How to Move to Ecuador in 2026

You've been researching for weeks — maybe months. You've read the “top 10 places to retire abroad” listicles, watched the YouTube tours of furnished apartments with mountain views, and run the numbers on your pension or savings. Ecuador keeps coming up, and for good reason: it uses the US dollar, the cost of living is a fraction of most American cities, the healthcare system covers pre-existing conditions, and the climate in the highlands makes air conditioning and heating both unnecessary. The question isn't why Ecuador anymore. The question is how.

I moved to Cuenca in 2020. I run EcuaPass, a visa service that has helped hundreds of people make this same move. What follows is the guide I wish someone had handed me before I started packing boxes — six phases, roughly six months, from first research to boots on the ground.

Pick Your Visa Path

Your visa determines your document list, your income requirements, and your timeline. Get this decision right first and everything else follows. Here are the main residency options for 2026, with the current SBU (Salario Básico Unificado) set at $482:

Not sure which fits? Our visa comparison tool walks you through it in five minutes, or you can message me on WhatsApp for a free consultation.

Choose a City

Ecuador packs astonishing geographic diversity into a country the size of Colorado. Your lifestyle preferences matter more than any ranking.

Cuenca is where most expats land, and for good reason. The UNESCO-listed historic center is walkable, the weather never requires air conditioning or heating, and the expat community is large enough that you'll always find English speakers — which is both a feature and a bug. The metro area is home to roughly 600,000 people, with about 400,000 in the urban core. Monthly budgets for a comfortable single life run $1,500–2,500. The downside: some neighborhoods feel more like American suburbs than Ecuador. If you want full cultural immersion, you'll need to intentionally seek it out.

Quito has everything a capital city offers — an international airport with direct US flights, world-class restaurants, nightlife, and museums — but it comes with big-city trade-offs. Traffic is brutal, the altitude is higher than Cuenca at 9,350 feet, and comparable housing runs 15–20% more. Budget $1,800–3,000 monthly.

The Coast (Salinas, Manta, Puerto López) offers a completely different lifestyle at lower costs ($1,200–2,000/month). I don't live on the coast, but clients who do report excellent seafood, warmer communities, and less infrastructure. The trade-offs are humidity, fewer medical services, and smaller expat networks. If you're coming from Florida or Hawaii, the coast might feel familiar. If you're coming from Colorado or the northeast, Cuenca's spring-like highland climate is probably what you're picturing when you think “Ecuador.”

Smaller highland towns like Loja, Cotacachi, and Vilcabamba offer the most authentic Ecuadorian experience at the lowest cost ($1,200–1,800/month), but with fewer English speakers, limited medical services, and smaller communities. Great for people who already speak some Spanish and want quiet.

Take an Exploratory Trip

I'll be honest — I skipped the exploratory trip and moved directly. It worked out, but I got lucky. Most people should spend 2–4 weeks testing reality before selling their house and shipping their life.

Rent short-term in your target city through Airbnb. Walk the neighborhoods you'd actually live in — not just the tourist blocks. Visit the hospitals and clinics you'd use. Check grocery stores and local markets (the Feria Libre in Cuenca is a revelation if you're used to Whole Foods prices). Attend an expat meetup and ask the hard questions: What do you hate about living here? What surprised you? Would you do it again? This trip pays for itself in avoided mistakes.

Document gathering is the longest and most tedious part of the entire process. It's also where most people make mistakes that cost them months of delay. Start early, stay organized, and don't underestimate bureaucratic timelines.

The FBI Background Check — Start Here

If you're American, your FBI background check is the single longest lead-time item on the entire list. Order it through identogo.com (the FBI's authorized channeler). It costs approximately $18, and processing takes 2–8 weeks. The result is officially called an “Identity History Summary” — not a “background check” or “criminal record” — and the terminology matters on your application.

Canadians need the RCMP check (allow 8–12 weeks). British applicants need an ACRO certificate. Whatever your country, this is the first document you should request.

Core Documents Everyone Needs

Beyond the background check, every applicant needs a valid passport (at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival — renew now if it's close), a certified birth certificate (long form, from the issuing state or province), and a marriage certificate if you're bringing a spouse as a dependent.

Every one of these documents needs an apostille before Ecuador will accept it. This is where people get confused: federal documents (your FBI check) go to the US Department of State for apostille. State-issued documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate) go to the Secretary of State in the state that issued them. These are completely different offices with different processes and timelines. The State Department apostille takes 2–6 weeks by mail, or can be expedited through a courier service.

Finally, all apostilled documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. You can do this in Ecuador — it's often cheaper and faster than getting translations in the US.

Visa-Specific Documents

Your visa type determines the additional paperwork. Pensioner applicants need a pension verification letter and six months of bank statements. Rentista applicants need documentation of their investment or passive income sources plus bank statements. Professional visa applicants need SENESCYT credential registration and proof of employment. Investor visa applicants need a property deed with appraisal or a bank certificate of deposit.

