Move to Ecuador

Andes, Amazon, Pacific coast and Galápagos packed into one small country

Ecuador uses the US dollar and ties its income thresholds to the national basic salary, so the bar is low: about $1,446 a month for the digital nomad visa and the retiree visa. You apply online through the Foreign Ministry, and after 21 months of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence.

Routes we checked: 2
Digital nomad visa: Yes
Language: Spanish
Currency: USD
Last checked: 30 October 2026

Digital nomad visa Residence permit

Ways to live in Ecuador

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Temporary Residence Visa – Rentista for Remote Work (Digital Nomad Visa)

For people who work remotely for foreign employers or clients and want to live in Ecuador; it does not allow local employment.

What you need: Foreign income of at least 3 basic salaries (about $1,446 a month in 2026) for the 3 months before applying, plus proof of remote work for foreign employers or clients. Also: passport valid 6+ months, apostilled criminal record for the last 5 years and health insurance valid in Ecuador.
Income: from about $1,446 a month
How long: Temporary residence, up to 2 years
Renewable: Yes
Cost: Application fee plus visa issuance fee
How to apply: Online on the Foreign Ministry's e-visa site (serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec), from abroad or inside Ecuador
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Yes, after 21 months of temporary residence

Official page

Residence permit Residence permits →

Permanent Residence after 21 months of temporary residence

Holders of a temporary residence visa, including the nomad and retiree visas, can apply for permanent residence after 21 months.

What you need: More than 21 months of temporary residence, proof of lawful means of living, clean criminal record.
How long: Permanent
Renewable: No
How to apply: Online on the Foreign Ministry's e-visa site
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: This is permanent residence; citizenship can follow later

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

One-bedroom flat	$260
Two-bedroom flat	$460
Bills	$30

One-bedroom flat

$260

Two-bedroom flat

$460

Bills

$30

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Within a day it is possible to go from snowy volcanoes to cloud forest or the beach. Cuenca draws many retirees with its colonial centre and mild climate, while others choose Quito, the coast around Olón or valley towns like Vilcabamba.

Day to day

Buses connect almost every town, and domestic flights save time on longer routes. Private clinics in Quito and Cuenca offer good care. The US dollar is the currency, cards work in cities, and Spanish is needed for daily life.

Trade-offs

Security has worsened in parts of the coast, especially around Guayaquil. High altitude in Quito and Cuenca takes getting used to. Bureaucracy is slow and paperwork-heavy.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Ecuador have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Ecuador offers: Temporary Residence Visa – Rentista for Remote Work (Digital Nomad Visa).

How can I move to Ecuador?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Residence permit.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Ecuador were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Ecuador were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.