Can foreigners get a mortgage in Colombia?
By the Grupo Brik team · Last reviewed
Pending expert review
This guide was drafted from the official sources listed at the end and checked against them on 30 September 2026. It has not yet been reviewed by a Colombian lawyer or accountant, so treat it as general information, not legal or tax advice.
The short answer
Colombian housing-finance rules set no nationality or residency condition, so a foreigner can apply, but each bank decides whom it lends to. For a home that is not social-interest housing (VIS), the loan can cover at most 70% of the value and the first installment can be at most 30% of family income. Many foreign buyers pay cash or finance at home, so ask banks for their requirements for non-residents in writing before you sign a promise to buy.
The legal limits on a Colombian home loan
Ley 546 de 1999 sets the framework for long-term housing loans and leaves the exact limits to the Government. The limits in force are in Decreto 1077 de 2015, article 2.1.11.1, as introduced by Decreto 257 de 2021, which replaced the old Decreto 145 de 2000.[1],[2],[3]
| Limit | Non-VIS housing | VIS (social-interest) housing |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum loan as a share of the property value | 70% | 80% |
| Maximum first installment as a share of family income | 30% | 40% |
| Property value used | Purchase price or an appraisal from the last 6 months | Purchase price or an appraisal from the last 6 months |
| Insurance | Fire and earthquake cover is mandatory | Fire and earthquake cover is mandatory |
VIS is a legally capped price category for social-interest housing; homes above that cap fall under the non-VIS column. For a non-VIS home, plan to bring at least 30% of the price plus closing costs in cash.[3]
The law requires a minimum term of 5 years and says the maximum term the Government sets may not be shorter than 30 years. Borrowers may prepay all or part of the loan at any time without a penalty.[1]
What the rules say about foreign borrowers
Neither Ley 546 de 1999 nor Decreto 1077 de 2015 sets a nationality or residency condition: the limits apply to loans granted to individuals. That means there is no legal ban on lending to foreigners, but also no right to a loan. Each bank sets its own requirements for non-residents, such as proof of income, a local account or a residence visa.[1],[3]
We do not quote bank-specific rates or requirements here because they change often and are not published in one official place. Ask two or three banks for their conditions for your case in writing.
Where to check current mortgage rates
The Superintendencia Financiera publishes the effective annual rates Colombian lenders report for each type of loan, including home purchase and leasing habitacional, as open data. Use it to check whether a bank's offer is in line with the market.[4]
Leasing habitacional: the main alternative
With leasing habitacional the bank buys the home and you pay to use it for an agreed term; at the end you either return it or buy it by exercising a purchase option. The 30% income cap and the insurance rule for home loans also apply to leasing habitacional for a family home.[5],[3]
Financing from abroad
If you finance the purchase with money from outside Colombia, a non-resident buying Colombian property is making a foreign investment, which must be registered with Banco de la República. Loans are not foreign investment, so a loan cannot be declared as one. See how to buy property in Colombia as a foreigner for the registration steps.[6]
Next steps
- Compare prices by neighborhood in the Índice Brik to size the loan you need.
- Add the closing costs and taxes to the cash you must bring.
- Browse apartments for sale once you know your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner get a mortgage in Colombia?
The housing-finance rules set no nationality or residency condition, so there is no legal ban, but each bank decides whether and on what terms it lends to a foreigner or non-resident.[1],[3]
How much can a Colombian bank lend on a home?
At most 70% of the property value for non-VIS housing and 80% for VIS housing, with a first installment of at most 30% (non-VIS) or 40% (VIS) of family income.[3]
Can I pay off a Colombian mortgage early?
Yes. Ley 546 de 1999 lets borrowers prepay all or part of a housing loan at any time without a penalty.[1]
Sources
- Ley 546 de 1999, artículo 17. Función Pública, Gestor Normativo. https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=180. Accessed .
- Decreto 257 de 2021. Función Pública, Gestor Normativo. https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=159947. Accessed .
- Decreto 1077 de 2015, artículo 2.1.11.1. Función Pública, Gestor Normativo. https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=77216. Accessed .
- Tasas de interés activas por tipo de crédito. Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia, datos.gov.co. https://www.datos.gov.co/Econom-a-y-Finanzas/Tasas-de-inter-s-activas-por-tipo-de-cr-dito-ltimo/qzsc-9esp. Accessed .
- Preguntas frecuentes: leasing habitacional. Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia. https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co/preguntas-frecuentes/21/21-leasing-habitacional/. Accessed .
- Decreto 119 de 2017 (régimen de inversiones internacionales). Función Pública, Gestor Normativo. https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=187748. Accessed .