Respuesta directa: Los titulares de visa Migrante Pensionado tienen PROHIBIDO usar la EPS colombiana — deben mantener un plan privado como el de CoVisas durante toda la visa. Para visas de trabajador, la EPS puede activarse por nómina del empleador. Para todas las demás visas V y M, el plan privado CoVisas es el camino. Consultar sin costo →
Two Very Different Systems — and Why the Difference Matters for Visa Applicants
Colombia has two parallel health coverage systems for residents: the national contributory health system (EPS) and private medical assistance plans. Understanding which one applies to your situation is not just a matter of preference — it determines whether your visa application will be approved or declared inadmissible.
What Is EPS?
EPS (Entidades Promotoras de Salud) is Colombia's contributory health system. It provides comprehensive healthcare through a network of hospitals, clinics and specialists across the country. Enrollment is funded through payroll contributions: employers pay approximately 8.5% of salary and employees contribute approximately 4%.
EPS is excellent healthcare coverage at a very affordable cost — but it is designed for people in formal employment relationships. You cannot simply "buy into" EPS as a foreigner. You must be formally employed under a Colombian labor contract or be a voluntary contributor meeting specific eligibility requirements.
What Is a Resolution 5477 Medical Assistance Plan?
A Resolution 5477-compliant medical assistance plan is a private product that covers the 7 areas mandated by Cancillería for visa applicants: accidents, illness, disability, hospitalization, maternity, repatriation and death. It is what CoVisas provides. It is not EPS — it is a private insurance product issued by a company with Colombian legal operations.
When Each Applies: A Decision Matrix
| Your Situation | What You Need at Application | After Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Applying for any visa (first time) | Private plan (Resolution 5477) | Depends on category — see below |
| Worker Visa — employed by Colombian company | Private plan at application | EPS through employer payroll becomes available (and replaces plan) |
| Service Provider — independent contractor | Private plan | May enroll in EPS as voluntary contributor or keep private plan |
| Pensioner Visa holder | Private plan | EPS enrollment PROHIBITED — must maintain private plan |
| Investor / Business Owner Visa | Private plan | EPS if taking formal salary; otherwise keep private plan |
| Spouse / Partner Visa | Private plan | EPS through employment or keep private plan |
| Digital Nomad Visa | Private plan | No employment in Colombia authorized; keep private plan |
| Student Visa | Private plan or institution coverage | Verify institution's health plan; otherwise keep private plan |
EPS vs. Private Plan: Quality and Coverage Comparison
| Factor | EPS | Private Medical Plan (Res. 5477) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~12.5% of salary (shared employer/employee) | Fixed annual premium (varies by provider) |
| Network | Very broad — nationwide hospitals and clinics | Depends on plan; emergency assistance focused |
| Disability coverage | Yes (via ARL and pension) | Yes — mandatory under Resolution 5477 |
| Maternity | Full prenatal and postnatal | Yes — mandatory under Resolution 5477 |
| Repatriation | No | Yes — mandatory under Resolution 5477 |
| Accepted by Cancillería for visa | Only if already enrolled (post-employment) | Yes — specifically required |
| Available before employment | No | Yes — available immediately |
The Practical Sequence for Worker Visa Holders
If you are applying for a Worker Visa and will begin formal employment in Colombia, the sequence is: (1) obtain a private Resolution 5477-compliant plan for the visa application, (2) begin employment and have your employer enroll you in EPS through payroll, (3) once EPS is active and covers all 7 Resolution 5477 areas, the private plan becomes redundant for day-to-day use — but you may want to maintain it for repatriation coverage that EPS does not provide.
Sources: Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022. Ley 100 de 1993 (Colombia health system). Cancillería Colombia. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
Related: Resolution 5477 Complete Guide · How to Choose a Medical Plan
🛡️ CoVisas Medical Assistance Plan — Resolution 5477 Compliant
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