Ways to live in Uruguay
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 →
Digital nomad provisional ID (Hoja de Identidad Provisoria)
For people who work remotely for foreign employers or foreign clients. You can legally live and work remotely in Uruguay and get a local ID number.
- What you need
- No income threshold: you sign a sworn statement that you have enough money for your stay. Enter as a tourist and fill in the online form; to renew, you need criminal records from countries where you lived 6+ months in the last 5 years and a vaccination certificate issued in Uruguay.
- How long
- Up to 180 days, renewable once for another 180 days (about one year in total)
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- About $10; cannot be paid from abroad
- How to apply
- Online form on gub.uy after entering as a tourist; the ID is issued by the civil identification office
- Path to permanent residence
- Not a residence permit; to stay longer, apply for temporary or permanent residence.
Residence permit Residence permits →
Legal permanent residence (Residencia Legal Permanente)
Permanent residence for foreigners who prove enough income: employees, self-employed people, retirees and people with income from abroad. You can apply while in Uruguay as a tourist and get a provisional ID while you wait.
- What you need
- Proof of enough monthly income: a notary's income certificate (for pensions and foreign income, stating the amount and how it reaches Uruguay) or, for employees, your social security work record. Plus passport, birth certificate, criminal records (apostilled and translated) and a health card.
- How long
- Permanent; lost only after 3 years living outside Uruguay
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- A provisional resident ID is issued once all documents are submitted
- How to apply
- Start online on gub.uy, then bring the originals to an appointment at the immigration office; you can also start at a Uruguayan consulate
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- This is permanent residence; it is the basis for later naturalisation.
Legal temporary residence (Residencia Legal Temporaria)
Temporary residence for workers, students and others staying for a defined period.
- What you need
- Workers: an employer letter stating the job, contract term and monthly pay (at least the national minimum wage), plus a notary's certificate or social security work record. Students: proof of enough money (their own or a family member's).
- How long
- From 180 days up to 2 years; extension must be requested within 90 days before expiry
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Uruguay's immigration office (start online on gub.uy)
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Can later be changed to permanent residence if you meet its requirements.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $350 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $500 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $1,000 |
| Bills | $90 |
| Typical local salary | $1,000 |
| Budget for one person | $1,560 |
Cities to consider
- MontevideoRambla breezes and mate≈ $976 a month for one person, before rent
- Punta del EsteUruguay's glamorous beach resort≈ $976 a month for one person, before rent
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
Montevideo's long rambla is the city's living room, with mate in hand at sunset. Beach towns like Punta del Este and José Ignacio fill in summer, asado is a weekly ritual, and the countryside is open and peaceful.
Day to day
Comfortable buses connect the whole country, and distances are short. Healthcare runs largely through mutualist providers and private plans, and quality is good. Cards are widely used and internet coverage is strong. Spanish is needed day to day.
Trade-offs
It is one of the pricier countries in the region. Winters are damp and windy, and beach towns go very quiet outside summer.
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:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel91 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South Africa90 days
Mexico90 days
BrazilVisa-free
Questions
Does Uruguay have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Uruguay offers: Digital nomad provisional ID (Hoja de Identidad Provisoria).
How much money do I need to live in Uruguay?
A single person can live on from about $1,560 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $500 a month.
How can I move to Uruguay?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Residence permit.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Uruguay were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Uruguay were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- gub.uy – Hoja de identidad provisoria
- Uruguay XXI – Nómades digitales podrán vivir y trabajar legalmente en Uruguay
- gub.uy – Residencia Legal Permanente
- gub.uy – Residencia Legal Temporaria
- Ministerio del Interior – Tipos de residencias en Uruguay
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.
