Do I need health insurance in Colombia as a digital nomad?
Health insurance is required if you are applying for the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa, as applicants must present proof of private medical coverage. Travellers who are visiting without a visa often choose international insurance as well, since private hospitals may request upfront payment and medical costs can vary.
- Visa requirement: The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa requires valid private health insurance at the time of application.
- Medical costs: A consultation at a private clinic can range from $40–80, and hospital treatment or emergency care can lead to significantly higher expenses.
- Upfront payment: Many private facilities ask foreign visitors to pay before treatment. Some insurers may assist with direct billing in specific situations.
- Local health risks: Common risks include altitude effects in Bogotá (2,600m), dengue fever in warmer regions, traffic-related injuries, and foodborne illnesses.
- Language considerations: Outside international clinics, Spanish is typically required. Access to 24/7 English-language support can help when coordinating care.
- Medical evacuation: In uncommon serious cases, evacuation to another country (such as Panama, Mexico, or the U.S.) might be necessary, which can be costly without dedicated coverage.
💡 In short: Health insurance is a formal requirement for the visa and a practical consideration for anyone spending time in Colombia’s private healthcare system.
Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance: which one is relevant for Colombia?
The type of insurance you choose depends on your stay length and purpose. Digital nomad insurance is commonly used by people working remotely, staying for several weeks or months, or applying for the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa, as it offers flexible coverage periods and can provide visa-ready documents. Standard travel insurance is usually designed for short, fixed-duration trips.
Duration of coverage
- Travel insurance: Typically applies to short trips (around 30–60 days) with a planned return date.
- Digital nomad insurance: Offers flexible monthly or annual terms and can usually be renewed while already abroad.
Visa documentation
- Travel insurance: May not include the official certificate format required for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa.
- Digital nomad insurance: Often provides documentation that aligns with migration office requirements.
Purchase timing
- Travel insurance: Commonly must be purchased before leaving your home country and often requires a confirmed return date.
- Digital nomad insurance: Can generally be bought or extended while you are already in Colombia.
Work considerations
- Travel insurance: Frequently excludes professional or remote-work activities.
- Digital nomad insurance: Built with remote work and location-independent lifestyles in mind.
Activities & lifestyle
- Travel insurance: Certain activities, such as diving, trekking, or paragliding, may be excluded.
- Digital nomad insurance: Many plans include these activities or offer optional add-ons.
👉 For a broader explanation, you can read our full comparison of Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance in order to find what you really need.
Genki: medical-first health insurance with high coverage limits
Genki is commonly used by digital nomads who need private health insurance for the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa or who plan to stay in the country for several months. It is a health-focused international insurance plan with a high medical limit, a low deductible, and the ability to provide visa-ready documentation.
Key features of Genki in Colombia
- Monthly price: From €52.50 (~$58/month)
- Coverage limit: Up to €1,000,000 annually (~$1.1M)
- Deductible: €50 per claim (waived for inpatient stays)
- Waiting period: 14 days for non-emergency treatment (waived for emergencies or if you had prior qualifying coverage)
- Sports & activities that may be included:
- Trekking up to 4,000m (e.g., Ciudad Perdida)
- Surfing (non–big wave) and recreational diving up to 30m (e.g., San Andrés, Taganga)
- Paragliding (common in San Gil)
- On-piste skiing/snowboarding
- Home-country coverage: Up to 6 weeks when you’ve been abroad for at least 4 weeks
- Support services: 24/7 English-language assistance; direct billing may be available for inpatient stays at certain private hospitals
Colombia-specific considerations
- Visa documentation: Genki can issue insurance certificates that are commonly used for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa applications.
- Climate & altitude: Coverage applies nationwide, whether you are at higher elevations (e.g., Bogotá), moderate climates (e.g., Medellín), or coastal regions.
- Direct billing: In some private hospitals, direct billing arrangements may reduce the need for upfront payment for inpatient care.
Genki limitations to note
- Pre-existing or chronic conditions are excluded
- No coverage for preventive care, mental health, or maternity
- Dental care is accident-only (up to €1,000)
- Alternative treatments (acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.) are not included
Who commonly uses Genki
Digital nomads applying for the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa or staying for longer periods often choose Genki because of its high medical limit and visa-oriented documentation.
