroad in Colombia, ranking the country 5th for this factor.
A Support Network & Deep Pockets
For the second year in a row, Colombia’s Personal Finance Index ranks 2nd. Around four in five expats there (81%) are satisfied with their financial situation (vs. 54% globally), and 40% even give this factor the highest rating (vs. 19%). It’s no surprise that a high cost of living isn’t on the radar of those planning a move to Colombia — not one respondent cited it as a major concern.
In addition to deep pockets, expats in Colombia enjoy the Ease of Settling In (3rd). Survey respondents say they have a personal support network (1st), which is unsurprising given Colombia’s high ranking in the Local Friendliness (2nd) and Culture & Welcome (3rd) Subcategories. Nearly four in five expats feel both welcome (79% vs. 62% globally) and at home (77% vs. 58%) in Colombia.
Find out more in Personal Finance and Ease of Settling In.
Learn Spanish to Better Manage the Bureaucracy
The Expat Essentials Index (9th) makes it into the top 10 after placing 11th in 2024. This is mostly thanks to the Housing Subcategory (4th). The majority of expats in Colombia say accommodation is easy to find (65% vs. 44% globally) and afford (75% vs. 34%).
Not performing so well are the Admin Topics (35th) and Digital Life (30th) Subcategories. Dealing with the local authorities/bureaucracy is difficult — 65% of expats say as much (vs. 41% globally). And it isn’t made easier by a lack of administrative services online (32% negative ratings vs. 21%). Expats should also keep cash on them, as it isn’t easy to pay without (35th).
One more thing to keep in mind: learn Spanish! Only a quarter of expats say it’s easy to live in Colombia without speaking it, ranking this factor in the bottom 10 (39th). The good news though? Spanish is considered easy to learn (5th).
Looking for a Better Quality of Life
When it comes to main motivators for relocating, 17% of respondents say they moved to Colombia for a better quality of life — 10 percentage points higher than the global average (7%). According to the Quality of Life Index (18th), these expats may have found some of what they were looking for.
In terms of Leisure Options (7th) and Healthcare (9th), expats there enjoy a vibrant culture & nightlife (83% positive ratings vs. 66% globally) as well as affordable (82%) and good quality medical care (75%), compared to a respective 59% and 67% globally. The climate & weather (3rd) also delights, and accordingly so does the natural environment (11th).
Where it gets shaky is Colombia’s performance in the Travel & Transit (32nd) and Safety & Security (39th) Subcategories. Factors in the bottom 10 appear to be interrelated: the infrastructure for cars (43rd); how easy or safe it is to get around on foot or by bicycle (42nd); and expats’ personal safety (43rd). Moreover, two in five respondents (40%) say the political situation is unstable (vs. 18% globally).
On the bright side, expats find they can openly express themselves and their opinions (2nd), and public transportation is affordable (13th).
Good Career Opportunities in a Decent Job Market
In a significant improvement from 42nd place in 2023, the Working Abroad Index now sits in a decent 19th place. What expats appreciate the most are the Work & Leisure (10th) and Work Culture & Satisfaction (14th) Subcategories.
The job market in Colombia (19th) may not be stellar, but it offers a good work–life balance (2nd), and expats are overall satisfied with their jobs (2nd). And although the state of economy (35th) has room for improvement, expats have some job security (10th).
Interestingly, the percentage of expats working full time in Colombia is much lower than the global average (28% vs. 56%, respectively), with a higher share of retirees (25% vs. 11% globally). Though good news for the 17% of respondents who moved for job-related reasons: expats report excellent personal career opportunities in Colombia (1st).
The Typical Expat in Colombia
Join InterNations
The community for expats worldwide
Download
Contact
Kathrin Chudoba
Editor in chief
