Moving to Ecuador: A Step-by-Step Guide for Expats
Guides · Ecuador
The stakes: Relocating to Ecuador involves a clear sequence of steps, from obtaining a temporary residency visa to getting your cédula and opening a bank account. Missing a step can delay your entire move.
The facts: As of 2026, the basic unified salary (SBU) is USD 482 per month, and many visa thresholds are based on this figure. For example, the investor visa requires an investment of 100 times the SBU, or USD 48,200.
The context: Ecuador is fully dollarised, so all amounts are in US dollars. Since October 2025, visa applications must be filed online through the eVISAS system, and criminal background checks are mandatory.
Temporary Residency Visas: Types and Requirements
Ecuador offers several temporary residency visas, including investor, professional, rentista, and digital nomad visas. Each has specific income or investment thresholds, often tied to the basic unified salary (SBU), which is USD 482 per month in 2026, according to LuckyNomads in May 2026.
For the investor visa, you must invest at least 100 times the SBU, which equals USD 48,200 in 2026, as reported by LuckyNomads. Qualifying investments include a fixed-term deposit of at least 730 days, real estate registered in the cantonal property registry, or shares in an Ecuadorian company registered with the Superintendencia de Compañías.
The professional visa requires a degree at ISCED Level 5 or higher, apostilled or legalized, and registered with SENESCYT within three months of visa issuance, according to Nomadaze in July 2026. You must also show bank statements proving income of at least 1 SBU (USD 482 per month) for the preceding three months, unless your professional title serves as proof.
The rentista visa requires proof of recurring lawful income, such as rental contracts or investment titles, supported by bank statements, as summarized by VisaAtlas in July 2026. The digital nomad visa requires foreign-source income of at least three times the SBU per month (USD 1,446 in 2026) for the three months before applying, or an annual amount of USD 17,352, according to Genki Guide in July 2026.
For all temporary visas, you must provide a valid passport, proof of the condition justifying the visa, lawful means of subsistence, a criminal background certificate, and migrant registration, as outlined by Extra.ec in July 2026. Since October 2025, a criminal background certificate from your country of origin or residence in the past five years is expressly required, and it must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish, according to Nomadaze.
Migrant registration (registro migratorio) is also legally required for visa issuance and renewal, as noted by Nomadaze. All visa applications must be filed online through the eVISAS system, which replaced in-person submissions as of November 2025, according to Transport.com.ec.
The Cédula: Your National ID Card
After your temporary residency visa is approved, you must obtain a cédula de identidad (national ID card) for foreigners. The Registro Civil requires an ‘Orden de Cedulación’ issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, along with proof of payment, as stated on the official Gob.ec page updated in August 2026.
For first-time issuance or renewal, you must present the required documents. If your cédula was lost or stolen, you need a constancia of the lost-document form; otherwise, you present your previous cédula, according to the Registro Civil.
As of 2026, foreign residents are instructed to request cédula services through the dedicated email [email protected], according to ECUAPASS in July 2026. No official figure for the issuance fee has been published.
Opening a Bank Account in a Dollarised Economy
Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency, so all bank accounts are in USD, and no currency conversion is needed, as noted by LuckyNomads. To open a personal account at Banco Pichincha, you generally need to be over 18, present a valid Ecuadorian cédula or passport for foreigners, and demonstrate regular migration status with a valid visa, according to Finanzas en Ecuador in December 2025.
Banks often request utility bills, employment certificates, or tax registration (RUC), plus a local reference, as reported by Finanzas en Ecuador. Many banks also require a rental contract or utility bill as proof of address, and may prefer a rental contract of at least six months, according to VladVulkan in April 2026.
Some banks may open accounts with only a passport, but then require extra documentation such as proof of address, bank reference letters, or higher minimum deposits, as noted by Ecuapass and VladVulkan. In many private banks, a resident visa and cédula are effectively required, according to MyEcuadorVisa in March 2026.
For foreigners, banks often ask for a bank reference letter from your home bank, translated into Spanish by a certified translator and apostilled, along with proof of income, to comply with KYC and anti-money-laundering rules, according to MyEcuadorVisa. Minimum opening deposits vary: some banks require USD 200 for savings or USD 500 for current accounts, as reported by ExpatEcuador in February 2026.
Rental Contracts: Legal Requirements and Best Practices
Under Ecuador’s Ley de Inquilinato, any rental contract with a monthly rent above one SBU (USD 482 in 2026) must be in written form, according to Arriendos.ec in February 2026. For urban residential rentals, a legally sound lease should include full names and identification numbers of both parties, exact property address, monthly rent amount and due date, lease start date and duration, security deposit amount and conditions, allocation of basic services costs, and an inventory of furniture if furnished, as recommended by Arriendos.ec.
The minimum duration of any written residential lease is two years, based on Article 28 of the Ley de Inquilinato, as noted by FirstHomeStartGuide in December 2025. Shorter terms in the document do not override this statutory minimum.
