Financiación Jun 9, 2026 8 min read

A mortgage in Colombia for those living abroad

Rates, requirements and real timelines for expat buyers returning to Medellín — and the mistakes that cost the most when financing from abroad.

Keys and a miniature house on a wooden table, mortgage credit in Colombia

Returning to Medellín and buying from abroad is perfectly doable — but the mortgage for non-residents has its own rules worth understanding before you fall for a property.

Rates, terms and documents change with your immigration status and where you earn your income. These are the points that cost the most when they aren't planned in time.

Rates and terms

What to expect from the bank

For buyers earning abroad, most banks finance up to 70% of the appraisal, over 10 to 20 years. The rate is usually a couple of points higher than for residents, and they'll almost always ask for local credit history or a co-signer.

The most common mistake

Not quoting insurance and the mortgage tax

The loan amount isn't the cost of the loan. Add the credit study, bank appraisal, life and fire insurance, and the mortgage tax (0.5% of the loan). All in, $6M to $12M worth quoting before you sign.

Isabella Cadavid
Sobre la autora
Isabella Cadavid

CEO and co-founder of Propiedades Luxur. She guides buyers across Medellín and eastern Antioquia on one principle: judgement before commission. She writes Lecturas so buying is an informed decision, not a surprise.

Let's talk

¿Listo para hacer la cuenta de tu compra?

Cuéntanos qué buscas. Te armamos el presupuesto real — con costos de cierre incluidos — antes de que ofertes.