Chile

"Por la razón o la fuerza" ("Through reason or by force")

overview

Welcome to Chile

Chile, a long, narrow country along South America's Pacific coast, boasts diverse landscapes from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia. Its economy, driven by wine, mining, and tech sectors, is one of the strongest in Latin America.

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Chile Essentials

National Anthem

Himno Nacional de Chile

Independence Day

September 18, 1810

Haiko

Andes touch the sky / Atacama sands stretch far / Easter Island waits

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Tapati Festival on Easter Island with traditional Rapa Nui competitions

Weirdest Local Superstition

Walking under a ladder is bad luck

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to urinate in the sea

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the extremes, stay for the excellence: Chile stretches from desert to Antarctic territory, mirroring its remarkable range of opportunities. Modern cities buzz with entrepreneurial energy while the Andes and Pacific provide nature's grandest playground. The country's stable economy and growing tech sector have inspired forward-thinking visa policies, making it increasingly attractive for digital professionals and investors seeking Latin American opportunities.

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Vamos

Explore a country where 'po' isn't just a word, but the rhythm of life. Your adventure stretches from desert stars to Antarctic ice.

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Bienvenidos a Chile

Home to the Atacama Desert the driest place on Earth where rain is a once-in-a-lifetime event

Chile isn't just a country—it's a geographic poem. Here, time stretches from the desert to the ice fields, and even a simple drive becomes an exercise in nature's extremes. This is a land where impossible landscapes create unforgettable moments.

From the stark beauty of the Atacama Desert to the pristine wilderness of Patagonia, Chile offers discovery for every type of explorer. Whether you're drawn to the wine valleys of Central Chile, the mysterious moai of Easter Island, or the urban sophistication of Santiago, you'll find a country that defies ordinary expectations.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

empanadas de pino (meat-filled pastries) - completo (loaded hot dog with avocado)

Drink

pisco sour (grape brandy cocktail) - borgoña (wine with strawberries)

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Algo para tomar?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

61

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

19

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1.37

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1.28

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Social gatherings center around asados (BBQs)
#2
Personal space is larger than other Latin cultures
#3
Wine knowledge is socially valuable
#4
Political discussions are common and open
#5
Seafood customs vary by region

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Chile Essentials

Representative Novel

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (Multigenerational saga set in Chile)

National Animal

Huemul

National Pasttime

Football (Soccer)

National Souvenir

Lapis lazuli jewelry

National Dish

Pastel de choclo

Famous Festival

Fiestas Patrias

Famous Dance

Cueca

Famous Music

Cueca

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Did You Know?

Home to the world's largest swimming pool

Celebrates Tapati Festival on Easter Island with traditional Rapa Nui competitions

Home to the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth, where rain is a once-in-a-lifetime event

overview

Chile’s Key Historical Events

1,818

April 2014

Chile becomes independent with Bernardo O'Higgins as supreme leader.

1879-84

July 2014

Chile increases its territory by one third after defeating Peru and Bolivia in the War of the Pacific.

1970

February 2015

Salvador Allende becomes the world's first democratically elected Marxist president.

1973

March 2015

General Augusto Pinochet ousts Allende in a coup and establishes a brutal dictatorship.

2020

October 2016

Chileans decide to rewrite the Pinochet-era constitution in a referendum.

MOBILITY

Access Chile Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

1

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Yes
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
5 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

146

Performance Class

World-Class Access

Passport Grade

A

Rank

37

Score

174.7

This visa grants access to:

• 46% of the world's population 

• 79% of UNESCO sites 

• 74% of global GDP 

• 63% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Chile by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Chile
13,478
14,273
15,068
15,039
16,977
18,963
20,810

MOBILITY

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Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

Chile's Global Rankings 

Chile maintains strong regional positioning with affordable living costs (#63) and robust rule of law (#33). Our comprehensive analysis shows solid performance across quality of life metrics with notably pleasant climate (#23).

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
63
Cost of Living
2024
Affordable
53
Quality of Life
2024
Comfortable
64
Safety
2024
Medium
38
Happiness
2024
High
136
Tax Burden
2024
Moderate Load
52
English Proficiency
2023
Moderate Proficiency
33
Rule of Law
2024
Strong
51
Healthcare System
2024
Standard Access
23
Pleasant Climate
2024
Pleasant

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

36.0

years

Life Expectancy

80.3

years

Obesity Rate

28.00%

Tobacco Use

33.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

9.34%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

2.11

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.808

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

30.27%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Public and Private Healthcare Systems

Chile has a dual public and private healthcare system, with public services available to all residents and private options for faster and specialized care.

Universal Access to Healthcare

Chile ensures that all citizens and residents have access to healthcare, with a focus on preventive care and regular health check-ups.

High-Quality Hospitals

Chile is home to some of the best hospitals in Latin America, offering advanced medical care and highly trained specialists.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in Chile can choose between the public and private healthcare systems, with private insurance options available for more personalized care.

Affordable Private Care

Chile's private healthcare system is known for offering high-quality medical services at relatively affordable rates compared to other countries.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

Chile offers a moderate cost of living by South American standards. Santiago is significantly more expensive than other areas. Housing costs in major urban centers can be high, especially in desirable neighborhoods. Food is generally affordable, with local produce being inexpensive. Utilities are reasonably priced. Public transportation in cities is affordable. Education expenses can be significant, especially for private institutions.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.45

per liter

Cost of Meal

$8.77

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$469.77

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$126.47

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$3.29

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

19%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before relocating to Chile, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with its tax system.+Chile taxes residents on their worldwide income while non-residents are taxed only on Chilean-source income at progressive rates ranging from 4% to 35%. Social security contributions are mandatory for employed individuals. A Rol Único Tributario (RUT) is required for tax identification purposes in Chile.+Chile has a double taxation treaty with the United States that helps prevent dual taxation issues for expatriates.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

4%-35%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%-35%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

1%-25%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

25%-27%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

25%-27%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

35%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

4%-35%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

30%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered residents if they remain in the country for six consecutive months in one calendar year or more than six months (consecutive or not) in two consecutive calendar years.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

86

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

75.3

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

34
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

296
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

7

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

57
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Varied climate; desert in north, Mediterranean in central region, cool and damp in south

Average Temperature

9.39 °C

Humidity

72

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,522

mm

Rainless Days per Year

325

Best Time to Travel

October-March

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Chile

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Chile

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Chile?

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What language do they speak in Chile?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Chile with me?

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How can GlobalPassport™ help me move to Chile?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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