As a foreigner living in Colombia, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
We asked expats in Colombia if they have access to public healthcare in Colombia. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...
"Yes, foreigners living in Colombia have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Colombia is known as the Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS). It is a comprehensive system that provides access to medical services, including preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The quality of care varies depending on the region, but overall, the public healthcare system in Colombia is considered to be of good quality," remarked another expat who made the move to Colombia.
"I am enrolled with EPS Sanitas,I am the only expat in the whole State of Caqueta. If I am working at a school, the school pays for my health Ins. If I am taking time off from teaching, I pay in the area of $30. USD per month plus a 1 dollar co-pay. My health Ins covers EVERYTHING.. Ambulance, Doctor visits, Hospital stays, Open heart surgery, Medications, Specialist, and any kind of testing necessary. etc... Pre existing = no problem. We have 2 public and 1 private Hospital in Florencia.. The quality of care lately has been lacking a little sicnce Covid hit. The really good Doctors seem to be leaving the area for the bigger cities," explained one expat living in Florencia, Colombia.
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Colombian Visa ServicesWe have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Colombia?
- How do I find a place to live in Colombia?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Colombia?
- What is the average cost of housing in Colombia?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Colombia?
- What should I pack when moving to Colombia?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Colombia?
- Why do people move to Colombia?
- What are healthcare services like in Colombia?
- What are medical services in Colombia like?
- What are typical rents in Colombia?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
As a foreigner living in Colombia, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
If you live in Colombia, newcomers to Colombia would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

