Updated: October 2, 2026 · By the Exotic Rent a Car Medellín team, a local car rental company in Antioquia.
Quick answer: the requirements to rent a car in Colombia as a foreigner are: a valid passport with your entry stamp, your home-country driver's license, original and valid (accepted while you've been in Colombia for less than 6 months), an International Driving Permit only if your license isn't in the Latin alphabet, being 18 or older and a refundable deposit of 2,000,000 or 2,500,000 COP, which you can leave in cash, by bank transfer or on a credit card.
Renting a car in Colombia as a foreigner is perfectly normal, and done properly the handover takes no more than 20 minutes. What seems complicated online is actually quite simple in practice. This guide compiles all the real requirements for renting a vehicle in Medellín if you're not Colombian, with no fine print and no empty promises.
Basic documents you need
- Valid passport: your primary identification document. If you already have a Colombian foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería), that works too.
- Driver's license from your country: it must be valid, the original physical card and in your name. It is valid in Colombia as long as you've been in the country for less than 6 months.
- International Driving Permit (IDP): only mandatory if your license is not written in the Latin alphabet (Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Japanese). In every other case it's optional. It must be obtained in your home country before your trip.
- International credit card in the driver's name (optional): one of the ways to cover the security deposit. We also accept the deposit in cash or by bank transfer.
- Migration stamp in your passport: the proof of how long you've been in the country; your latest entry stamp is enough.
About the license: what really matters
This is the number one question from foreigners, and the short answer is:
- Your valid national license works as long as you've been in Colombia for less than 6 months and can prove it: the latest entry stamp in your passport is enough.
- An International Driving Permit is only mandatory if your license is not written in the Latin alphabet. Licenses from the United States, Canada, Europe or Latin America work as they are.
- The license must be valid. An expired license is not accepted, without exception.
- It must be the original physical license, not a photo or screenshot.
Minimum age
At Exotic Rent a Car the minimum age is 18, with a valid driver's license. It applies to the whole fleet, with no exceptions by range or model: if you are 18 and your license is valid in Colombia, you can rent anything from a compact SUV to a 4x4.
The security deposit
The deposit is money we hold to cover minor damage during your rental. It can be left in cash, on a credit card or by bank transfer; the card is optional, never mandatory. The amount depends on the vehicle category:
- Mid-range: 2,000,000 COP.
- High-end: 2,500,000 COP.
💳 The deposit is refunded within 8 business days, after checking for traffic camera fines and speeding reports. If nothing turns up, the full amount is refunded within that period.
Refund methods:
- Bank transfer (Bancolombia/Davivienda).
- Transfers to U.S. accounts (subject to prior validation).
- Cash.
- Western Union.
- Littio or Dollar app.
(Refunds are not made to cards.)
If you want the full detail — why it's requested, what happens if a camera fine shows up and how the amount is set by vehicle category — we cover it in our guide to the security deposit for renting a car in Medellín.
Insurance and responsibility
A reputable agency will hand over the vehicle with:
- Valid SOAT (mandatory in Colombia).
- Comprehensive insurance with a clear deductible.
- 24/7 roadside assistance.
- Clear geographical coverage (in Colombia it depends on each agency).
Always ask what the deductible is. At Exotic Rent a Car Medellín we provide this information in writing before any booking, in English or Spanish.
How to book from abroad
The standard process we recommend:
- Browse the catalogue and choose the vehicle and dates. The minimum rental is 48 hours.
- Request a quote via WhatsApp or email (we reply in Spanish and English).
- Send a copy of your passport and driver's license.
- Confirm with an advance payment (bank transfer or online payment).
- On arrival day, receive the car at the airport, your hotel or our office and leave the deposit (cash, credit card or bank transfer).
If you're flying in, we explain how to pick up your car at José María Córdova Airport upon landing.
What NOT to do
- Don't rent from an agency that won't show you the deductible and coverage in writing.
- Don't drive with an expired license, even if it's only a few days out of date.
- Don't let anyone else drive the car unless they're registered as an additional driver.
- Don't sign anything in another language without having the key points translated.
- Don't use someone else's license (that ends badly at any traffic stop).
And before your first day behind the wheel, it helps to know how driving here really works: pico y placa, motorcycles weaving between lanes and which areas to avoid at night. We cover it without sugar-coating in driving in Medellín: is it safe?
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner rent a car in Colombia with their home license?
Yes, as long as the license is valid, it's the original physical card and you've been in Colombia for less than 6 months. Your latest entry stamp in the passport serves as proof.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Colombia?
Only if your license isn't written in the Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Russian, Chinese or Japanese). Licenses from the United States, Canada, Europe or Latin America are enough on their own.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car?
No. The deposit can be left in cash, by bank transfer or on a credit card, whichever you prefer.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Medellín as a foreigner?
18, with a valid driver's license. It applies to the whole fleet, regardless of the vehicle range.
Conclusion
For a foreigner, renting a car in Medellín is straightforward: passport, an original and valid license (with an IDP only if it isn't in the Latin alphabet), the deposit (cash, bank transfer or credit card, your choice) and booking a couple of days ahead. With those four things sorted, we coordinate the rest with you from the first message.
