--- title: "Moving to Ecuador 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Snow-capped Cotopaxi above the páramo of Cotopaxi National Park # Moving to Ecuador 14 ways to move to Ecuador in our guide: 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 4 investor routes, 2 pay-to-stay routes, 2 business / startup routes, 3 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa. Remote workers: [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista-remote-work/), $1,446+ a month. Smallest investment: [Investor · $48k shares](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-shares/), $48k+. Tax for newcomers: [Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/), Tax relief. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **$1,446+ a month** Digital nomad visa **Smallest investment needed:** **$48k+** Investor · $48k shares **Longest first stay:** **2 years** Digital nomad visa **Tax angle:** **Tax relief** Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023) Ecuador offers a range of temporary residence routes for people who want to live there, from remote workers and investors to retirees and students. The rules are set out in the visa regulations, and each route has its own requirements and conditions. Remote workers with foreign employers or clients Investors with capital, property or a business in Ecuador Retirees with a pension from abroad People with passive rental or investment income Students and professionals planning to study or practise in Ecuador ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista-remote-work/) **Income needed:** $1,446+ a month Stay 2 yrs, renewable Remote work only Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista-remote-work/) ## Investing · 4 ### Investor - [$48k shares](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-shares/) - [$48k property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-property/) - [$48k deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-deposit/) - [State contract](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-state-contract/) ## Retire or live on savings · 2 ### [Retiree visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-jubilado/) **Income needed:** $1,446+ a month Stay 2 yrs, renewable Needs health cover Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-jubilado/) ### [Rentista visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista/) **Income needed:** $1,446+ a month Stay 2 yrs, renewable Needs health cover Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Professional / tech visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-professional/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-professional/) ### [Freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-autonomous/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-autonomous/) ## Work · 3 ### [Researcher / academic visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-researcher/) **First stay:** 2 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-researcher/) ### [Company executive visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-legal-representative/) **Assets needed:** $48k+ Stay 2 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-legal-representative/) ### Employee visa **First stay:** 2 yrs **Details** Visa de residencia temporal — Trabajo en relación de dependencia (Reglamento art. 61) - Renewable - An employment contract or personnel action is required - Registration of the contract with the labour authority is required For employees of Ecuadorian public bodies or private employers. (sources 1, 2) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of $50 · Visa application fee, paid online when the request is filed; no VAT. (source 2) - A fee of $270 · Visa grant fee, paid on approval; no VAT. (source 2) #### Requirements - An employment contract or personnel action is required. (source 1) - Registration of the contract with the labour authority is required. (source 1) - A certificate shows the employer owes nothing to the tax authority, the social-security institute and the Superintendencia de Compañías. (source 1) #### Stay - Temporary residence authorises a 2-year stay, renewable once; permanent residence can be requested after 21 continuous months as a resident. - Initial permitted stay: 24 months. - Visa validity: 24 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Work Work for the contracting employer. #### Family Dependants can be covered by the holder; rules in the regulation (amparo). First checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Official site ↗](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022.07.21-reglamento-a-la-Ley-Organica-de-Movilidad-Humana.pdf) ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-student/) Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-student/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/spouse-of-citizen/) Can work: yes Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/spouse-of-citizen/) ## Tax Ecuador taxes Ecuadorian-source income and also income obtained abroad by natural persons domiciled in the country. You become a fiscal resident after spending the required number of days in the country in a fiscal period, with a credit for tax paid abroad. New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for a limited period, with foreign-source income outside the base. The progressive personal scale runs from the lowest to the highest rate and is updated every year. Standard rules ### [Ecuador income tax: 2026 scale 0-37% for fiscal residents, including foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/#tax-ec-resident-worldwide-income) **Details** - On: Ecuadorian-source income of everyone - Limit: $12k/yr Ecuador taxes Ecuadorian-source income and also income obtained abroad by natural persons domiciled in the country (LRTI art. 2), on a 2026 scale of 0% up to USD 12,208 rising to 37% above USD 109,956; an individual is a fiscal resident after 183 days or more in the country in a fiscal period, with a credit for tax paid abroad under art. 49. #### Taxed on Ecuadorian-source income of everyone; plus income obtained abroad by domiciled natural persons and national companies. Tax on net taxable income per the Article 36 table: basic fraction tax plus the marginal rate on the excess over the band's lower limit. #### Who it applies to - Fiscal residence (art. 4.1): (a) 183 calendar days or more, consecutive or not, in the same fiscal period; (b) 183 days or more in a 12-month span across two fiscal periods, unless residence in another country is proven; (c) main centre of activities or economic interests in Ecuador (largest income in the last 12 months, or largest assets, in Ecuador); (d) no more than 183 days in any other country and closest family ties in Ecuador. #### Exclusions - A resident who proves fiscal residence in a tax haven or lower-tax jurisdiction must show at least 183 days there in the fiscal year; a fiscal resident of Ecuador who later claims such residence remains resident for up to four further fiscal periods unless 183 days there are proven. #### Limits - $12,208 a year · Fiscal year 2026: income up to USD 12,208 is the untaxed basic fraction (0%). - $15,549 a year · 5% on the part of income from USD 