Cost of Living in Medellin

As of November 4 2022 $1 USD = 5,068 Colombian pesos by the end of December 2022 most likely it'll be $1 USD = 6,500 Colombian pesos music to my ears.

Petro announced September 2022 no more taxes on retirement pensions for foreigners retired in Colombia.Hes running out of money for infrastructure and social medicine for Colombians

However taxes shouldn't have ever been for retired foreigners pensions contributing to the Colombian economy in the first place.

Colombia has always been a mixed bag of corruption against retired foreigners.Unfortunately for Colombia their dishonest actions against retired foreigners has backfired upon Colombia especially since retired foreigners are leaving by the thousands and never returning to Colombia again.

Karma bites suffer

Anyone thinking of visiting medellin or anywhere else in Colombia should think twice before landing anywhere in Colombia. Violence is rife throughout the country people are desperate for food and money to buy basic things needed. Foreigners that have retired in Colombia are moving targets now. They always have been but even moreso,since the peso has lost much of its value. Don't believe all of the hype about Colombia being the place to be because false information could cost people their lives. I lived in Colombia almost 14 years as a retired foreigner but last month I left Colombia last month due to major violence against Foreigners.

Anonymous (or any accountant), regarding the retirement pensions from foreign sources, do they tax 15% to everybody or there is a variable percentage bracket (e.g. they tax more to those who receive more money from their annuities)?

Does your retirement pension counts toward the variable percentage calculation if you also have non retirement income from abroad?

I could not find answers to these questions. However, I am now sure that Colombia does tax retirees if they pensions come from abroad (see https://contadorespublicossantander.com/?p=10041#:~:text=solo%20los%20aportes%20que%20se%20efect%C3%BAan%20a%20fondos%20de%20pensi%C3%B3n%20en%20el%20pa%C3%ADs%20gozan%20del%20beneficio%20fiscal%20antes%20referido%2C%20no%20as%C3%AD%20los%20que%20se%20realicen%20a%20fondos%20en%20el%20exterior%E2%80%9D.).

For instance, if you make $2,000/month from US Social Security Retirement and $1,000/month from Internet work (US funds from the USA), Would you pay like 15% from the SSA ($300/month)? Will regard to the $1,000, would they tax you in an income bracket based on earning totaling $1,000 or $3,000? I appreciate any answer or part of the answer. I will probably talk to a Colombian accountant about this.

I know that the law is about to change and that this new government is going to charge taxes even in local pensioners, that is, those who make more than 10,000,000 COP. But again, this new proposed law will apparently apply only to pensioners who get their money in Colombia, not from foreign sources (See: https://www.semana.com/amp/finanzas/impuestos/articulo/los-pensionados-que-pagaran-cero-impuestos-y-los-que-pagaran-de-400-mil-mensuales-en-adelante/202200/#:~:text=Quienes%20ganen%2010%20millones%20de%20pesos%20o%20menos%2C%20pagar%C3%A1n%20cero.%20%E2%80%9CDe%20ah%C3%AD%20en%20adelante%2C%20entra%20en%20la%20tabla.%20Ese%20rango%20es%20un%20poquito%20m%C3%A1s%20del%2020%20%25%E2%80%9D%2C%20dijo.).

Female tourist deserve to be drugged and assaulted anywhere anytime. It's our way of saying I hope it hurts.
Kala Medellin

Medellín is a lot more dangerous than people claim it is now. On the third night I was here I got assaulted and mugged in front of the police station in Poblado, which many consider to be the safest part of the city. When the police arrived they didn't do an anything. In fact, one of them just made fun of me

Medellin is very dangerous now many foreigners getting murdered. Colombians don't like Pablo Escobars name mentioned supposedly but before he was born KANE was alive and well. It's a family tradition throughout Colombia.

About disability retirement from the US. You may receive regular SSA disability (SSDI) and live in most countries in the world legally. However, if your disability retirement annuity is vey low, and you receive "supplemental" income, I think this is considered welfare, and thus you can receive it only if you live in the United States. Also, in Colombia, be aware of the 183 day rule. If you got only $1,000/month on disability and have to pay 20% to the Colombian government, this wouldn't be a very good deal anymore. In you are a pensioner, and make $3,000/month, even at the 20% income tax bracket, that's already $600 a month.

