Mexico

"La Patria es Primero" ("The Homeland is First")

overview

Welcome to Mexico

Mexico: "Mexico, a country rich in history and culture, is known for its diverse landscapes from deserts to jungles. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, oil, and tourism. Mexico’s cultural heritage, including its cuisine and ancient civilizations, continues to attract visitors and expatriates.",

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Mexico Essentials

National Anthem

Himno Nacional Mexicano

Independence Day

September 16, 1810

Haiko

Chichen Itza looms / Mariachi bands play on / Day of the Dead calls

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Night of the Radishes carving scenes from radishes in Oaxaca

Weirdest Local Superstition

Breaking a piñata brings good luck

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to name your child "Facebook"

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the culture, stay for the community: Mexico weaves ancient traditions with modern opportunities across its varied landscapes. Life flows between colonial city cafes and coastal co-working spaces, while weekends might mean pyramid exploration or pueblo hopping. Recent digital nomad initiatives and friendly visa policies have made Mexico's rich lifestyle increasingly accessible to global professionals.

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Vámonos

Enter a land where 'ahorita' isn't just a moment, but life's endless possibilities. Here, ancient wisdom guides modern dreams.

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Bienvenidos a Mexico

Famous for its Day of the Dead celebrations where honoring ancestors is a vibrant and colorful affair

Mexico isn't just a country—it's a feast for all senses. Here, time moves between ancient pyramids and modern art, and even a simple market visit becomes an explosion of colors, flavors, and sounds. This is a land where tradition and celebration are daily rituals.

From the coral reefs of the Riviera Maya to the desert canyons of Copper Canyon, Mexico offers adventure for every type of explorer. Whether you're drawn to the colonial splendor of San Miguel de Allende, the culinary scenes of Oaxaca, or the beach life of Los Cabos, you'll find a country where every moment is infused with passionate intensity.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

tacos al pastor (marinated pork tacos) - mole poblano (chocolate chili sauce)

Drink

tequila (agave spirit) - horchata (rice drink)

overview

Algo para tomar?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

78

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.66

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.01

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Sobremesa (after-meal conversation) can last hours - leaving early is rude
#2
La Mordida birthday tradition requires face in cake
#3
Arriving 30-45 minutes late to social events is expected
#4
Virgin of Guadalupe imagery requires respectful acknowledgment
#5
Tequila has specific serving and drinking rituals by region

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Mexico Essentials

Representative Novel

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (Novel set in a ghostly Mexican town)

National Animal

Golden eagle

National Pasttime

Football (Soccer)

National Souvenir

Talavera pottery

National Dish

Mole poblano

Famous Festival

Día de los Muertos

Famous Dance

Jarabe Tapatío

Famous Music

Mariachi

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Did You Know?

Mexico is home to the world's smallest volcano.

The Cuexcomate volcano in Puebla stands at just 43 feet tall, making it the smallest volcano in the world.

Mexico introduced chocolate, chilies, and corn to the world.

These three essential ingredients in global cuisine have their origins in Mexico, where they were first cultivated by ancient civilizations.

There are 68 Recognised Languages in Mexico

Whilst Spanish is the defacto native language, spoken by over 90% of the population, Mexico does not have an official language and there are 68 recognised languages, of which 63 are indigenous.

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Mexico’s Key Historical Events

1,325

April 2014

Founding of Tenochtitlán

1521

July 2014

Fall of Tenochtitlán to Hernán Cortés

1810

February 2015

Start of the Mexican War of Independence

1910

March 2015

Mexican Revolution begins

2000

October 2016

End of PRI’s 71-year rule in Mexico

MOBILITY

Access Mexico Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Yes
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
2 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
5
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years, 3 or 6 years optional, 3 years for children

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

136

Performance Class

Global Contender

Passport Grade

B+

Rank

54

Score

146.2

This visa grants access to:

• 35% of the world's population 

• 71% of UNESCO sites 

• 43% of global GDP 

• 41% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Mexico by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Mexico
,,
,,
,,
,,
30200%
317
317

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

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

28.9

years

Life Expectancy

75.3

years

Obesity Rate

28.90%

Tobacco Use

17.20%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

6.08%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

0.99

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.441

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

41.37%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Dual Healthcare System

Mexico offers a dual healthcare system, with public hospitals providing affordable care and private healthcare offering faster access to treatments.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates living in Mexico can access both public and private healthcare services, with many opting for private insurance for quicker access.

Private Healthcare Excellence

Mexico's private healthcare system is highly regarded, offering state-of-the-art facilities and well-trained doctors, particularly in urban areas.

Affordable Medical Services

Healthcare in Mexico is affordable compared to many Western countries, making it a popular destination for medical tourism.

Pharmaceutical Availability

Pharmaceuticals are widely available in Mexico at affordable prices, with many medications accessible over the counter in pharmacies.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

Mexico offers a low to moderate cost of living, varying significantly between tourist areas and local communities. Popular expat and tourist destinations like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta are more expensive than inland cities. Housing costs range from very affordable in local areas to premium prices in tourist zones. Food is generally inexpensive, especially local produce and street food. Utilities are moderately priced, with air conditioning being a significant expense in hot regions. Public transportation is cheap but can be crowded and unreliable in some areas. Education costs vary widely between public and private institutions.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.22

per liter

Cost of Meal

$9.17

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$620.35

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$61.58

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$2.29

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

16%

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 Mexico's tax system is essential before relocating there.+Mexico taxes resident expats on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Mexican-source income. Income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 1.92% to 35%. Social security contributions are required, and property tax applies. For tax purposes, individuals need a Registro Federal de Contribuyentes (RFC).+Mexico has a double taxation treaty with the United States to prevent dual taxation issues.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

Yes

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

2%-35%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

10%-35%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

30%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

25%-30%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

10%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

4.9%-35%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

5%-35%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if they establish a home in Mexico or if their center of vital interests is located in Mexico (more than 50% of income from Mexican sources or Mexico is the primary place of professional activities).

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

120

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

65.8

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

55.1
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

240.5
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

6

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

40.5
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Varied; from tropical to desert

Average Temperature

21.31 °C

Humidity

60

%

Average Annual Precipitation

758

mm

Rainless Days per Year

245

Best Time to Travel

November-April

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Mexico

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

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Mexico?

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Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for residency or citizenship in Mexico?

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

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Mexico?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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