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✈️Visa & Residency
Retirement (Pensionado) Visa — requires just $1,446/mo pension income (Social Security qualifies), no age minimum. 2-year temporary permit, then permanent residency after 21 months.
Professional Visa — for remote workers or self-employed, requires $1,446/mo income proof. One of the lowest income thresholds in the world.
Professional Visa — for remote workers or self-employed, requires $1,446/mo income proof. One of the lowest income thresholds in the world.
💰Cost of Living
Excluding rent, a single person needs ~$600 USD/mo
a family of four ~$2,100 USD/mo.
Rent (1-bed, city center): Quito ~$550, Salinas ~$600, Cuenca ~$500, Guayaquil ~$450.
Groceries run $5-8/day per person.
Overall 55-70% below US major cities
— Cuenca runs $1,200-1,800/mo for a couple with private healthcare
uses USD.
a family of four ~$2,100 USD/mo.
Rent (1-bed, city center): Quito ~$550, Salinas ~$600, Cuenca ~$500, Guayaquil ~$450.
Groceries run $5-8/day per person.
Overall 55-70% below US major cities
— Cuenca runs $1,200-1,800/mo for a couple with private healthcare
uses USD.
💡Key Fact
Ecuador uses the US dollar and has no currency exchange risk.
The average US Social Security payment ($1,900/mo) comfortably exceeds the visa requirement and covers a good lifestyle.
Cuenca has a massive American expat community with English-speaking services.
The average US Social Security payment ($1,900/mo) comfortably exceeds the visa requirement and covers a good lifestyle.
Cuenca has a massive American expat community with English-speaking services.
Ecuador homes across every budget
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