How to Move to Uruguay: Full Guide (2025)

Jump to: Quick Facts · Living Essentials · Pros · Cons · Visas Guide · Residency & Citizenship · Business · Resources

Interested in moving to Uruguay? Here’s what you need to know:

🇺🇾 Uruguay at a Glance

• Political stability: One of Latin America’s most stable and least corrupt nations (second only to Chile).
• Population: Approximately 3.53 million people.
• Literacy rate: Highest in South America at 98.4%.
• Demographics: Median age about 34.9 years; life expectancy 76.2 years; 96.5% live in urban areas.
• Mate: National drink; tea-like coffee alternative, with many locals carrying personal mate mugs.

🏠 Living Essentials

• Currency: Uruguayan peso (UYU).
• Languages: Official language is Spanish with strong Italian influence; English common in business and among youth.
• Religion: No official religion; religious freedom guaranteed; ~50% Catholic Christian.
• Major cities: Montevideo, Salto, Ciudad de la Costa.

🤔 Why Choose Uruguay

• Healthcare: Excellent public system open to all residents including expats; affordable private plans; modern equipment and skilled doctors.
• Pets: No quarantine for pets entering the country.
• People: Friendly and welcoming culture.
• Education: Free, compulsory education for ages 6-14; first country to give free laptops to students; free tertiary education.
• Property: Easy to buy, sell, and rent; equal rights for foreigners; real estate market full of opportunities.
• Climate: Temperate year-round with mild seasons; most homes do not require heating or AC.
• Environment: Clean air, water, and streets; low pollution ideal for respiratory health.
• Government: Stable constitutional republic with low bureaucracy and corruption compared to the region.

⚠️ Uruguay Challenges

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

• Imports: Limited availability of non-South American imported goods, especially food.
• Cost of living: Higher prices for groceries, clothing, and electronics compared to many Latin American countries.
• Beaches: Beautiful but water temperature is cold for about 9 months yearly.
• Infrastructure: Poor road and sidewalk conditions outside the capital.
• Vehicles: High costs for both new and used cars.

🛂 Uruguay Visa Guide

Tourist Visa:

• Visitors entering Uruguay as tourists usually receive a 90-day temporary visa upon arrival at the airport or border crossing.
• You can extend this visa for an additional 90 days by visiting an immigration office and paying a fee.
• When departing by air, expect a departure tax of approximately $30 USD.
• To change from temporary to permanent residency, you must submit an application with the immigration department before exceeding 180 days in Uruguay.

Visa Types for Long-Term Stays

Rentista Visa:

• Commonly issued to foreigners relocating to Uruguay.
• No official minimum income requirement, but generally around $1,500 USD per month for single applicants is accepted.
• Allows duty-free importation of household belongings.

Work Visa:

• Requires a notarized legal work contract or letter of commitment from a Uruguayan employer outlining company details, salary, and employment terms.
• Employers typically manage the application process on behalf of the employee.

Retirement (Pensionado) Visa:

• Requires proof of stable retirement income (approximately $1,500 USD monthly).
• Allows duty-free importation of household goods and a vehicle.
• Eligible holders can apply for a Uruguayan passport.
• Requirements have become stricter recently; always verify current conditions with an immigration lawyer or Uruguayan Embassy.

Digital Nomad Visa:

• Designed for remote workers employed by foreign companies or clients outside Uruguay.
• Valid initially for six months, extendable up to one year total.
• Requires:
  – Valid passport covering entire stay period.
  – Proof of remote employment or freelance work outside Uruguay.
  – Clean criminal record from all countries lived in over six months within the past five years.
  – Affidavit confirming financial self-sufficiency (recommended minimum $2,000 USD monthly).
  – Possibly proof of vaccination as per Uruguayan health regulations.

General Requirements for All Visas:

• All foreign documents must be apostilled in your country of origin and legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate. Most documents must also be translated into Spanish.
• Proof of income must be certified by a public notary or accountant.
• After receiving your visa application number, you can apply for your “cedula” (Uruguayan ID card), granting you resident rights even while your application is pending.

🛬 Residency and Citizenship

In order to obtain residency in Uruguay, you must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Submit a letter to the government notifying them of your intent to immigrate.
2. Provide a birth certificate that has been legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate
3. Provide a marriage certificate legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate (The submission of a marriage certificate is optional, but when submitted only one spouse must provide proof of income.)
4. Provide proof of steady monthly income (such as pension stipends, dividends, rental income, or a work contract)
5. Go through a medical exam (akin to a routine check-up) by an authorized clinic in Uruguay.
6. Prove that you hold an Uruguayan address (this can be done at a local police station by bringing your passport and two witnesses that will verify where you live)

• Just as when applying for a visa, all foreign documents must be apostilled in the country of origin. Some applicants may be asked to engage in a brief interview for verification purposes. Residency applications are usually processed in 12-18 months. Once you’ve obtained your residency, there is no requirement as to how long you must remain in the country. The only way your residency will be revoked is if you are outside of the country for three consecutive years or more.
• Physical presence: to maintain residency, one must spend at least six months per year in Uruguay, unless significant economic investments are made.

Citizenship Eligibility

• Married couples with 3+ years residency can apply
• Single residents must reside 5+ years
• Time counts from first entering Uruguay, not residency approval date

💼 Business in Uruguay

• Stable government, good economic growth, strong infrastructure
• Foreigners can own 100% of a business without residency (residency can simplify administration)
• Steps to start a business:
  • Register business name availability
  • Draft/approve bylaws with National Audit Office (AIN)
  • Register with National Trade Register (RNC)
  • Publish company formation in Official Gazette and a national newspaper
  • Obtain Taxpayer Number (RUT) from Tax Administration (DGI)
  • Open corporate bank account
  • Register Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) with Central Bank for compliance
  • Register with Ministry of Work (MTSS), Social Security (BPS), and State Insurance (BSE) when hiring employees
• Common business forms: Stock Corporation (SA), Limited Liability Company (SRL), Simplified Stock Corporation (SAS), or branch of foreign firm
• No general minimum capital except regulated sectors
• Taxes can be high, but incentives exist for reinvested profits and promoted activities
• Consult experienced legal and tax advisors before launching

📚 Helpful Resources

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs – official website (in Spanish only).
• Buscojobs – Uruguay’s top job portal with thousands of local listings; check Computrabajo Uruguay for additional options

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