How do I get a RUT (Colombian tax ID) as an individual?

Who needs it

Anyone who will invoice or work as a freelancer, must file income tax, open certain financial products or has tax obligations in Colombia, including resident or non-resident foreigners with income or assets in the country.

What you need

• ✓Valid ID: cédula de ciudadanía, cédula de extranjería, passport or a valid Temporary Protection Permit (PPT).
• ✓A real email address and phone number: DIAN sends your RUT and notices there.
• ✓Your home address in Colombia (or abroad if you don't live in the country).
• ✓Your economic activity code (CIIU) and the tax responsibilities that apply to you.
• ✓If someone acts on your behalf, the power of attorney and that person's ID.

Step by step

1. 1With a Colombian cédula: use the online RUT registration on dian.gov.co, your data is validated against the Registraduría, and download the PDF.
2. 2Foreigner: on dian.gov.co (Transaccional > RUT) choose 'Inscripción RUT', type 'Persona natural', and fill in form 001 as a pre-RUT.
3. 3In box 25 pick your document type (cédula de extranjería, passport or PPT, code 48) and complete names, address, activity and responsibilities.
4. 4Submit the form and keep the pre-RUT form number.
5. 5Book an appointment on DIAN's Agendamiento de Citas portal and bring your original ID to the service point in your city.
6. 6DIAN finalizes the registration and gives or emails you form 001 with your NIT. Then activate your user account on the portal.

Tips and common mistakes

• DIAN procedures are free: don't pay intermediaries to 'get your RUT'.
• If your PPT has expired, DIAN registers you with your passport instead. Check the expiry date before your appointment.
• If you'll be a merchant (commercial registry), the RUT is processed through the Chamber of Commerce, not the online registration.
• Once you get your cédula de extranjería, update your RUT to replace the passport with the new ID.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner get the RUT online?

Only partly. The fully online registration is for people with a Colombian cédula de ciudadanía. Foreigners do the pre-RUT online and finalize at a DIAN office.

How much does the RUT cost?

Nothing. DIAN doesn't charge for RUT registration, copies or updates.

Does the RUT expire?

No. It is valid indefinitely; you only update it when your details change, such as address, activity or ID document.

How do I download a copy of my RUT?

Log in to DIAN's transactional portal (MUISCA) and use the 'Obtener copia RUT' option.

Official sources

Checked on October 1, 2026. Fees and requirements can change; the official site always wins.

• DIAN — RUT (trámites y servicios) ↗
• DIAN — Abecé inscripción en línea RUT ↗
• DIAN — Paso a paso inscripción del Pre-RUT para personas naturales ↗
• DIAN — Instructivo de calidad del RUT IN-CAC-0237 (código 48 PPT) ↗

Go deeper

• 🧮 Income tax filing date 2026
• 📖 Cómo Sacar tu RUT en la DIAN Paso a Paso (Persona Natural)
• 📖 Inscripción Virtual al RUT por Primera Vez en la DIAN para Personas Naturales
• 📖 How to Register for a RUT with DIAN as a Foreign Resident in Colombia
• 📖 Cómo Actualizar los Datos de Ubicación y Contacto en el RUT de la DIAN en Línea

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