🇪🇨 Ecuador
Dollarized, low-cost Andean and coastal living with some of the region's lowest visa income thresholds
Visa Options
- Pensionado (Retiree) Visa (2 years → permanent) — $1,446/mo lifetime pension (3x SBU 2026; +$250/mo per dependent)
- Rentista (Passive Income) Visa (2 years → permanent) — $1,446/mo passive foreign income, no lifetime guarantee needed
- Digital Nomad Visa (2 years) — $1,446/mo remote foreign-employer income
- Inversionista (Investor) Visa (2 years → permanent) — $48,200 minimum investment plus $482/mo income
Tax Overview
- Income Tax: 0% – 37% progressive (worldwide income for tax residents)
- Tax residency trigger: 183+ days in Ecuador in a 12-month period
- New-resident break: New residents may be taxed only on Ecuador-source income for their first 5 years under a newer framework
- Foreign pensions: Generally not taxed in practice when received by foreign residents
- VAT (IVA): 15%
Cost of Living
- Comfortable living (single, typical): $900 – $1,500/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Cuenca): $350 – $600/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Quito): $400 – $700/mo
- Groceries: $180 – $300/mo
- Utilities: $40 – $80/mo
- Dining out: $5 – $14/meal
- Public transport: $15 – $25/mo
- Private health insurance: $60 – $130/mo
Relocation Checklist
- Confirm current SBU-linked income threshold ($482 x multiplier changes yearly)
- Apostille documents (birth cert, police record, pension/income letters)
- Apply online via Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) visa portal
- Enter Ecuador and register for your cédula (ID card) within 30 days
- Open a local bank account
- Register with IESS (public health/social security) if applicable
- Track days in-country for tax residency (183-day rule)
- Renew temporary residency status before converting to permanent