Colombia vs Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: Which Is Right for You?

The short version

Colombia has the lower entry bar: €1,130 per month versus €2,760 for Costa Rica.
Colombia grants a longer initial stay (24 months vs 12).
Tax treatment differs: Colombia — territorial taxation; Costa Rica — foreign income exempt. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.

Side-by-side comparison of the Colombia V-Nomad and the Costa Rica DNV.
Criteria	Colombia V-Nomad	Costa Rica DNV
Minimum income / month	€1,130 (better)	€2,760
Income basis	Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)	Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration	2 years (better)	1 year
Renewable	No	Yes (better)
Maximum total stay	2 years	2 years
Path to permanent residence	No	No
Path to citizenship	No	No
Family inclusion	Yes	Yes
Working for local clients	Not allowed	Not allowed
Tax treatment	Territorial taxation	Foreign income exempt (Ley 10008 incentivos fiscales)
Health insurance	Required (explicit)	Required (explicit), min. €46,000
Insurance duration required	Full visa period	Full visa period
Application fee	≈ €213	≈ €92 (better)
Where to apply	Online, Embassy / consulate	Online, Embassy / consulate
Processing time	—	2–3 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Colombia V-Nomad →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Costa Rica DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Don't forget insurance

Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.