The Dollar Advantage

Ecuador adopted the US dollar in 2000. If you're American, this eliminates currency risk entirely — your Social Security deposits, your pension, your investment income all arrive in the same currency you spend. No exchange rate anxiety, no conversion fees. This is one of Ecuador's most underrated advantages for American retirees and one of the reasons I recommend it over countries with their own currencies, where a bad month on the forex market can blow a hole in your budget.

Moving Money: Wise Is Your Best Friend

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is how most expats move money internationally. The exchange rates are close to mid-market, fees are transparent and low, and transfers usually arrive in 1–2 business days. If you're Canadian, British, or European and need to convert your home currency to USD, set up your Wise account before you leave home. For Americans, Wise is still useful for sending money to your Ecuadorian bank account without the $25–50 wire fees your US bank charges.

Keep your home country bank accounts open. You'll need them for receiving pension or income deposits, maintaining your credit history, emergency fund access, and as a backup funding source. Bring 2–3 credit cards with no foreign transaction fees — Visa is the most widely accepted in Ecuador, Mastercard second, and American Express has limited acceptance.

Opening an Ecuadorian Bank Account

Opening an Ecuadorian bank account is one of the more frustrating parts of the process. Each bank has different requirements, some branches are friendlier to foreigners than others, and the process can take multiple visits. Bring your cédula, passport, a utility bill or rental contract in your name, and patience.

Banco del Pacífico and Produbanco tend to be the most expat-friendly in Cuenca. Banco Pichincha is the largest bank nationally, and Banco de Guayaquil has a solid presence on the coast. Expect an initial deposit requirement of $200–500 and plan for at least two branch visits before your account is fully functional.

Budget Planning

Here's a realistic monthly budget for a single person or couple living comfortably but not lavishly. These numbers reflect Cuenca in early 2026 and will vary by city. See our cost of living calculator for a personalized estimate.

A basic 1-bedroom apartment in Cuenca starts around $350–450. A nice 2-bedroom with views runs $600–900. Carry small bills ($20s and below) — many places can't break $50s or $100s.

Before You Leave Home

Get a full medical and dental checkup while you still have your home-country insurance. Fill your prescriptions and bring a 3–6 month supply of any medications you take regularly. Most common medications are available in Ecuador — often cheaper and sometimes without a prescription — but you don't want to be hunting for your blood pressure medication during your first week in a new country. Bring your vaccination records too; you may need them for healthcare enrollment.

IESS: Ecuador's Public Healthcare System

IESS (Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social) is mandatory for all visa holders and is one of Ecuador's strongest selling points. It costs approximately $80–100/month for voluntary affiliates, calculated as a percentage of your declared income. The coverage is comprehensive: general consultations, specialists, hospitalization, medications, and surgeries — with no pre-existing condition exclusions. Read that again if you're coming from the American insurance market.

The quality varies by location, but Cuenca's IESS hospital (Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga) is well-regarded. Wait times for general consultations are usually short — days, not weeks. Specialist appointments and elective surgeries have longer waits that vary by service type and demand, but they're generally measured in weeks rather than the months you might experience in Canada or the UK. The main frustration is bureaucracy, not quality.

Many expats supplement IESS with private insurance ($100–300/month through BMI, Saludsa, or Humana) for faster service and English-speaking doctors. Others simply pay out-of-pocket for routine care — a doctor visit runs $25–40, a specialist $40–60. One important note: US Medicare does not work in Ecuador, and Canadian provincial health plans end after you leave.

What to Ship vs. What to Buy Here

I see this mistake constantly in the Facebook groups: someone ships a full container for $5,000–8,000 and then discovers that most of what they shipped is available in Ecuador for less than the shipping cost. Ship sentimental items, specialty medications, and professional equipment. Buy furniture, kitchen items, and linens locally — a fully furnished apartment setup from Ecuadorian stores costs $1,000–3,000.

Ship what's irreplaceable or genuinely expensive to replace: family photos and heirlooms, electronics you already own (laptops, cameras, professional equipment), specialty medications, and important original documents. Everything else — furniture, kitchen supplies, towels, basic clothing — is cheaper to buy here than to ship here. Ecuador uses the same electrical plugs as the US (Type A/B), so your devices work without adapters.

One tip from experience: electronics are significantly more expensive in Ecuador than in the US. If you have room in your suitcase, bringing an extra phone or laptop isn't a bad idea — either for a backup or to sell locally at a markup that helps offset your moving costs.

Arriving in Ecuador

At immigration, show your passport and receive your 90-day tourist stamp (or present your visa documentation if you applied from abroad). Keep your entry stamp clear and photograph it — you'll reference it later.

