Legal for Foreigners: Lawyers for Foreign Investors in Colombia

Legal advice in Colombia for foreigners, investors and companies from the United States and Europe. Bilingual Lawyers: meetings, contracts and communications in English and Spanish, with procedures you can manage from abroad.

COP 250,000

Consultation fee
Colombian pesos.

Services for foreigners and investors

Joint Ventures

Structuring alliances with Colombian partners: companies, consortia, temporary unions, participation accounts and shareholder agreements, with clear rules on governance, contributions, exit and dispute resolution.

Real Estate Lawyers

Buying, selling and investing in Colombian real estate: title study, preliminary sale agreement, deed, registration, taxes and transaction costs, and representation by power of attorney when you are abroad.

Company Incorporation

Incorporation of companies (SAS) and branches of foreign companies, commercial registry, tax ID (RUT), bank account opening and registration of the foreign investment with the Central Bank (Banco de la República).

Analysis of Legal, Accounting and Financial Documents

Review of contracts, financial statements, accounting information and corporate documents (due diligence) to identify risks before investing, acquiring a business or signing an agreement in Colombia.

Know-How Protection

Protection of your knowledge, processes and trade secrets through confidentiality agreements, non-compete clauses within legal limits and license agreements, under Colombian and Andean Community law.

Drafting of Legal Documents

Drafting of contracts, powers of attorney, minutes, bylaws and legal communications in English and Spanish, ready to take effect in Colombia, including apostille and official translation.

Immigration Law

Advice on visas and residence in Colombia before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Migración Colombia: investors, workers, digital nomads and family of nationals, and processing of the foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería).

Real Estate Trust

Real estate trusts (fiducia inmobiliaria) and autonomous estates to acquire, manage, develop or protect property in Colombia, with analysis of advantages, costs and tax effects compared with direct ownership.

Taxes

Tax residency, income and wealth tax for non-residents, withholdings, double taxation treaties and DIAN compliance for foreign investors and companies operating in Colombia.

Your investment in Colombia, step by step

Structure
We define the most suitable legal vehicle: company, branch, joint venture or direct ownership.
Incorporation and registration
We incorporate the entity, obtain the tax ID (RUT) and bank account, and register the foreign investment.
Compliance
We cover tax, accounting, labor and foreign exchange obligations from day one.
Operation
We support you with contracts, staff, intellectual property and disputes.

Remote service, valid in Colombia

If you are in the United States or Europe, you can meet us by video call and act through power of attorney, electronic signature and apostilled documents. We schedule around your time zone and handle official translations and procedures before notaries, registries and authorities.

Bilingual Lawyers: meetings, contracts and communications in English and Spanish.

Common situations we handle for international clients

Buying property or investing from abroad

Title study, preliminary agreements, closing by power of attorney and registration of the foreign investment so you can repatriate funds later.

Opening a business in Colombia

Choosing between an SAS and a branch, drafting bylaws, tax registration (RUT), support with bank account opening and ongoing compliance.

Joint ventures with a Colombian partner

Term sheets, shareholder agreements, governance, exit clauses and risk allocation, drafted in English and Spanish.

Moving to Colombia or hiring foreign staff

Visa category assessment and application support, plus employment contracts that comply with Colombian labor law.

Protecting your know-how and brand

Confidentiality and non-compete agreements, trademark registration and licensing before you share your business with partners or employees.

Tax questions as a resident or non-resident

Tax residency, taxation of rental income and gains, and withholding on payments to and from abroad.

What to prepare for your first consultation

Passport or company registration documents.
A short description of your goal and timeline.
Draft agreements, offers or term sheets you have received.
Property details, listing or title documents if you are buying real estate.
Your country of tax residence and the main sources of your income.
Your preferred time zone and channel: video call, phone or WhatsApp.

Official documents issued abroad generally need an apostille and an official translation into Spanish to be valid before Colombian authorities. We tell you in advance which ones your matter requires, so you do not lose time.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner buy real estate in Colombia?

Yes. In general, foreigners enjoy the same civil rights as Colombians to acquire property, with limited exceptions such as certain border areas. We recommend a title study and, when funds come from abroad, registering the investment with the Central Bank (Banco de la República).

How long does it take to incorporate a company in Colombia?

Timing depends on documents, apostilles and bank onboarding. At the first meeting we give you a realistic schedule for your case.

Do I need to be in Colombia to sign?

Not necessarily. Many procedures can be completed through power of attorney, electronic signature or apostilled documents. We will tell you what can be done remotely in your case.

Do documents issued abroad need an apostille?

Generally, foreign public documents need an apostille and an official Spanish translation to take effect in Colombia. We coordinate both.

Do I need to be in Colombia to hire you or to close a deal?

No. We meet by video call and, where the law requires your signature, a power of attorney granted abroad and apostilled, with an official translation if needed, allows us to act for you in Colombia.

Which documents from abroad need an apostille?

Public documents issued in another country, such as corporate certificates, powers of attorney notarized abroad and civil registry records, usually need an apostille (or legalization) and an official Spanish translation to be used before Colombian authorities. We confirm what applies to your case.

What is my tax status in Colombia?

In general, a person who stays in Colombia for more than 183 days within any period of 365 consecutive days is treated as a tax resident, which changes how income is taxed. We review your dates and sources of income to tell you where you stand.

Are your fees quoted in dollars?

The consultation fee is COP 250,000 and is billed in Colombian pesos. The dollar amount shown on this site is a daily indicative reference. Fees for ongoing matters are quoted in writing after the first consultation.

Request your consultation

Tell us about your matter and we will reply to schedule your appointment.