How to send money to Ecuador in 2026: US dollars with no exchange in 1-3 business days and deposits insured up to $32,000
The US dollar has been Ecuador's currency since 2000, so a transfer arrives in the same amount with no exchange-rate difference. Why a large sum is planned for real deals because of the 5% tax on taking money out, how deposits up to $32,000 are protected and which flat gives a residence permit in 2026.
In short
- Ecuador's currency has been the US dollar since 2000, so a transfer arrives with no exchange.
- Bringing money in is tax-free, taking it abroad costs 5% of the amount.
- Deposits are insured up to $32,000 per depositor at each bank.
- A flat from $48,200 gives a 2-year investor residence permit.
In detail
Ecuador has paid in US dollars since 2000, so a transfer to Ecuador needs no exchange: dollars reach the account in the same amount in 1-3 business days, and there is no tax on bringing money in. Ecuador charges a 5% tax on the way back, when money leaves the country, and that is what is taken into account when deciding how much money to bring in.
| Method | In 2026 | Currency | Timing | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer from abroad to your own account | works | US dollars | 1-3 business days | account number and type, the 8- or 11-character bank code, the name |
| Transfer between banks within Ecuador | works | US dollars | the same business day | account number and type, the recipient's ID document |
| Money transfer service | works | US dollars | from minutes to a day | the recipient's name and ID number |
| Paying the seller for a flat | works | US dollars | 1-3 business days | the contract, papers on the origin of the money for the bank and the notary |
There is no need to convert currency on this page: all amounts are in US dollars. The table was checked on 8 October 2026.
The US dollar as Ecuador's currency: what it means for a transfer
Ecuador switched to the US dollar in 2000, and since then salaries, flat prices, taxes and deposits have been counted in dollars. For a transfer this means three things: there is no exchange on the recipient's side, no exchange-rate difference between the day of sending and the day of the deal, and the flat price in the contract equals the transfer amount plus taxes.
Deposits in Ecuadorian banks are insured up to $32,000 per depositor at each bank. If a larger sum has been collected for a flat, before the deal it is kept at several banks or transferred closer to the payment date.
If the money does not come from a dollar country, the exchange happens on the sender's side: their bank changes euros, pounds or another currency into dollars before sending. So the rate is compared at the sender's bank, and the recipient in Ecuador sees exactly the sum that left after exchange and fees.
Want to know in advance how many dollars will arrive? A manager will calculate the transfer amount with the exchange and fees on the sender's side.
The 5% tax on taking money out of Ecuador: how to plan a transfer
Bringing money into Ecuador is not taxed, while on a transfer from Ecuador abroad the bank withholds the currency outflow tax. The general rate of 5% has applied since 1 April 2024 and remains in 2026. The tax is charged both on money from selling a flat and on withdrawing savings, so the sum for Ecuador is calculated for real expenses and deals.
| Operation | Tax in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Transferring money to Ecuador | none |
| Transferring money from Ecuador abroad | 5% of the amount |
| Buying a flat, municipal transfer tax | 1% of the value, paid by the buyer |
| Selling a flat | 10% of the profit, paid by the seller |
Rates checked on 8 October 2026. Example: taking $100,000 out of Ecuador after selling a flat means a $5,000 tax. So money for a home is transferred once, for the deal, rather than moved back and forth.
A flat from $48,200 gives a foreigner a 2-year investor residence permit: the deal calculation is in buying a flat in Ecuador, other routes in a residence permit for retirees in Ecuador and Ecuadorian citizenship, and resident tax rates on the taxes in Ecuador page.
Life in the capital is described in the Quito guide.
We will help you send money to Ecuador
Mistakes cost more than fees: extra money sent to Ecuador and sent back with the 5% tax, the whole sum for a flat kept at one bank above the $32,000 insurance, the exchange into dollars at the sender's side at a poor rate, a notary without statements on the path of the money. We will help you avoid them: we choose a legal transfer route from your country, prepare documents on the origin of the money for the Ecuadorian bank and the notary and carry out the transfer through licensed partners through to crediting.
Details and the cost are with a manager in the chat: the calculation depends on the amount, the sending country and the purpose of the transfer.
A transfer to Ecuador by amount
What an Ecuadorian bank asks depends on the amount. In 2026:
| Amount | The Ecuadorian bank's question | Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | to whom and why | account details and purpose |
| $10,000-$100,000 | the source of the money | statements for six months, an income certificate |
| From $100,000 | the path of the money and the deal | a contract for the sale of property, a tax return, the contract with the seller |
How to prove where the money comes from is covered in proof of source of funds, sending a large sum abroad and moving home sale proceeds abroad.
Planning to send $100,000 or more to Ecuador for a home or an investor residence permit? A manager will put together the papers on the origin of the money for the Ecuadorian bank and the notary and carry out the transfer through licensed partners; moving capital is covered on the capital relocation page.
From Quito and Guayaquil: where transfers go
From Ecuador money most often goes to families and for studies, with the 5% outflow tax:
- Spain - deposit guarantee of 100,000 euros
- USA - an incoming transfer costs $15-16
- Italy - euros in 10 seconds
Sending money to neighbouring countries
- Colombia - pesos and the 4 per 1,000 tax
- Peru - soles or dollars, your choice
- Bolivia - a floating rate since June 2026
- Chile - pesos and the unit of account
- Paraguay - dollars or guaranies
- El Salvador - the US dollar, transfers in seconds
All the routes for moving capital are on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Do I need to exchange dollars when sending money to Ecuador?
How much is the tax on taking money out of Ecuador?
Up to what amount is a deposit at an Ecuadorian bank insured?
Does buying a flat in Ecuador give a residence permit?
What tax does the buyer of a flat in Ecuador pay?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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