Ecuador

"Dios, patria y libertad" ("God, homeland, and freedom")

overview

Welcome to Ecuador

Ecuador, straddling the equator on South America's west coast, is known for its biodiversity, including the famous Galápagos Islands. Its economy is based on agriculture, oil, and tourism, reflecting its natural and cultural wealth.

overview

Ecuador Essentials

National Anthem

Salve, Oh Patria

Independence Day

August 10, 1809

Haiko

Equator's midpoint / Galapagos turtles roam / Andes condors soar

Interesting Tradition

Holds the Diablada de Píllaro where people dress as colorful devils and dance in the streets

Weirdest Local Superstition

Eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to run out of gas on highways

overview

Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the diversity, stay for the discovery: Ecuador packs remarkable variety into its compact geography, from Andean peaks to Galapagos shores. Daily life might include morning markets in colonial squares, afternoon meetings in modern coworking spaces, and weekend escapes to cloud forests. Recent legislation welcoming digital nomads and retirees, combined with a dollar-based economy, has made embracing Ecuadorian living increasingly accessible.

overview

Vamos

Explore a land where 'altura' isn't just elevation, but a perspective on possibility. Your story spans from Andean peaks to Galápagos shores.

overview

Bienvenidos a Ecuador

Home to the Galápagos Islands where evolution is a daily occurrence

Ecuador isn't just a country—it's a world in miniature. Here, time shifts between four worlds: coast, highlands, jungle, and islands, and even a simple day trip can cross multiple ecosystems. This is a land where diversity becomes art.

From the evolutionary wonders of the Galápagos to the snow-capped volcanoes of the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Ecuador offers discovery for every nature enthusiast. Whether you're drawn to the colonial charm of Quito, the indigenous markets of Otavalo, or the Amazon mysteries of Yasuní, you'll find a country that packs Earth's greatest hits into one compact package.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

locro de papa (potato soup with cheese) - ceviche (seafood in citrus)

Drink

chicha (fermented corn drink) - canelazo (spiced cinnamon drink)

overview

Bebidas?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

36

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.01

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.06

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Highland vs coastal customs differ greatly
#2
Panama hat tradition is respected
#3
Volcano awareness shapes culture
#4
Indigenous market etiquette matters
#5
Cuy (guinea pig) customs show respect

overview

Ecuador Essentials

Representative Novel

The Old Man Who Read Love Stories by Luis Sepúlveda (Novel set in the Ecuadorian jungle)

National Animal

Andean Condor

National Pasttime

Football (Soccer)

National Souvenir

Panama hat

National Dish

Encebollado

Famous Festival

Inti Raymi

Famous Dance

Pasacalle

Famous Music

Pasillo

overview

Did You Know?

You can balance an egg on a nail here during the equinox

Holds the Diablada de Píllaro where people dress as colorful devils and dance in the streets

Home to the Galápagos Islands where evolution is a daily occurrence

overview

Ecuador’s Key Historical Events

1,830

April 2014

Ecuador secedes from Gran Colombia and becomes an independent republic.

1941

July 2014

War with Peru over disputed Amazonian territories.

1979

February 2015

Return to civilian rule after years of military dictatorship.

2000

March 2015

Ecuador adopts the US dollar as its official currency to stabilize the economy.

2008

October 2016

New constitution approved, declaring Ecuador a plurinational state.

MOBILITY

Access Ecuador Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

2

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Yes
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
4 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
3
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

82

Performance Class

Emerging Explorer

Passport Grade

C

Rank

99

Score

67.1

This visa grants access to:

• 44% of the world's population 

• 31% of UNESCO sites 

• 32% of global GDP 

• 47% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Ecuador by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Ecuador
8,033
6,306
4,603
4,871
5,176
5,397
5,488

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

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

Ecuador's Global Rankings 

Ecuador presents affordable living conditions (#83) and a pleasant climate (#31). While facing some challenges our analysis covers its performance across key economic and lifestyle indicators.

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
83
Cost of Living
2024
Affordable
69
Quality of Life
2024
Standard
130
Safety
2024
Low
74
Happiness
2024
Average
121
Tax Burden
2024
Moderate Load
80
English Proficiency
2023
Low Proficiency
96
Rule of Law
2024
Weak
82
Healthcare System
2024
Basic Coverage
31
Pleasant Climate
2024
Pleasant

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

28.4

years

Life Expectancy

77.1

years

Obesity Rate

22.30%

Tobacco Use

10.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

8.29%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.3

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.2

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

30.62%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Universal Healthcare System

Ecuador has a universal healthcare system offering free or low-cost medical services to citizens and residents through its public hospitals.

Private Healthcare Options

In addition to public services, Ecuador's private healthcare system provides high-quality medical care at a fraction of the cost in Western countries.

Medical Tourism Destination

Ecuador is a growing destination for medical tourism, with affordable, high-quality care attracting patients from around the world.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in Ecuador can access both the public healthcare system and private hospitals, with many opting for private insurance to cover costs.

Affordable Medications

Pharmaceuticals are readily available and affordable in Ecuador, with most medications accessible without a prescription.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

Ecuador offers a low cost of living, making it attractive for retirees and digital nomads. Quito and Cuenca, popular expat destinations, are more expensive than other areas but still affordable by international standards. Housing costs are low, even in desirable areas. Food, especially local produce, is very inexpensive. Utilities are reasonably priced. Public transportation is cheap and widely available in cities. Private education can be costly compared to the overall low cost of living.

Cost of Gasoline

$0.65

per liter

Cost of Meal

$3.50

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$341.65

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$47.21

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$2.00

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

12%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Understanding Ecuador's tax system is crucial before relocating there.+Ecuador imposes taxes on resident expatriates based on their worldwide income while non-residents pay taxes only on Ecuadorian-source income at progressive rates ranging from 5% to 37%. Social security contributions are required. Property taxes also apply; individuals must obtain Registro Único de Contribuyentes (RUC) numbers for compliance purposes in Ecuador which does not have a double taxation treaty with the United States.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

No

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

5%-37%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%-10%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%-35%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

22%-28%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

10%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

0%-10%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

0%-25%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

0%-37%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if their presence in Ecuador is greater than 183 days, including sporadic absences, calendar or not, consecutive or not, within the same fiscal year (or in a 12-month time period within two fiscal years).

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

147

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

58.6

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

34.4
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

664
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

8

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

49.5
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations

Average Temperature

21.43 °C

Humidity

73

%

Average Annual Precipitation

2,274

mm

Rainless Days per Year

263

Best Time to Travel

June-September

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Ecuador

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

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Ecuador?

Plus icon

What language do they speak in Ecuador?

Plus icon

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

Plus icon

How can GlobalPassport™ help me move to Ecuador?

Plus icon

Can I keep my own citizenship?

Plus icon

overview

Mobility Asset Articles

No items found.