Veterans in Colombia
Medellín's mild climate and good hospitals, with a pensionado visa tied to the Colombian minimum wage.
Entering Colombia
90 days on entry, extendable to 180 days per calendar year through Migración Colombia.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- M-Pensionado visa: a pension of at least 3 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage (about USD 1,300–1,400/month in 2026, after a large minimum-wage increase). Health insurance required.
VA care and benefits in Colombia
No VA facilities. Foreign Medical Program reimbursement. Colombia is on VA's international direct deposit list.
Healthcare
Strong private hospitals: Fundación Santa Fe (Bogotá), Pablo Tobón Uribe (Medellín), Valle del Lili (Cali).
Where veterans live
- Medellín (El Poblado, Laureles): Mild climate, good hospitals.
- Cartagena / Santa Marta: Caribbean coast.
- Pereira / Manizales: Coffee region, low cost.
- Bogotá: Capital, U.S. Embassy.
Cost of living
Roughly USD 1,200–2,000 a month. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle. Health insurance is not included.
Money, language and time
Colombian peso (COP) · Spanish · UTC-5
Buying property
Foreigners can own property. Register the purchase as foreign investment.
Watch out for
Dating-app robberies, drugging with scopolamine, express kidnappings. Check the current State Department advisory level.
Veteran organizations
American Legion Department of Latin America lists posts in Colombia. See veteran organizations abroad.
Common questions
What pension do I need to retire in Colombia?
At least 3 times the Colombian monthly minimum wage, roughly USD 1,300–1,400 a month in 2026.
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.