Peru
Lima, South America
Living in Peru: the short version
Peru combines Andean mountains, Amazon rainforest, Pacific coast and one of the world’s great food scenes at low cost. Retirees with a pension can use the indefinite Rentista visa, but Peru’s announced digital nomad visa is still not operational.
Best for: Retirees with a pension, food lovers, Spanish learners and adventure travellers.
Why people move here
- Low cost of living
- World-class food, culture and landscapes
- Rentista visa with indefinite validity for pensioners
What to watch out for
- Digital nomad visa announced but not yet available
- Petty crime and political instability
- Lima is grey and humid for half the year
How to move to Peru: main visa and residency routes
Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.
- Rentista visa
- For people with permanent passive income such as a pension of at least US$1,000 a month; remote-work income does not count.
- Worker visa
- For employees with a Peruvian employment contract approved by the labour ministry.
- Independent worker visa
- For self-employed professionals with Peruvian clients.
- Family residence
- For spouses and children of Peruvian citizens.
Healthcare for newcomers
Expats rely on private clinics in Lima, such as Clínica Anglo Americana, and private insurance. Public EsSalud care is available to formal employees but is often crowded.
Cost of Living
Cost of living index: 30 (NYC = 100)
Rent (1BR)
$450
Rent (3BR)
$850
Groceries
$200
Transport
$30
Utilities
$60
Internet
$30
Dining Out
$70
Tax System
Corporate Tax
29.5%
VAT / Sales Tax
18%
Social Security
13%
Capital Gains
5%
Income Tax Brackets
| Income Range (USD) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $7,333 | 8% |
| $7,334 - $29,333 | 14% |
| $29,334 - $51,333 | 17% |
| $51,334 - $66,000 | 20% |
| $66,001 - Above | 30% |
Culture
Peru was the heart of the Inca Empire and remains one of the most culturally rich countries in the Americas, with Andean, Amazonian and coastal traditions, Machu Picchu and one of the world’s most celebrated food scenes.
Traditions
- Inti Raymi sun festival in Cusco
- Candelaria festival in Puno
- Fiestas Patrias (28–29 July)
- Señor de los Milagros processions
Cultural Values
- Family
- Faith
- Pride in heritage
- Community
Common Greeting: ¡Hola! / ¡Buenos días!
Cultural Tips
- • Allow time to acclimatise to altitude in Cusco and Puno
- • Lima is foggy and grey from June to October
- • Tap water is not safe to drink
- • Bargaining is normal in markets, not in shops
🍽 Food & Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine is often ranked among the world’s best, mixing Indigenous ingredients with Spanish, Chinese (chifa) and Japanese (Nikkei) influences.
Ceviche
Raw fish cured in lime juice with chilli and red onion, the national dish
Lomo saltado
Stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes and fries, a chifa classic
Ají de gallina
Shredded chicken in a creamy yellow chilli sauce
Pisco sour
Grape brandy cocktail with lime, egg white and bitters
Sources and methodology
Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on . Found something out of date? Tell us.
Official Peru sources
Data sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — individual income tax
- Numbeo — cost of living (crowdsourced prices)
- World Bank Open Data — economic and population indicators
- OECD Tax Database — tax rates and social contributions
- ILOSTAT — employment and unemployment
- UNDP Human Development Reports — health and education
- UN World Population Prospects — population
Quality of Life
Job Market
Average Annual Salary
$7,500
Job Difficulty
Difficult
Unemployment Rate
6%
Work Permit Required
Yes
Top Industries
Languages
Official Languages