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Located on South America’s west coast, Ecuador is the perfect tropical paradise for expats who want to live among beautiful mountain views and picturesque scenery. Ecuador is a popular destination for expats around the world who move there for different reasons such as to grow professionally, live, study, or spend their retirement days.
This article will guide you on how you can and why should move to Ecuador to live there permanently.
Do I Need to Obtain a Visa to Move to Ecuador?
Anyone who wants to move to Ecuador for a period longer than three months (90 days) will need to obtain a long-stay visa. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your travel to Ecuador.
Former Ecuadorian citizens do not need a visa to move back to Ecuador.
How Can I Move to Ecuador?
If you want to move to Ecuador for the long term, you will need to apply for a temporary resident visa. This type of visa is issued to foreigners who wish to move to Ecuador to live, study, work, or retire.
Moving to Ecuador to Work
If you have a job offer or employment contract with an employer in Ecuador, you need to get an Ecuador work visa. With a work visa, you can stay in Ecuador for up to two years and renew the visa once it expires.
In case you want to work as a remote worker, you can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa, also known as a rentista visa. This type of visa is valid for two years and entitles you to many great benefits.
Moving to Ecuador to Study
Anyone who is enrolled in a university or other academic program in Ecuador needs a student visa to enter the country and pursue their studies in Ecuador.
Once you have a registration or admission certificate from a recognized education institution in Ecuador, you can continue to apply for a student visa.
Moving to Ecuador to Retire
Foreigners with the right financial means who want to retire in Ecuador must apply for a Jubilado Visa (Retirement Visa).
However, before applying for a retirement visa, you need to check if you meet the eligibility criteria for a Jubilado Visa.
This type of visa allows you to bring your spouse and children with you to Ecuador and is issued for a validity period of two years. After two years, you can apply for permanent residence.
Why Should I Move to Ecuador?
Here are some of the pros and cons of moving to Ecuador:
| Pros | Cons |
| Healthcare— Ecuador has a universal healthcare system and offers good health services to all residents. The healthcare system is ranked high among the most efficient healthcare system in the world. | Underdeveloped infrastructure— the infrastructure is in good condition in the major cities of Ecuador. However, if you move outside these cities, you will be faced with underdeveloped infrastructure. |
| Living costs— living costs in Ecuador are cheaper than in most countries. Cities like Cuenca and Loja have lower living costs than most major cities in the region. | Natural disasters— Ecuador is located in an area that has active seismic activity. This means there is a high risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. |
| Housing— when compared to many other countries, you will realize that the housing market in Ecuador is cheaper. Whether you want to purchase or rent property, prices will be much lower than what you are used to. | Stray dogs— unless you are a dog lover, you will not mind finding stray dogs in every corner of Ecuador. Ecuador has a big number of stray dogs, and although they can be very friendly toward people, you should be careful. |
| Climate— one of the best things about living in Ecuador would be the warm and sunny weather all year long. Ecuador has a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 26°C in summer to 23°C in winter. | Language barrier— the official language of Ecuador is Spanish, and very few Ecuadorians speak another language or English. Therefore to get around and make friends, you will need to learn Spanish. |
| Cuisine— Ecuador has a diverse cuisine with many great dishes. With a flourishing food scene, you will be able to try and taste many new and delicious flavors. You can find diverse traditional dishes such as soup, main dishes, and desserts. | Limited movement— Ecuadorian passport holders can only travel visa-free to 57 countries. Therefore, you will need to obtain a visa if you want to travel to any other country besides the one with a visa-free agreement with Ecuador. |
| People— the community in Ecuador is very welcoming and is interested in meeting people from other countries. Ecuadorians are known to be warm and polite. Although Ecuadorian culture might be different from what you are used to, locals will make you feel part of the community. |
How Can I Become a Permanent Resident of Ecuador?
Foreigners who want to become permanent residents of Ecuador must have lived in the country for at least 21 months under a temporary resident visa.
A temporary resident visa is issued for a validity period of 24 months and can be extended if you continue to meet the requirements.
Does Ecuador Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes, Ecuador allows dual citizenship. Ecuador introduced dual nationality in the Constitution of 1995, and since 2008 the constitution states that “nationality is a political and legal bond between individuals and the State, without detriment to their belonging to any of the other indigenous nations that coexist in plurinational Ecuador.”