Your first-week priorities are simple: get a local SIM card (Claro has the best coverage, Movistar is solid, and CNT is cheapest — a prepaid SIM runs $5–10), find temporary housing if you haven't pre-arranged it, and download the essential apps: Uber, InDriver (the local ride-sharing favorite), and WhatsApp, which is how everyone in Ecuador communicates. Locate your nearest supermarket, pharmacy, and hospital. Then take a breath. You're here.

Housing

Rent month-to-month first. Don't sign a long lease until you know your city and your neighborhood. Facebook expat groups (Cuenca Expats, Quito Expats, etc.) are the primary housing marketplace — more so than any website. Local real estate agents can also help, and simply walking neighborhoods and looking for “Se Arrienda” signs remains a surprisingly effective strategy. Start with Airbnb for your first few weeks, then transition to a local rental. Typical lease terms are 6–12 months (negotiable), one to two months security deposit, and first month's rent upfront. Utilities are usually not included.

Submit Your Visa Application

Ecuador moved to an online e-visa system through serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec. You can start your application before arriving, though some steps require an in-person appearance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your city. The online system is functional but not intuitive — if you're working with a visa service, they handle the submission and follow-up communication with immigration in Spanish.

Government fees total approximately $320: a $50 application fee plus a $270 visa grant fee. Add another $40–50 for your cédula registration, bringing total government costs to roughly $370–400. Processing takes 4–8 weeks. If you use a service like EcuaPass, our fees range from $1,200–1,800 depending on visa type, covering document review, application submission, immigration communication, and post-approval support.

Get Your Cédula

Your cédula is your life in Ecuador. You'll use it more than your passport — for banking, healthcare enrollment, buying a SIM card, signing a lease, even getting the senior discount at restaurants if you're 65+. Get it as soon as your visa is approved.

After visa approval, register at the Registro Civil to receive your cédula (Ecuador national ID card). The process is straightforward and typically completed in a single visit. From this point forward, your cédula is your primary identification document in Ecuador.

IESS Enrollment & Phone Plan

With your cédula in hand, visit the IESS office to register as a voluntary affiliate and begin your monthly healthcare contributions. Coverage availability varies by service type — general consultations are accessible quickly, while specialist referrals and elective procedures may have waiting periods. For your phone, most expats start with prepaid service and later switch to a postpaid plan ($15–40/month with data). Claro has the largest network, followed by Movistar and the government-run CNT.

1. Moving Without Visiting First

Ecuador is wonderful, but it is not for everyone. The altitude affects some people badly. The pace of life requires adjustment. The bureaucracy tests your patience. Spend 2–4 weeks testing the reality before you sell your house. An exploratory trip that costs $2,000 can save you from a $20,000 mistake.

2. Bringing Too Much Stuff

A full shipping container costs $5,000–8,000 and takes weeks to clear customs. Most furniture and household items are cheaper to buy in Ecuador than to ship from the US. Ship only what's irreplaceable.

3. Not Learning Basic Spanish

English goes far in expat areas, but Spanish transforms your experience. Even basic conversational Spanish opens doors — better prices at the market, friendlier interactions with neighbors, access to restaurants and services that don't cater to tourists. Start before you arrive with Duolingo to build the habit, then invest in private lessons once you land ($5–10/hour in Cuenca). The return on this investment is enormous.

4. Expecting Everything to Work Like Home

Ecuador runs on Ecuador time. Government offices close for lunch. Stores have irregular hours. Internet isn't always reliable. Construction happens on its own timeline. Patience isn't just a virtue here — it's a survival skill. The people who thrive in Ecuador are the ones who can laugh when the power goes out during a rainstorm instead of filing a complaint.

5. Isolating in the Expat Bubble

The expat community is invaluable for support, especially early on. But if your entire social life is other Americans complaining about Ecuador over brunch, you're missing the point. Make Ecuadorian friends. Learn the culture. Eat at the market stalls where lunch costs $3 instead of the expat-priced cafés. You moved to Ecuador — experience it.

6. DIY-ing Your Visa Application

The visa process has specific requirements that change, and the consequences of a rejected application are months of wasted time and potentially expired documents that need to be re-obtained and re-apostilled. A professional visa service ($1,200–1,800 through EcuaPass) handles document review, submission, and communication with immigration. The cost pays for itself the first time a document issue gets caught before submission rather than after.

7. Not Understanding Your US Tax Obligations

This is the one most moving guides skip entirely. Moving to Ecuador does not stop your US tax obligations. American citizens and green card holders owe federal taxes on worldwide income regardless of where they live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Tax Credit, and FBAR filing requirements all apply. If you have foreign bank accounts exceeding $10,000 in aggregate at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114). Penalties for non-filing are severe — up to $10,000 per account per year for non-willful violations.

FileAbroad.com (launching March 2026) is our expat tax service built specifically for Americans living overseas. But regardless of who prepares your taxes, do not ignore this. The IRS does not care that you now live in a country where lunch costs $3.

Timeline Summary

Here's the complete roadmap compressed into one table. Print it, pin it to your wall, and check things off as you go.

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