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

• Uruguay is well known for its stable political system and is considered to be one of the least corrupt countries in Latin America (second only to Chile).
• The country is home to about 3.53 million people.
• Uruguay has the highest literacy rate in South America, with a national average of 98.4%.
• The median age is around 34.9 years. Life expectancy 76.2 years. 96.5% of the population lives in urban areas.
• Mate – a tea-like coffee alternative – is one of the country’s most popular drinks. In fact, it is so popular that most Uruguayans have their own special “mate mugs” that they carry around with them.

Living Essentials

• Currency: Uruguayan peso (UYU).
• Spoken languages: The official language of Uruguay is Spanish, though it is unique because of a heavy Italian influence. English is commonly spoken n the business world and among the younger generation.
• Major religions: Uruguay has no official religion, and it guarantees religious freedom to all its citizens. Just under 50% of the population identifies itself as Catholic Christian.
• Largest cities: Montevideo, Salto, and Cuidad de la Costa.

Why Choose Uruguay

• Uruguay has a great public healthcare system available to all its residents (including expats living permanently in the country). There are private plans available at affordable rates for those looking to supplement the public services offered. Expats can rest assured knowing that medical equipment is modern and the doctors are well trained. To top it off, prices for treatment are very competitive (especially relative to the cost of similar care around the world).
• Furry friends are welcome in Uruguay – there is no quarantine period for pets tagging along with their owners.
• Like other Latin American countries, Uruguay is known for its friendly people.
• Education is taken very seriously here – Uruguay was the first country to provide every student with a free laptop. The system is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14.  Tertiary education is also free.
• It is easy to buy, sell, and rent property in Uruguay. Anyone can own property, and enjoys the same rights as property-owning citizens. The real estate market is still full of opportunities.
• Uruguay has a consistently temperate climate throughout the nation, with mild seasons. Most people survive without heating or air-conditioning no matter where they live.
• Clean air, clean water, and clean streets. The country has a low pollution level, and is thus appealing to expats with respiratory issues like asthma and COPD.
• The Uruguayan government is a constitutional republic, and is considered to be extremely stable and consistent. There tends to be a low level of bureaucracy and corruption within the government structure, especially when compared with other South American countries.

Uruguay Challenges

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

• Imports from countries outside of South America are few and far between, especially when it comes to food items.
• Uruguay is one of the more expensive countries in Latin America, and has a higher price tag attached to things like groceries, clothing, and electronics.
• Even though its beaches are gorgeous, the waters are cold for most of the year (about 9 months).
• With the exception of its capital, Uruguay has some of the worst roads and sidewalks.
• Vehicle costs are high (both new and used).

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: married couples that have resided in the country for at least three years and have been granted residency are able to apply for Uruguayan citizenship. Single residents must have been in Uruguay for five years before they can apply for citizenship. Unlike in other South American countries, the countdown for citizenship eligibility begins from the day you set foot in Uruguay, regardless of when your residency is approved.

Business in Uruguay

Uruguay offers a stable government, steady economic growth, and excellent commercial infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for foreign entrepreneurs.

Foreigners can own 100% of a business without requiring permanent residency, although obtaining residency may simplify administrative processes.

Steps to Start a Business in Uruguay:

1. Choose and Register Your Business Name
   Verify the availability and register your chosen business name.
2. Draft and Approve Company Bylaws
   Prepare your company’s bylaws and have them approved by the National Audit Office (Auditoría Interna de la Nación – AIN).
3. Register with the National Trade Register (RNC)
   File the approved bylaws with the Registro Nacional de Comercio.
4. Publish Company Formation Notices
   Publish the registered bylaws in Uruguay’s Official Gazette (Diario Oficial) and another national newspaper.
5. Obtain a Taxpayer Number (RUT)
   Register your business with Uruguay’s National Tax Administration Office (Dirección General Impositiva – DGI) to receive your unique taxpayer identification number.
6. Open a Corporate Bank Account
   Set up a corporate bank account in Uruguay to manage your business transactions.
7. Register Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO)
   Provide details of your company’s ultimate beneficial owners to the Central Bank of Uruguay to comply with transparency regulations.
8. Register to Hire Employees (if applicable)

If hiring staff, register with:

• Ministry of Work and Social Security (Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social – MTSS)
• Social Security Administration (Banco de Previsión Social – BPS)
• State Insurance Bank (Banco de Seguros del Estado – BSE)

Important Notes:

• Common business structures include:
  – Stock Corporation (Sociedad Anónima – SA)
  – Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada – SRL)
  – Simplified Stock Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada – SAS)
  – (alternatively) establishing a branch of a foreign corporation
• There are no general minimum capital requirements, except for certain regulated industries.
• Taxes on businesses can be relatively high; however, Uruguay offers incentives such as tax exemptions for reinvested profits or promoted activities.

Due to the complexities involved in legal compliance, taxation, and administrative procedures, it is highly recommended that prospective entrepreneurs consult experienced legal and tax advisors familiar with Uruguayan law before starting their business.

Helpful Resources

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs – official government site (in Spanish only).

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SEE ALSO:

• Brazil Immigration Guide
• Chile Immigration Guide
• Colombia Immigration Guide
• Ecuador Immigration Guide
• Argentina Immigration Guide