SafetyWing: Flexible international coverage with travel-related benefits
SafetyWing is commonly chosen by digital nomads who want an international plan that combines medical coverage with travel-related protections. It is used by travellers who move between Colombia and other Latin American countries because its coverage structure accommodates ongoing regional travel. While its medical limit is lower than Genki’s, SafetyWing includes several non-medical benefits such as luggage protection and trip interruption.
Key features of SafetyWing in Colombia
- Monthly price: From $56 per 4 weeks for ages 18–39 (higher for older travellers)
- Coverage limit: $250,000 per policy period
- Deductible: No deductible; in the U.S. only, $100 per ER visit and $50 per urgent-care visit
- Policy length: Flexible 5–364-day terms, auto-extended in 28-day cycles (up to 364 days); available until age 69
- Home-country coverage: Up to 30 days every 90 days (15 days for U.S. citizens)
- Travel-related benefits included:
- Lost luggage (up to $3,000 per policy, $500/item, $6,000 lifetime)
- Trip interruption
- Liability protection
- Civil-unrest evacuation
- Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
- Sports coverage: Many activities may be included; higher-risk activities (such as paragliding or advanced diving) are available through the Adventure Sports upgrade
- Add-ons: Electronics protection, U.S. coverage, and additional sports coverage
Colombia-specific considerations of SafetyWing
- Regional flexibility: Coverage continues when travelling to nearby countries such as Panama, Ecuador, or Peru.
- Combined travel + medical benefits: The inclusion of luggage, liability, and trip-interruption protection may be useful for nomads moving between cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena.
- Automatic renewals: Keeps coverage continuous without requiring new applications during extended stays.
SafetyWing limitations to note
- Lower medical cap compared to some other plans
- No coverage for routine check-ups, preventive care, or many chronic conditions
- Cancer treatment is not included in the standard plan
- Direct billing is less common, and payment upfront may be required before claiming reimbursement
Who commonly uses SafetyWing
SafetyWing is often chosen by nomads travelling on tighter budgets or by those using Colombia as a base for wider Latin American travel, particularly when travel-related benefits are useful.
Genki vs SafetyWing: key differences for Colombia
The main difference is that Genki focuses on high-limit health insurance with documentation commonly used for visa applications, while SafetyWing combines health and travel benefits used by nomads moving around Latin America.
Visa documentation (Colombia Digital Nomad Visa)
- Genki: Can issue certificates commonly used for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa.
- SafetyWing: May not always match visa documentation needs; often used by travellers not applying for the visa.
Medical coverage limits
- Genki: Up to €1,000,000 annually (~$1.1M).
- SafetyWing: $250,000 per policy period.
Deductible
- Genki: €50 per claim (waived for inpatient stays).
- SafetyWing: No deductible; in the US: $100 per ER visit and $50 per urgent care.
Travel extras
- Genki: Health-only.
- SafetyWing: Includes lost luggage, liability, trip interruption, and civil-unrest evacuation.
Sports & activities
- Genki: May include trekking up to 4,000m, surfing, recreational diving up to 30m, and paragliding.
- SafetyWing: Many activities require the Adventure Sports add-on.
Hospital access in Colombia
- Genki: Direct billing may be possible for inpatient care at select private hospitals.
- SafetyWing: Upfront payment is often required before claiming.
How travellers commonly use them
- Genki: Common among digital nomads applying for the Digital Nomad Visa or staying several months.
- SafetyWing: Common among nomads travelling around Latin America who want combined medical and travel features.
Genki vs. SafetyWing comparison table
Genki
- Visa documentationCertificates commonly used for Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa ✅
- Annual medical limit€1,000,000
- Deductible€50 (waived inpatient)
- Travel extrasNo
- Sports coverageMay include trekking, diving, surfing
- Hospital access in ColombiaDirect billing may be possible
SafetyWing
- Visa documentationMay not meet visa documentation needs ⚠️
- Annual medical limit$250,000
- DeductibleNone (US copays apply)
- Travel extrasYes: luggage, liability, trip interruption
- Sports coverageAdventure Sports add-on required
- Hospital access in ColombiaOften pay upfront and claim later
| Feature |
Genki |
SafetyWing |
| Visa documentation | Certificates commonly used for Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa ✅ | May not meet visa documentation needs ⚠️ |
| Annual medical limit | €1,000,000 | $250,000 |
| Deductible | €50 (waived inpatient) | None (US copays apply) |
| Travel extras | No | Yes: luggage, liability, trip interruption |
| Sports coverage | May include trekking, diving, surfing | Adventure Sports add-on required |
| Hospital access in Colombia | Direct billing may be possible | Often pay upfront and claim later |
What’s important when choosing insurance for Colombia?
