Government & Regulatory Affairs in Colombia

Essentials guide · Source-checked research61% of statements checked against a source9 checked against an official source26 checked against a secondary sourceChecked 2026-10-196 held back until checked against an official source10 topics include AI-written statements, not source-checkedNot yet professionally reviewed

• Foreign investors receive the same treatment as nationals, and foreign investment is barred only in national defence and security activities and in handling hazardous waste generated outside Colombia.

  Regulated sectors such as financial services may need prior authorisation but are not generally closed to foreign investment.Asuntos Legales (article by María Alejandra Medina Pulido, Posse Herrera Ruiz) · checked 2026-10-19

• The Superintendencia de Sociedades supervises companies, can audit foreign investment records and impose sanctions, and receives financial statements from companies under its permanent supervision.

  Companies meeting supervision criteria.Chambers and Partners (Baker McKenzie S.A.S.) · checked 2026-10-19

• Qualifying free trade zone companies pay a reduced corporate income tax rate of 20%; for qualifying offshore, onshore and logistics free trade zone companies the rate applies directly, while for other qualified companies it depends on an export-oriented plan approved by the government.

  Users of declared free trade zones. Chambers Doing Business In 2026 states that industrial users pay 20%.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries · checked 2026-10-19

• Public procurement is conducted through the SECOP electronic platform managed by Colombia Compra Eficiente.

  Public entities subject to the procurement statute.AI-written, not source-checked

• Foreigners can generally acquire real estate in Colombia on the same terms as nationals.

  Foreign investment in real estate should be registered with the central bank.AI-written, not source-checked

• Food, medicines, medical devices and cosmetics require sanitary registration or notification with INVIMA before sale.

  Regulated health products.AI-written, not source-checked

• Transactions that change control of undertakings active in the same market or value chain in Colombia, where the parties' Colombian revenues or total worldwide assets exceed the threshold set yearly by the SIC, need SIC authorisation before closing.

  The 2026 threshold is COP 85.6 billion (about USD 22.8 million). Whether it applies to each party or combined is not stated by the source.Chambers and Partners (Baker McKenzie S.A.S.) · checked 2026-10-19

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