This means that you can become a legal citizen of Ecuador while still maintaining citizenship in another country or country of origin.
How Long Do I Need to Live in Ecuador to Win Citizenship?
To win Ecuadorian citizenship, you must reside in the country as a permanent resident for at least 3 years. This comes to a total of 5 years of residence, including a temporary residence for 2 years.
The permanent residence period is shortened to 2 years if you are married to an Ecuadorian citizen or have children with an Ecuadorian citizen.
Can I Bring My Personal Belongings to Ecuador?
Yes, you can bring your personal belongings to Ecuador, however, you must complete your import taxes and duties.
You can be exempt from import taxes if you apply for an exemption certificate for customs tariffs. To do that, you need to submit a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the document. This will allow you to bring up to 200 kg of clothing, shoes, and personal accessories. Anything over 200 kilos will incur import taxes and duties. If you import new objects, you will be subject to import taxes and duties.
You can import:
- Clothing.
- Shoes.
- Accessories.
- Household items.
- Electrical items.
- Art.
- Antiques.
- Religious materials.
- Other.
The following items are prohibited from entering Ecuador:
- Narcotics.
- Alcohol, cigarettes.
- Explosives and weapons.
- Software.
- Psychotropic medicines, etc.
Can I Move to Ecuador With Pets?
If you want to bring your pets with you to Ecuador, your pets must meet the following requirements:
- Your pet must have an ISO pet microchip.
- Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies 21 days to 12 months before entering the Ecuadorian territory.
- For pets (dogs and cats) from countries in Africa, Asia, the EU, and Oceania, you must present the test results of a rabies titer test.
- You must have an import permit. Not required for pets entering Ecuador by land or in the cabin of an aircraft.
- You must treat your pets for ticks and tapeworms within 21 days of entering the territory of Ecuador.
It is recommended to inform the Ecuadorian Agency of Quality Assurance in Agriculture 73 hours prior to your arrival in Ecuador so that there is a veterinarian available.
Most Popular Areas in Ecuador for Expats
Here are some of the most popular places for expats to move to in Ecuador:
- Cuenca.
- Quito.
- Intag Valley.
- Montanita
- Galapagos Islands.
Cuenca
With low costs of living, friendly locals, and beautiful mountain scenery, Cuenca has become one of the most popular destinations for expats in Ecuador, especially for retirees. Cuenca is known for its textile-making and other crafts by local artisans. You will be speechless by all the incredible and picturesque views around the town.
The town is characterized by a pleasant climate that dominates throughout the year, so you can enjoy most of your day doing outdoor activities.
Quito
If colorful buildings and history are something you are interested in, then you must move to the largest historical center in South America. Quito is also known as one of the most scenic cities in Ecuador, so you can expect to see many tourists from all over the world. The city is one of the very first UNESCO World Heritage cities in the world, and that has played a crucial role in making Quito a tourist destination.
In Quito, you will taste some of the most delicious dishes with a variety of flavors and the best chocolate in Ecuador.
Intag Valley
Intag Valley is the perfect place for nature lovers that want to spend their life surrounded by breathtaking nature. Although living costs are higher than in most areas of Ecuador, it is definitely worth it. Intag Valley is known as a famous area for coffee and tourism and the rich flora and fauna.
The area is one of the most popular tourist destinations due to its biodiversity and scenic beauty. So you will meet new people constantly. There are also many outdoor activities that you can do during the day or night.
Montanita
Known for its nightlife and delicious cuisine, Montanita is also considered one of the best beaches on the south coast. The town is packed with tourists who want to spend weeks or even months on the beautiful beach, surfing and partying every day. Montanita is the perfect place for young people that like to live life to the fullest.
The area is also a surfing paradise, so anyone who is passionate about surfing or wants to learn how to surf must give Montanita a try.
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands are heaven on earth, and if you want to live among wildlife, then you must definitely move here. The archipelago has active volcanoes and four inhabited islands.
Galapagos Islands are perfect whether you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place or a place where there are many things to explore. With a tropical climate and a water temperature of around 25.5°C on average, you can spend the rest of your days sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing every day. In Galapagos Islands, you will find one of the most unique landscapes on earth and species such as the Giant Tortoise, Darwin Finch, and Galápagos Fur Seal.
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