For furnished rentals, Article 24 requires a written inventory and valuation of furniture, specifying their value of use, according to Studocu. To ensure full enforceability, the contract must be registered with the Municipal Office of Rental Registries or have signatures recognized before a Notary Public, as stated by Arriendos.ec.
Legal guides for expats emphasize that the lease should explicitly state the two-year minimum term, security deposit details, and a detailed inventory if furnished, referencing Articles 28 and 24, according to MyEcuadorVisa in March 2026.
Health Insurance: IESS vs. Private Cover
After your visa is approved, you must obtain health insurance, either by affiliating to the public IESS system or purchasing private insurance, as required by Article 61 of the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana, according to MyEcuadorVisa in February 2026. This is a post-grant obligation, not part of the application itself.
IESS offers various modes of affiliation, but current regulations specify that voluntary affiliation is primarily for Ecuadorian citizens abroad, and it requires an Ecuadorian ID, an IESS online account, and an Ecuadorian bank account for automatic debit, according to Expreso.ec in January 2026. This effectively limits direct IESS enrolment by new foreign residents in their first weeks.
Private health insurance is often easier to obtain for new residents, and many choose it while they establish their residency. No official figure for IESS monthly contributions has been published, so consult the IESS website for current rates, as advised by IESS.gob.ec.
Driving Licence: Exchange and Requirements
To drive in Ecuador, you can exchange your foreign driving licence for an Ecuadorian one through the Agencia Nacional de Tránsito (ANT). The requirements include your identity document, an official blood type certificate from Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana, your original foreign licence, an official certificate attesting its validity issued by a diplomatic mission or foreign transit authority (apostilled or consularized and translated if needed), proof of payment, and a migratory movement certificate, according to Gob.ec in January 2026.
The process involves generating a payment order online via the ANT website, paying at authorized points, and then submitting all documentation at ANT licence modules during weekday office hours (08h00–16h30), making it a multi-step sequence over several days, as stated by Gob.ec.
Shipping and the Menaje de Casa Customs Exemption
When moving to Ecuador, you can import your household goods duty-free under the ‘menaje de casa’ exemption, administered by the Servicio Nacional de Aduana del Ecuador (SENAE). This exemption applies to new or used everyday household items acquired during residence abroad, for those who can prove residence abroad and return to settle in Ecuador, according to ElMercurio.com.ec in October 2025.
Eligibility extends even if your previous residence abroad was in irregular migratory status, provided you meet the returnee criteria, as reported by ElMercurio.com.ec. SENAE maintains official information on allowed items, limits, time windows, and documentary requirements on its ‘Menaje de casa’ and ‘Retorno de migrantes’ pages, according to Aduana.gob.ec.
Schools and Education for Expat Children
Ecuador’s education system is divided into levels and sublevels, as described by Euroinnova. Public schools are free, but many expats choose private or international schools, which often follow US, British, or IB curricula.
For enrolment, you will need your child’s birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish, and proof of previous schooling, which may need to be validated by the Ministry of Education. It is advisable to contact schools directly for specific requirements, as they vary by institution.
No official figure for school fees has been published, as they vary widely by school and location.
First 90 Days: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Before arrival, obtain and apostille all necessary documents, including your criminal background certificate, birth certificate, and marriage certificate, as these are difficult to obtain once in Ecuador, according to Extra.ec. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months.
Upon arrival, you have 90 days to complete your visa application online via eVISAS, as all procedures are now digital, according to Transport.com.ec. During this period, you should also secure temporary accommodation and begin gathering proof of address, such as a rental contract or utility bill.
After your visa is approved, apply for your cédula at the Registro Civil, using the dedicated email for foreign residents, as instructed by ECUAPASS. Then open a bank account, which typically requires your cédula and proof of address, as noted by Finanzas en Ecuador.
Enrol in health insurance (IESS or private) as a post-grant obligation, according to MyEcuadorVisa. If you plan to drive, start the licence exchange process at ANT, which involves several steps, as described by Gob.ec.
Finally, if you are shipping household goods, contact SENAE to understand the menaje de casa exemption and required documentation, as advised by Aduana.gob.ec. Keep copies of all documents and track deadlines to maintain your legal status.
| Visa Type | Income/Investment Requirement | Other Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Investor | USD 48,200 (100 times SBU) | Fixed deposit (730+ days), real estate, or company shares |
| Professional | USD 482/month (1 SBU) for 3 months | Degree ISCED 5+, SENESCYT registration |
| Rentista | Recurring lawful income meeting threshold | Bank statements, rental contracts |
| Digital Nomad | USD 1,446/month (3 SBU) or USD 17,352/year | Foreign-source income, international bank statements |
Sources: LuckyNomads, Nomadaze, Extra.ec, Genki Guide, VisaAtlas, MyEcuadorVisa, EcuaAssist, Expat Law Group, Gob.ec, ECUAPASS, Finanzas en Ecuador, VladVulkan, Arriendos.ec, FirstHomeStartGuide, Studocu, Expreso.ec, IESS.gob.ec, ANT, ElMercurio.com.ec, Aduana.gob.ec, Transport.com.ec, Softlanding Ecuador, ExpatEcuador
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