Living in Uruguay: the short version
Uruguay is one of South America’s safest, most stable and least corrupt countries, with a relaxed pace of life and good infrastructure. New residents can opt for an 11-year tax holiday on most foreign income, though prices are high for the region.
Best for: Retirees, remote workers and investors who value stability and a calm lifestyle.
Why people move here
- Political and economic stability
- Tax holiday on foreign income for new residents
- Simple, low-cost digital nomad permit
What to watch out for
- Expensive for South America
- Small job market
- Cool, damp winters
How to move to Uruguay: main visa and residency routes
Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.
- Digital nomad permit
- A low-cost provisional permit valid for 180 days, renewable once, for remote workers with foreign income.
- Temporary and permanent residence
- Residence based on stable income, work or family, applied for at the national migration office.
- MERCOSUR residence
- Simplified residence for citizens of MERCOSUR and associated countries.
Healthcare for newcomers
Residents typically join a mutualista, a private non-profit health cooperative with affordable monthly fees. The public ASSE system is free but more limited.
Cost of Living
Cost of living index: 48 (NYC = 100)
Rent (1BR)
$600
Rent (3BR)
$1000
Groceries
$330
Transport
$50
Utilities
$140
Internet
$40
Dining Out
$120
Tax System
Corporate Tax
25%
VAT / Sales Tax
22%
Social Security
18%
Capital Gains
12%
Income Tax Brackets
| Income Range (USD) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $12,000 | 0% |
| $12,001 - $17,000 | 10% |
| $17,001 - $26,000 | 15% |
| $26,001 - $52,000 | 24% |
| $52,001 - $87,000 | 25% |
| $87,001 - $131,000 | 27% |
| $131,001 - $200,000 | 31% |
| $200,001 - Above | 36% |
Culture
Uruguay is a small, stable and progressive South American democracy with relaxed beach towns, a laid-back capital on the River Plate and a deep love of football, mate tea and barbecue.
Traditions
- Carnival, the world’s longest (about 40 days)
- Candombe drumming
- Sunday asados
- Semana de Turismo (Easter week)
Cultural Values
- Equality
- Calm and moderation
- Family and friends
- Secularism
Common Greeting: ¡Hola! / ¿Todo bien?
Cultural Tips
- • Uruguayans carry a thermos and mate everywhere
- • Greet friends with one cheek kiss, including men
- • Dinner is late, often after 9pm
- • Football is a national passion
🍽 Food & Cuisine
Uruguayan food centres on grass-fed beef cooked over wood fire, with Italian and Spanish influences in pasta, pizza and pastries.
Asado
Wood-fired barbecue of beef cuts, sausages and offal
Chivito
Steak sandwich with ham, cheese, egg and mayonnaise, the national sandwich
Dulce de leche
Caramelised milk spread used in countless desserts
Mate
Bitter herbal tea shared from a gourd through a metal straw
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 Uruguay 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
$18,000
Job Difficulty
Moderate
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Work Permit Required
Yes
Top Industries
Languages
Official Languages