Moving to Uruguay in 2026

Moving to Uruguay: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens enter Uruguay visa-free for up to 90 days and apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. You need proven income or means of support, a police certificate and a health card; the permanent residence fee is about $95. While the application is reviewed, you get a Uruguayan ID card, used to rent a home and open an account.

1. Before the trip. Police certificate and certificates with an apostille, proof of income, Spanish translations.
2. Days 1-30. Permanent residence application at the migration service, health card, ID card.
3. Days 30-90. Bank account, a one-year lease, a health insurance fund.

Outside the centre a one-bedroom flat costs about $500 a month, and Pocitos, Punta Carretas and Carrasco are above average. A health fund contribution is roughly $60-120 a month per adult. A family budget depends on its size; we calculate it in the chat.

Uruguay in brief

Uruguay is a small country in south-east South America between Argentina and Brazil, on the Atlantic and the broad estuary of the Río de la Plata. The 2023 census counted about 3.4 million people, almost half of them in and around the capital, Montevideo. It is one of Latin America's most stable democracies, with strong institutions, low corruption and a large middle class. Almost all of the country's electricity comes from renewable sources. The language is Spanish, and the currency the Uruguayan peso.

The economy rests on exports of beef, soy, rice, dairy and pulp, tourism, software and free trade zones. Uruguay suits families who want a calm life, a quick 3-year path to citizenship and a child born with citizenship, as well as remote workers and investors. It suits less those seeking inexpensive living: it is one of the most expensive countries in South America.

How to move in 2026

Russian citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days and can apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. Citizenship is granted after 3 years of living in the country for those with family here and after 5 years without family, and an absence of more than 6 months in a row resets the clock. The passport costs about $140 and gives visa-free access to 156 countries. More on the page about Uruguayan citizenship.

Taxes

Uruguay taxes a resident's salary on a scale from 0% to 36%: the first 48,048 pesos a month, about $1,200, are tax-free. Capital income is taxed at 12%, and dividends from Uruguayan companies at 7%. Since 1 January 2026 some foreign income is also taxed at 12%: rent abroad and gains on the sale of foreign shares and property. A new resident can go 11 years without tax on foreign passive income. Corporate tax is 25%, VAT 22%, the wealth tax for residents about 0.1%, and there is no inheritance tax. More on the page about Uruguayan taxes.

A child born in Uruguay

Under the constitution, everyone born on Uruguayan territory becomes a citizen, regardless of the parents' nationality. The child's documents are issued within a few weeks of birth, and the parents gain the right to permanent residence without a prior residence period and can apply for citizenship after 3 years of living in the country. That is why many families arrive in advance, give birth in a private clinic and immediately start on the path to their own passport. More on the page about giving birth in Uruguay.

Property

Foreigners buy flats, houses and land on the same terms as Uruguayans, with no special permits. The deal is handled by a notary, who checks title and debts and registers the purchase. Prices are in dollars, and the most expensive areas are the Montevideo seafront and the Punta del Este resort. Buying a home of a certain value also provides a basis for tax residency. More on the page about property in Uruguay.

Cost of living

Uruguay is one of the most expensive countries in South America: groceries, restaurants, cars and electronics cost more than in neighbouring Argentina and Brazil. Healthcare comes through health mutuals: the contribution is roughly $60-120 a month per adult, and the mutuals have their own clinics and doctors. State schools and the public university are free, and Montevideo has private bilingual schools.

Where to live

• Montevideo. The capital on the Río de la Plata with a long seafront promenade. Newcomers choose Pocitos, Punta Carretas and Carrasco near the airport.
• Punta del Este. The country's main resort, busy and expensive in summer, quiet in winter.
• Colonia del Sacramento. A historic town about an hour by ferry from Buenos Aires.
• Atlántida and Piriápolis. Calm coastal towns an hour from the capital with cheaper housing.
• La Barra and José Ignacio. A fashionable coast near Punta del Este with villas.

Practicalities

• Climate. Temperate and humid: about 25-30 degrees in summer and 8-15 in winter, with damp weather and ocean wind.
• Documents. After applying for permanent residence a foreigner receives a Uruguayan identity card, used to open a bank account, rent a home and pay taxes.
• Language. Spanish; English is known in business circles in Montevideo and Punta del Este.
• Getting there. Carrasco airport in Montevideo has direct flights to Madrid, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Panama. Ferries to Buenos Aires take 1-3 hours.
• Safety. One of the calmest countries in the region, though crime has risen in some parts of Montevideo.

Business and companies

A company in Uruguay is registered in a few weeks, and a foreigner can be its sole owner. For trade, logistics, software and services abroad there are free trade zones, where companies are exempt from most local taxes. Uruguay has no double taxation treaty with Russia, so a business structure should be planned in advance. More on the page about company registration in Uruguay.

Who Uruguay suits

Uruguay is a strong choice for families who want a calm and safe life, permanent residence without extra conditions and a passport after 3 years, and for those planning to have a child. The 11-year tax holiday makes the country convenient for holders of foreign passive income. Write in the chat and we will plan the path to citizenship and calculate the full cost of moving for your family.