How much does it cost to live in Ecuador?

Ecuador is one of the cheapest options. Cuenca runs $1,200–$1,800/month for a couple. Quito is slightly more. Rural areas even less.

90 days visa-free. For longer: Pensioner Visa ($1,375/month), Professional Visa, or Investor Visa ($42,750 minimum deposit).

Safety varies significantly by region. Cuenca and parts of Quito are generally safe for expats. Guayaquil and border areas require more caution.

Does Ecuador use the US dollar?

Yes. Ecuador dollarized in 2000. No currency exchange risk for Americans — prices, banking, and transactions are all in USD.

Affordable and improving. Private healthcare in Cuenca and Quito is good quality at $30–$70 per specialist visit. IESS public system is available to residents.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Yes. English is very limited outside tourist contexts. Cuenca's expat community has some English infrastructure but Spanish is essential for daily life.

Yes, no restrictions for foreigners. Cuenca's historic center and newer developments are popular. Always use a local attorney.

Ecuador taxes residents on worldwide income. Tax rates are 0-37%. The first ~$11,000 is tax-free. No US-Ecuador tax treaty, but foreign tax credits apply.

How long for citizenship?

3 years of legal residency. Ecuador allows dual citizenship. One of the fastest paths to a second passport in the Americas.

What's the weather like?

Cuenca (8,400ft elevation) is spring-like year-round: 55-70°F. Quito is similar. Coastal cities are tropical and hot. The Galápagos have their own microclimate.

Ecuador

Quito · South America · South America

Spanish

USD

Why Ecuador?

Last verified March 14, 2026 by GoMoveAbroad Research Team

Ecuador is Latin America for people who don't want chaos. It's English-friendly, incredibly affordable, stable, and diverse—Amazon jungle, Galápagos, Andes mountains, Pacific coast, all in one tiny country. You can live very well on $1,200–$1,600/month, get permanent residency quickly, and actually feel welcomed by locals. **The Numbers:** - **Pensioner Visa:** $1,350/month passive income requirement (renewed annually) - **Investor Visa:** $46,000 one-time investment (permanent residency path) - **Cost of Living:** $1,200–$2,000/month depending on lifestyle - **English Speakers:** ~25–30% (higher in Quito, coastal towns; limited in rural areas) - **Safety Ranking:** #52 globally (safest in

Where to Live in Ecuador

### Quito (The Capital, The Mountain City) **Best For:** Culture, amenities, healthcare, expat community, altitude lovers **Vibe:** Colonial, cosmopolitan, mountain setting, cool weather **Population:** 1.6M (city); 2.4M (metro) **Average Rent (1BR):** $600–$1,000 depending on neighborhood **Climate:** Cool year-round (55–70°F); rainy in afternoons #### Historic Center (Centro Histórico) - **Vibe:** Colonial, touristy, cultural, walkable - **Average Rent:** $700–$1,000 - **Why:** UNESCO World Heritage site, beautiful plazas, museums, markets - **Downsides:** Very touristy, crowded, street crime in certain blocks #### La Mariscal - **Vibe:** Bohemian, artsy, young, backpacker hub -

City-by-city breakdown

Visas & Residency Paths

### Pensioner Visa (Jubilado Visa) **Requirements:** - Proof of $1,350/month passive income (roughly $16,200/year) - 6 months of consistent bank statements - Valid passport, clean background check - No requirement for health insurance **Valid sources:** - Social Security ✅ (yes, single qualifying income source) - Pension (any type) ✅ - Rental income ✅ - Investment returns ✅ - Annuity ✅ **Timeline:** 30–60 days to approval **Duration:** 1 year (renewable annually forever) **Cost:** ~$300–500 with lawyer **Residency path:** - 2–3 years on Pensioner visa → apply for permanent residency - Permanent residency → live indefinitely; no citizenship required **Real talk:** This is genuinely acc

The Honest Assessment

### Green Lights (Ecuador is Great If...) ✅ You have $1,350/month passive income (Pensioner pathway) ✅ You want exceptional value and cost of living ✅ You enjoy warm climate or cool mountains (choose your region) ✅ You're willing to learn Spanish ✅ You want excellent healthcare at low cost ✅ You appreciate indigenous culture and biodiversity ✅ You value stability + safety over urban excitement ✅ You want to try Latin America without high risk

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Overview

Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa

Temporary residence visa for remote workers earning at least 3x Ecuador's basic unified salary (SBU). For 2026: ~$1,446/month. Valid 2 years, renewable. Ecuador uses USD as its currency, so no exchange rate risk. Threshold adjusts annually with SBU increases.

Income Req: $1,446/mo(3x SBU (Salario Básico Unificado))

Threshold adjusts annually — verify current amounts with official sources

Processing: 1-2 months

Validity: 2 years, renewable

Path to Citizenship (3 yrs)

Ecuador Investor Visa

Temporary residence visa for investors. Requires investment of at least $48,200 (100x SBU, adjusted annually) in real estate, business, or bank deposit. One of the lowest investment thresholds in the Americas. Valid 2 years, renewable. Ecuador uses USD — no currency risk. Path to citizenship in just 3 years.

Min. Investment: $42,000 USD

Threshold adjusts annually — verify current amounts with official sources

Processing: 1-3 months

Validity: 2 years, renewable

Path to Citizenship (3 yrs)

Work Permit Included

Ecuador Pensioner Visa

Retirement visa requiring proof of pension or retirement income of at least $1,446/month (3x SBU of $482). Access to affordable healthcare and USD-based economy.

Income Req: $1,446/mo(3x SBU)

Threshold adjusts annually — verify current amounts with official sources

Processing: 1-2 months

Validity: 2 years, renewable

Path to Citizenship (3 yrs)

Citizenship Pathways

Ecuador Citizenship by Naturalization

Ecuador offers one of the fastest citizenship paths in the Americas: 3 years of continuous permanent residency (must not be outside Ecuador for more than 90 days per year). Requires Spanish language proficiency, knowledge of Ecuadorian history/geography/culture, and legal income. Marriage to an Ecuadorian reduces the requirement to 2 years. Dual citizenship fully allowed.

Residency Req: 36 months

Processing: 18-24 months in practice

Benefits:

Fast 3-year path
Dual citizenship allowed
USD-based economy
Low cost of living
No military service
Full property rights for foreigners

Dual Citizenship Allowed

Language: Spanish proficiency (speaking and writing)

Tax Information

Income Tax

37%

Top marginal rate

Corporate Tax

25%

Capital Gains

37%

Capital gains taxed as ordinary income (up to 37%). Long-term stock market gains may be exempt. Occasional real estate sales exempt; frequent sales taxed as income.

Tax System

Worldwide

Trip Itineraries

Ecuador — Test the Waters

Test the Waters

5 days

A 5-day mid-range itinerary to explore Ecuador as a potential new home.

Estimated Cost: $500

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Important Disclaimer

The information on this page about Ecuador is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Tax rates, visa requirements, and immigration policies change frequently. Always consult with qualified professionals (immigration attorneys, tax advisors) before making relocation decisions. GoMoveAbroad makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of this information.

Ecuador