The most important factors when choosing insurance for Colombia include visa documentation, access to private healthcare, and coverage that reflects the country’s varied environments. Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa also requires specific proof of private health insurance.
- Visa documentation: Some insurers can provide documentation commonly used for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa. Requirements vary, so applicants often check whether a provider offers migration-ready certificates.
- Private hospital access: Most digital nomads use private clinics and hospitals in cities such as Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena. These facilities may require upfront payment unless direct billing is available through the insurer.
- Deductible size: The deductible is the amount you pay before your insurer contributes. A higher deductible can reduce monthly costs but may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses for smaller treatments.
- Altitude & climate risks: Bogotá sits at 2,600m, where altitude-related symptoms are more common. Coastal regions may have tropical risks such as dengue. Some travellers look for plans that address both environments.
- Adventure sports: Activities like trekking (Ciudad Perdida), recreational diving (San Andrés), and paragliding (San Gil) may or may not be included, depending on the policy. Some plans require add-ons for higher-risk activities.
- Natural disaster coverage: Colombia can experience earthquakes, landslides, and flooding. Policies may differ in how they treat natural disaster coverage.
- Regional coverage: Many nomads use Colombia as a base for travel around Latin America. Some plans include neighbouring countries within the same policy without extra paperwork.
- Language support: 24/7 English-language assistance can help when accessing healthcare, as Spanish is the primary language in most clinics and hospitals.
💡 General note: Applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa often check whether an insurer provides visa-friendly documentation, while long-term travellers moving around Latin America may focus on flexibility and travel-related features.
Do expats in Colombia need health insurance?
Health insurance is required for expats applying for certain long-term visas in Colombia, and many long-term residents choose to have coverage because ongoing healthcare needs differ from short-term travel or nomad stays. Digital nomad insurance can work for emergencies or visa applications, while expats often look for access to routine care, prescriptions, and chronic condition support.
- Public healthcare (EPS): Residents with eligible long-term visas can enrol in the public system known as EPS (Entidades Promotoras de Salud). It is widely used and relatively affordable, though wait times can be long, English is uncommon, and some treatments are not included.
- Private international coverage: Many expats combine EPS with an international plan for faster access, broader limits, and English-language support. In smaller cities, private clinics may ask for upfront payment unless direct billing is available.
- Hospital choice: Colombia has well-regarded private hospitals in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and other major cities. Some facilities work with international insurers for direct billing, while others require payment first and reimbursement afterward.
- Routine and preventive care: Expat-oriented plans may include benefits beyond emergency treatment, such as check-ups, maternity care, or dental coverage. These are usually not part of basic international emergency-only plans.
- Emergency evacuation: In rare severe cases, medical evacuation to another country may be required. Plans that include evacuation can help address these higher costs.
- Common approach among expats: Expats staying longer than six months often choose more comprehensive international coverage rather than emergency-only plans, depending on their healthcare needs and frequency of routine medical visits.
💡 General note: Coverage preferences vary, but long-term residents often consider a combination of EPS and an international policy to ensure access to both everyday care and higher-cost emergencies.
Final recommendation: insurance options for digital nomads in Colombia
The most suitable type of insurance for digital nomads in Colombia depends on whether visa documentation or combined travel + medical features are more relevant to your situation.
- Genki is commonly used by digital nomads who are applying for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa, staying longer periods, or who need higher medical limits together with visa-friendly documentation.
- SafetyWing is often used by nomads who prefer flexible coverage that includes both medical and travel-related features, especially when Colombia is part of a broader Latin America itinerary.
Both providers offer online sign-up, international coverage, and 24/7 support. These features can help travellers navigate Colombia’s private healthcare system, where upfront costs may apply without insurance.