The rent prices are way understated. A modern 1 br in a good are is 1.5M COP and not 1M

Anon3 I've only got a tourist visa and extended it never a residence visa for this reason. Even if someone has a residence visa and leaves before the 183rd day they are still classified as a resident.They could return two years later and think they're ok but once anyone has a residence visa once the 183rd day is reached say 130 days 2 years ago and came back. In 53 days they would accumulate 183 days. Agencies that get resident visas never tell anyone about DIAN procedures but agencies should be bound by law of revealing it because many are blindsided unfortunately.

Sofia

Well Anon3 I have non residence status because I only stay in Colombia 160 days per year Many think they can leave Colombia for several days and it reverts back like starting from the beginning but it doesn't. Any accumulation of 183 days per year does make anyone a tax resident regardless.For example let's say someone arrives in Colombia on October 1st stays 3 months then another 3 months and 3 days the following year.DIAN recognizes split years as counting towards the 183 day rule. Regardless of if someone has a tourist visa and extends it the same rules apply. Many who visit Colombia from abroad automatically assume the roll over year starts again until they get hit with a large tax bill from DIAN Furthermore once the 183rd day occurs a person will be taxed for the entire year on their income whether they're pensioners or not. I'm an international tax lawyer but it doesn't take a degree to figure it out. DIAN plays it this way to throw people off. I've never owed anything in taxes.I hope this has enlightened you on tax regs.

Sofia

Anon, are you SURE you leaving for a week exempts your retirement from taxes? You had better check with a TAX LAWYER or you could be in for a world of hurt if you are wrong. I am pretty sure the days you mentioned refers to TOTAL days stayed in the country during a calendar year, not days stayed in a row. I am not positive but look into it and be SURE.

I was also under the understanding that you are either granted a resident status or not, I am assuming you intentionally never got resident status? if you did receive resident status don't assume it just magically changes to nonresident status depending on your data in the country. It is true you can lose your resident status being away too much but things take time, you may assume you lost it but still be listed as a resident.

But it sounds like you are essentially living there full time, I would bet that you owe a lot of money and just have been lucky and not been caught yet.

Anon, just because you are dumb and got scammed does NOT mean everything is "insanely expensive". You getting swindled has no effect on local prices in Colombia.

Costs are low, stop lying.

The information about living in another country while receiving US disability is just plain wrong. I receive SSDI with no problem living in Medellin

Now what I WILL bitch about is the beer. Beer in Colombia is consistently low-test: 4 or 5%. Wines tend to run 10.5-12%, even Cabs. Antioquia slaps on a Depto alcohol tax that runs up prices a bit. The cheapest wines seem to run 18550/liter ($5.50 or so). Even the "artisanal" beers tend to be low test and deficient in body, malt character and hopping to US tastes. The best I've found is Tres Cordilleras, which runs about 17000 a 3-pack (~$1.70/bottle. It has a suggestion -- but just a suggestion -- of actual flavor, but little body. The strongest "IPA" is maybe 6.4 abv, deficient in hopping, and would be considered a session beer in the States. There has to be some reason for this, since it is no minor feat to set up a brewery, bottling operation & distribution. Maybe it's just the local tastes. The majority of what's sold in CO, as in most tropical r island locales, is "fizzy yellow beer." And don't get me started on Panamanian artisanals. I swear they add quinine to boost the bitterness. Never has a hops plant been grown with piercing bitterness that lasts 5 minutes.

# Joseph B. After answering your question about living in Colombia for under 183 days I noticed you mentioned you receive U S disability.You cannot live in any country including Colombia and receive disability payments from the U S.The first time you swipe your debit card in any other country it'll red flag your disability payments account and you won't receive them anymore.I believe the U S government calls it fraudulent use,the correct term.

Breast augmentation in Bogota cost $13,700 USD but I got mine done in Medellin for $11,000 USD.

Anyone have an idea about the price of breast augmentation in Medellin or Bogota?