12,208 to this amount (no fixed amount). - $20,188 a year · 10% on the part from USD 15,549 to this amount, plus USD 167. - $26,700 a year · 12% on the part from USD 20,188 to this amount, plus USD 631. - $35,136 a year · 15% on the part from USD 26,700 to this amount, plus USD 1,412. - $46,575 a year · 20% on the part from USD 35,136 to this amount, plus USD 2,678. - $62,005 a year · 25% on the part from USD 46,575 to this amount, plus USD 4,965. - $82,679 a year · 30% on the part from USD 62,005 to this amount, plus USD 8,823. - $109,956 a year · 35% on the part from USD 82,679 to this amount, plus USD 15,025; above this amount 37% on the excess plus USD 24,572. #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in same fiscal period, or 12 months across two fiscal periods · Presence in Ecuador, including sporadic absences, consecutive or not (art. 4.1 a and b) #### Tax residence The progressive personal scale for 2026 runs from 0% to 37% and is updated every year by the SRI from urban consumer price inflation (Resolution NAC-DGERCGC25-00000043, applicable from 1 January 2026). #### Visas Fiscal residence follows days of presence and centre of interests, not the visa category. #### Other taxes Art. 49 gives a tax credit for income tax paid abroad. Employee social security (IESS): the dependent private-sector worker pays 9.45% of salary and the employer 11.15% (total 20.60%). VAT is a separate tax. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/) Special regime ### [Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/#tax-ec-temporary-fiscal-residence) Tax relief **Details** - On: Ecuadorian-source income only, taxed on the ordinary scale - Who: Not previously a fiscal resident of Ecuador - Limit: $150k New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for 5 years. #### Taxed on Ecuadorian-source income only, taxed on the ordinary scale; foreign-source income is outside the base. #### Who it applies to - Not previously a fiscal resident of Ecuador. - Either invest at least USD 150,000 in Ecuadorian real estate or productive activities and keep it at least 5 years, or prove non-Ecuadorian-source monthly income of at least USD 2,500 and affiliate to social security. - Conditions must be met between day 1 and day 120 after entering Ecuador. #### Exclusions - Ecuadorian-source income remains taxable. #### Limits - $150,000 · Minimum investment in real estate or productive activities in Ecuador, kept at least 5 years. - $2,500 a month · Alternative: proven monthly income not of Ecuadorian source; holder must join social security. #### Tax residence Lasts 5 years from the fiscal year the conditions are met. #### Visas The law links the regime to temporary residence. #### Other taxes Social-security affiliation is required under the income route; VAT is unaffected. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/) Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR** · Visa de residencia permanente por 21 meses de residencia (LOMH / Reglamento arts. 83-84) ## Arriving in Ecuador: first steps 1. Get valid health insurance for the whole visa period; a foreign policy must state coverage in Ecuador. 2. Ensure your passport is valid for at least the required period. 3. Show lawful means of livelihood under the applicable ministerial agreement. 4. For dependants, show additional monthly income for each person covered. 5. Register your address and obtain your identification documents as required by the visa route. ## Questions people ask ### What is the Ecuador digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Ecuador has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista-remote-work/) asks for an income of at least $1,446 a month and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Ecuador? Ecuador has 4 investor routes. [Investor · $48k shares](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-shares/) asks for an investment of at least $48,200 and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Investor · $48k property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-property/) asks for an investment of at least $48,200 and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Investor · $48k deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-deposit/) asks for an investment of at least $48,200 and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can I retire or live in Ecuador on my savings or pension? Ecuador has 2 retirement or pay-to-stay routes. [Retiree visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-jubilado/) asks for an income of at least $1,446 a month and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Rentista visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista/) asks for an income of at least $1,446 a month and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Ecuador by starting a business? Ecuador has 2 business or startup routes. [Professional / tech visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-professional/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-autonomous/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Ecuador offer foreigners? Ecuador has 3 work visas. [Researcher / academic visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-researcher/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Company executive visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-legal-representative/) asks for assets of at least $48,200 and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. Employee visa gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Ecuador? Ecuador has 1 student visa. It is [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-student/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Ecuador? Yes. Ecuador has 1 spouse visa. It is [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/spouse-of-citizen/). ### Does Ecuador have a special tax regime for new residents? Yes: [Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/). New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for 5 years. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Compare with [🇲🇽 Mexico](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/) [🇨🇴 Colombia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/) [🇨🇷 Costa Rica](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/) [🇧🇷 Brazil](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/brazil/) [🇦🇷 Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/argentina/) [🇨🇦 Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/canada/) [🇺🇸 United States](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/) [🇺🇾 Uruguay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/uruguay/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (2)** ## Official sources 1. [Reglamento a la Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (arts. 60-76, 83-84)](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022.07.21-reglamento-a-la-Ley-Organica-de-Movilidad-Humana.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Concesión de visa de residencia temporal de trabajo por actividades laborales en relación de dependencia](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-trabajo-actividades-laborales-relacion-dependencia) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-11