Where I Can Live
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Americas · Spanish · updated 2026-10

Moving to Ecuador: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,150 a month to live in Quito / Cuenca, and a family of four about $2,600, including rent. Ecuador usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 2 yrs, with citizenship after 3 yrs, and dual citizenship is allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Digital nomad visa and the Retiree (jubilado) / rentista.

Monthly budget
$1,150
Very low cost
Safety
8
High risk
Stability
26
Unstable
Family
33
Fair
Main city
Quito / Cuenca
Language
Spanish
Permanent residence
2 yrs
Citizenship
3 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Digital nomad visa
Yes
What can your passport do in Ecuador?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
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Cost of living in Ecuador, per month in US$

One person
$1,150
Family of four
$2,600
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Quito / Cuenca centre
$500
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$950
Estimate
Price level
44
US = 100
Income per person
$574
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
8
High risk
Homicides per 100k
45.72
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability−0.64
Rule of law−1.03
Control of corruption−0.74
Government effectiveness−0.03
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Unstable overall (26/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
33
Fair
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.594
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
12.9
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
77.6 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$509
per person / year
Education spending
3.7%
of GDP

Visa & residence routes

Remote work
Digital nomad visa3× Ecuador's basic salary, $1,446/month in 2026; 2 years, renewable.
Passive income
Retiree (jubilado) / rentistaAbout $1,446/month pension or passive income.
Investment
Investor visaAbout $47,000 in a deposit, property or business.
Job offer
Work visaWith an Ecuadorian employer.

Who gets easier access to Ecuador

The Mercosur Residence Agreement gives 2 years of residence with work rights, then permanent residence. No job offer needed.

Flag of ArgentinaArgentinaFlag of BoliviaBoliviaFlag of BrazilBrazilFlag of ChileChileFlag of ColombiaColombiaFlag of ParaguayParaguayFlag of PeruPeruFlag of UruguayUruguay

Visiting: 152 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 46 can apply for an eVisa and 0 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
2 yrs
21 months on a temporary visa
Citizenship
3 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed

Ecuador uses the US dollar.

Last checked 2026-10.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Ecuador?

About $1,150 a month for one person and $2,600 for a family of four in Quito / Cuenca, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $500 a month and a 3-bedroom around $950. Prices are 44% of US levels. Ecuador is the 13th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is Ecuador safe to live in?

Ecuador scores 8/100 for safety (high risk), ranking 76th of 76. The homicide rate is 45.72 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is Ecuador politically stable?

Ecuador scores 26/100 for stability (unstable), ranking 74th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is Ecuador good for families?

Ecuador scores 33/100 for family-friendliness (fair), ranking 69th of 76. Life expectancy is 77.6 years and under-5 mortality is 12.9 per 1,000 births.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Ecuador?

Usually 2 yrs of legal residence. 21 months on a temporary visa.

How long until I can become a citizen of Ecuador?

Usually 3 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: allowed.

Can I move to Ecuador without a job offer?

Yes. Digital nomad visa: 3× Ecuador's basic salary, $1,446/month in 2026; 2 years, renewable. Retiree (jubilado) / rentista: About $1,446/month pension or passive income.

Does Ecuador have a digital nomad visa?

Yes: the Digital nomad visa. 3× Ecuador's basic salary, $1,446/month in 2026; 2 years, renewable.

Who can live and work in Ecuador without a visa?

The Mercosur Residence Agreement gives 2 years of residence with work rights, then permanent residence. No job offer needed. (Mercosur Residence Agreement: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru.)

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Ecuador can move