To " GRINGO " The person who posted about income taxes for pensions abroad concerning U S social security retirement pensions is correct.Social security retirement pensions up to $1,090 USD per month or $ 13,080 yearly is nontaxable in Colombia.From $1,090 USD to $1,700 USD taxable at 19%. Incomes from $1,700 USD to $4,100 USD are taxable at 28% and so on. The same tax table applies to U S railroad pensions or any other type of pensions thereof.Tax filing with DIAN runs between August 9th through October 19th of each calendar year to file for the priror tax year.After 183 days living in Colombia you're a tax resident even if you live outside of Colombia you're a tax resident for that calendar year,the full year and you're liabale for taxes owed to Colombia.That's Colombian law not my law.I'm a tax accountant for many clients throughout Colombia and my specialty is doing taxes for expats whether they're retired receiving pensions, running businesses,or purchasing realestate.Yes I'm a U S citizen and I've activity been in business for over 22 years now in Medellin.I also do taxes for people receiving railroad commission pensions as well.The penalty for being delinquent to file taxes is on October 20th of each calendar year.I did 47 railroad pensions last October so I know the average amounts they make per month and annually.Admin (RRB) board members make $3,415 monthly or $40,980 annually.Rail employees make ,$2,730 monthly or $32,760 annually.Colombia would charge 28% + 8% = 36% annually which for a rail employee would be _$11,793.60 USD owed in penalties annually do the math these are current penalty rates.It doesn't matter if anyone is married or not everyone in Colombia files separately not jointly, that's the law too.Foreigners can and do own realestate in Colombia myself included.If anyone has dependants in Colombia a very small deduction is allowed,and rarely given as a rule.When I have clients ie expats such as yourself come into my office and start telling me the tax laws in Colombia I refer them to DIAN.Giving no information is better than giving incorrect information as you've given.I'm not soliciting business for myself
since my roster stays full with clients.FYI the Colombian government gives alot of leeway and will say nothing or send anything regarding taxes owed to anyone.However since you're an expat they only look at the last two numbers on your passport to determine the length of time you've spent in Colombia in It doesn't matter if you spend 183 days in Colombia and the rest elsewhere you're still a tax resident, that's the law.Since you and your wife purchased a condo in Bogota taxes are due on that also but taxes must be paid separately by you and your wife.Many expats make the same mistakes as you do thinking you're exempt.The majority I've encountered at my office in Medellin.You cannot avoid paying taxes in Colombia on your global income remember that.Some of my former clients are doing lengthy time in prison for tax evasion only because they ignored DIAN'S tax laws.One day they'll pick you up without notice.It happens more often than people realise in Colombia.Oh BTW runners interstate flight as it's called is alive and well in Colombia.Its an agreement the U S and Colombia has.Good luck hotshot you're going to need it where DIAN is concerned.

I laughed when reading these posts. I agree with Anonymous of March 03,2019 on most of what he said. I international Lawyer must
Of smoked to much Colombia Gold.
People like him don't belong in Colombia. Married to a Colombia a live with her 6 years without ever leaving the country. We are just getting ready after living in San Antonio TX 3 years. She just got her US Citizenship last week. So will be heading back to live again in one of most beautiful country on this Earth. He is what we call The Ugly American. Lived in Bogota and had a beautiful Condo in the Northside. We Bought there
We live on my Railroad Retirement pension (Not Social Security). My Pension was never taxed as was Exempt. Just paided property tax.
And whatever we bought from the big grocery stores or Malls. Food is cheaper as we bought all our fresh fruit & Veggies from the street vendors or a big open food for fresh fish and a small Butcher shop for meat. Nothing was taxed.
I didn't speak good Spanish. Found the people Very honest and very friendly & helpful,. They love north Americans . Beautiful Woman
All over the country. Now we live in a Small Village as I grow fruit
And coffee now. These people who want to tear down should just get the hell out.

Never got mugged or had any trouble as I dressed most the time
Like a Texas Cowboy and showed respect to everyone. Never flashed money around just be a little humble and let them know that you love there Country and never think your above them. More crime here in the States the in the so called
3rd world.

The prices are all about right except for rent. Rent in neighborhoods expats will want to live is close to double, and will probably be more than double cause it's very tough to rent--you need cosigners and huge deposits. So most expats rent from a subletter, or middle man.

The hate from some ppl below about the city is surprising and unwarrented. One person claimed it's a 3rd world city with 3rd world aditude, but it won "most innovative city in the world" a few yrs ago. It's modern, clean, good infrastructure, good public parks and facilities, beautiful greenery (in the nicer neighborhoods). The climate is also about perfect yr round and water is drinkable. There are vast slums which stretch up the hills, but there's no need to ever go there.

There is crime, but you just take percaussions like any other major city. It's not really a deterent to me living here. The only real problem is the pollution, which is moderate most of the yr, but gets bad for 2-3 months, when the rainy season arrives and cooler air meets hot air, forming a smog trap over the valley. The city is aware of the problem and is active in increasing public transport and limiting days/week ppl can drive.

Ok that's all. I live in Medellin and basically love it. Also someone was saying its a "small city"...it has 3 million ppl.