International Health insurance in Colombia

Columbia's General Healthcare Social Security scheme (Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud, SGSSS) provides universal health coverage to the entire Colombian population and access to quality basic healthcare via fair premiums. Efficiency and quality of service are top priority:  the scheme aims to improve health conditions by allocating resources for primary healthcare and prevention in rural and poor areas, and ensuring all health services meet the best possible standards depending on available resources. 

Foreign citizens can take out health insurance with EPS, a private organization supervised by the Colombian state. Like a French health insurance plan, it enables reimbursements for medical care received in Colombia. Another option is the “Medicina Prepagada”, an alternative high-end private health insurance system. Premiums are based on age and any pre-existing illness on the subscription date.

Doctors in Columbia are highly qualified and most of them have trained abroad. The majority work in the country's largest cities and the cost is usually affordable.
However, the quality of medical services can vary from location to location. Non-Colombian citizens should always visit a GP or specialist doctor in a private facility because that's where most of the highly qualified doctors work.

Lots of foreigners come to Colombia to benefit from the country's efficient medical care. But quality comes with a price: a consultation with a renowned doctor in the private sector will cost much more than with a public one.

Public hospitals
Public hospitals operate emergency services but they're very overcrowded. Standards are high in large cities but hospitals in rural areas can't always meet minimum health requirements. The cost of medical care in public hospitals is reasonable and usually covered by the Colombian Social Security system.

Private hospitals 
Private facilities provide better service and are generally recommended for expatriates or travelers in Colombia. Cash advances are usually required for medical services, but they are affordable. 

In case of emergency - dial 123 

There are lots of pharmacies in Colombia and in large cities like Bogota or Medellin, some are open 24/7. The cost of medication is lower than in other developed countries - although certain drugs are restricted and antibiotics are not always easy to find. Be sure to check that your medication is available before you go or where an equivalent can be found.

Application requirements are quite similar for all nationalities, however some have to supply more documents.

To apply for a visa in Columbia, you have to:
-  Be aged 18 -30 inclusive
-  Be without dependents
-  Have a valid passport 
-  Have proof of adequate savings to live in Columbia 
-  Have a clean criminal record 
-  Have a medical certificate proving that you're in good health  
-  Have international health insurance to cover the length of your stay 
-  Have never had a working holiday visa for Columbia before (1st participation)
-  Have the funds necessary to buy a return ticket

If you're a French national applying in French:
The first step to getting a visa for Columbia is to sign up on the embassy website and provide all the required documents: passport, bank statements, criminal record extract, medical certificate, insurance certificate, return ticket.

After that, you can book an appointment with the Columbian embassy, specifying your personal details, your passport number, the type of visa you require and your "number de solicitud"  - the reference number that you were given during the first stage. 

The embassy will then send you a choice of interview dates to evaluate your reasons for living in Columbia.

Other nationalities:
Please visit the official website to check if your nationality is eligible for a WHV in Columbia

The best health insurance solution for your working holiday abroad is Start'Expat - our ready-to go package for international coverage from 1 to 12 months.