Colombia entry requirements for Germany passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
No visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
German passport holders don't need a visa for Colombia for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. As of 2026, entry is straightforward: complete the free Check-Mig form online 1–5 days before your flight, and ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire time you plan to be in Colombia. German passports are accepted with no minimum validity requirement beyond your stay, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Colombia | Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at Bogotá and Medellín airports. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight out of Colombia ready — they will check the date matches your intended stay. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers may ask where you are staying, especially if you arrive without a return ticket. A hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and phone number is enough. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | You may be asked to show cash, credit cards, or bank statements covering your stay. There is no fixed minimum amount, but having at least $500 USD equivalent or a credit card with available credit works. | Recommended |
| Check-Mig pre-registrationCheck-Mig: Colombia's mandatory online pre-registration form at migracioncolombia.gov.co. Complete it within 72 hours before your flight — it takes under 5 minutes. Mandatory online form within 72 hours of arrival | Complete the free Check-Mig form at migracioncolombia.gov.co within 72 hours before your flight. You get a QR code — have it on your phone or printed. Officers scan it at immigration; without it, you may be delayed or denied boarding.Open Check-Mig form | Required |
Check-Mig is mandatory — don't skip it
You must complete the free online Check-Mig form 1–5 days before your flight. Without it, you may be denied boarding or fined up to 2,000,000 COP (about €450) on arrival. Do it at migracioncolombia.gov.co.
Extending your stay is possible
You can extend your 90-day tourist stay by another 90 days once per year. Visit a Migración Colombia office (in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, etc.) with your passport, entry stamp, and about 100,000 COP (€25). Do it before your initial 90 days expire.
What happens at the border
1
Complete Check-Mig online
Go to migracioncolombia.gov.co and fill in the Check-Mig form. Do this 1–5 days before your flight. You'll need your flight details, passport info, and accommodation address. It's free and takes about 10 minutes.
2
Arrive at Colombian immigration
At the airport (Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, etc.), follow signs to 'Migración' or 'Extranjería'. Join the queue for foreign passports. Have your passport, boarding pass, and Check-Mig confirmation ready on your phone or printed.
3
Present documents and get stamped
Hand over your passport and boarding pass. The officer may ask your purpose of visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer briefly. They'll stamp you in — usually for up to 90 days. Keep the stamp visible.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel means nothing to declare; red means random inspection. Walk through and you're in Colombia.
Download Colombia Entry Checklist
PDF · Germany Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable 90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$50 USD (approx. 200,000 COP)
For longer stays beyond visa-free period; apply at Colombian embassy.
Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity1 year from issue
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 400,000 COP)
Allows multiple entries; suitable for frequent travellers.
Long-Stay Visa (M Visa)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD (approx. 800,000 COP)
For work, study, or family reasons; requires sponsorship.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement Visa)
3 years, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. 800,000 COP) application fee
For retirees with a pension of at least ~$700 USD/month. Requires proof of income and health insurance. Allows permanent residency after 5 years.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Visa Nómada Digital)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD (approx. 400,000 COP) application fee
For remote workers earning at least ~$1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of employment and health insurance. Allows tax benefits.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor Visa)
3 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. 2,000,000 COP) application fee
For investors with a minimum investment of ~$100,000 USD in Colombian businesses or real estate. Leads to permanent residency.
work visa
Trabajador Visa (Work Visa)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. 800,000 COP) application fee
For those with a job offer from a Colombian company. Requires employer sponsorship and labor ministry approval.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (up to 90 days total)Extension fee for additional 90 days beyond initial 90-day visa-free stay. | ~$50 USD (approx. 200,000 COP) |
| Overstay fine per dayFine for overstaying visa-free period; maximum cap may apply. | ~$2 USD per day (approx. 8,000 COP) |
| Overstay fine maximum capMaximum cumulative fine for overstay. | ~$200 USD (approx. 800,000 COP) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Colombia
No transit visa needed
German passport holders do not need a transit visa for Colombia. They can transit airside without passing through immigration for up to 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- No exceptions needed; visa-free transit applies to all German passport holders.
Transit hubsEl Dorado International Airport (BOG) · José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) · Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)
Health & vaccines for Colombia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Peru).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderYellow FeverEssential
Health risks
DengueHigh risk
Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in urban and rural areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in Amazon region and some rural areas; prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
ZikaModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk in Amazon basin and some rural areas; prophylaxis recommended for travel to those regions.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bogotá
Oficina de Migración Colombia - Sede Central
Carrera 46 No. 22-45, Bogotá
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for extensions and visa issues; arrive early to avoid long queues.
Medellín
Migración Colombia - Medellín
Calle 10 No. 41-15, Medellín
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Popular for tourists; bring all required documents and payment.
Practical information for DE travellers
Country basics
CapitalBogotá
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for tourist stays.
Money
CurrencyColombian Peso (COP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3,574.94 COP
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New YorkSame (EST) / -1h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+3h (PST) / +2h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage110V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A, B — same as the US. No adapter needed.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe in Bogotá and major cities. Use bottled water outside cities.
Emergency numbers
US EmbassyFind contact
Getting to Colombia
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Colombia — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Up to 90 days per entry. You can extend for another 90 days once per year by visiting a Migración Colombia office (costs around 100,000 COP). After that, you must leave for at least 24 hours before re-entering.
No. If you're connecting through a Colombian airport and don't leave the transit area, you don't need a visa or Check-Mig. But if you need to clear immigration (e.g., to switch terminals or stay overnight), you must complete Check-Mig and meet entry requirements.
You may be denied boarding or fined up to 2,000,000 COP (about €450) upon arrival. Airlines often check for it at check-in. Complete it 1–5 days before your flight — it's free and takes 10 minutes.
Technically no. Immigration requires 6 months of validity from your entry date. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before you travel. Some airlines may also refuse boarding.
Not required for German citizens arriving directly from Europe. But if you've visited a yellow fever endemic country (e.g., Brazil, Peru) within 90 days before Colombia, you'll need proof of vaccination. It's also recommended if you plan to visit the Amazon or jungle regions.
Officially, no. The tourist stamp is for tourism only. However, many digital nomads work remotely without issues. If you plan to stay longer, consider a Digital Nomad Visa (available for up to 2 years) — you'll need proof of remote work and income.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Didi) are available. Official airport taxis cost around 50,000–70,000 COP (€12–17) to the city center. Uber is cheaper but less regulated. The TransMilenio bus (route K86) costs about 2,500 COP (€0.60) but is crowded and not recommended with luggage.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.