Colombia citizenship test: requirements and civics quiz
Colombia has no published official citizenship test question list. This page explains what naturalisation requires, links to the official source, and offers a free 15-question general civics quiz for learning. The quiz is not an official exam.
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Is there an official Colombia citizenship test? We have not found a published official question list. Naturalisation requirements are summarised below with a link to the official source. The quiz on this page is a general civics quiz for learning and is not linked to any official process.
Does Colombia have a citizenship test? How naturalisation works
Last reviewed: October 15, 2026 · Checked against the official source linked on this page.
Foreign nationals become Colombian through nationality by adoption, granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The usual requirement is five years of continuous residence, reduced to two years for spouses or permanent partners of Colombians, parents of Colombian children and Spanish nationals. Colombia has an official knowledge exam: applicants must show knowledge of the Constitution, national history, geography and culture, and Spanish is tested if it is not their native language. In the November 2025 sitting the exam had 80 questions (90 with the Spanish module), with a minimum score needed in every module.
This set is a civics practice quiz, not the official exam. It covers the 1991 Constitution, key events from 1810 onwards, and Colombia’s regions, culture and symbols. The format of the official exam has changed over time, so use the Ministry’s study guide, Colombia, nuestra casa, and confirm current rules with the Cancillería.
| Official citizenship test | No. Colombia has no published citizenship knowledge test. Naturalisation requirements still apply; see below and the official source. |
|---|---|
| How naturalisation works | Applicants for nationality by adoption sit written knowledge exams set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Constitution, history, geography and culture, plus Spanish if it is not their native language. |
| Language requirement | Spanish is tested if it is not the applicant's native language |
| Who it applies to | Foreign residents applying for Colombian nationality by adoption through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
| Exemptions | Recent Foreign Ministry rules have exempted applicants over 65 and those who completed secondary or higher education in Colombia from the exams. |
Topics in the general civics quiz
- Government and lawThe 1991 Constitution, Colombia as a social state under the rule of law, the Congress and the departments.5 questions
- HistoryThe Cry of Independence of 1810, Simón Bolívar, the Battle of Boyacá and the separation of Panama.5 questions
- Geography, culture and symbolsTwo coastlines, the Andes and the Magdalena River, the coffee region, Cartagena and the national flag.5 questions
Sample questions
Answer: Bogotá. Bogotá, officially Bogotá, Distrito Capital, is the capital and largest city of Colombia.
Answer: The Cry of Independence in Bogotá. On 20 July 1810 an uprising in Santa Fe de Bogotá led to a local junta, and the date is celebrated as Independence Day.
Answer: Yellow, blue and red. The flag has horizontal stripes of yellow, blue and red, with the yellow stripe taking up the top half.
How to prepare
Study the Ministry's official guide, Colombia, nuestra casa, which covers the areas tested.
Make sure you can score well in every module, because recent exams required a minimum in each one.
Read the first articles of the 1991 Constitution on fundamental principles and rights.
Learn the regions, departments and main rivers on a blank map of Colombia.
Colombia citizenship FAQ
Does Colombia have a citizenship test?
Yes. Most applicants for nationality by adoption sit written exams on the Constitution, history, geography and culture of Colombia, plus Spanish if it is not their native language.
What does the exam look like in Colombia?
In the November 2025 sitting there were 80 questions, or 90 with the Spanish module, and you had to reach a minimum score in each module. The format has changed over time, so check the latest instructions from the Cancillería.
Can I retake the exam if I fail in Colombia?
Yes. The Cancillería says applicants can take the exam twice.
How long must I live in Colombia before applying?
Five years of continuous residence is the general rule. It drops to two years for spouses or permanent partners of Colombians, parents of Colombian children and Spanish nationals.