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Fair and Easy Ecuador Laws Provide

 Visitor, Resident Protection

Ecuador laws are fair and easy and our experience is that Ecuador is definitely open for business! Ecuador laws provide flexibility and protection for visitors and residents alike.

Ecuador real estate laws are favorable to foreigners, requirements for Ecuador visas are not complicated, and tax requirements for U.S. Citizens living in Ecuador are reasonable.

Did you know that foreigners may legally own title to real property and entire companies in Ecuador? Ecuador real estate laws provide equal protections for both foreigners and citizens.  Click here to read about the Real Estate buying process. 

Ecuador real estate laws

That adobe house you’ve been dreaming of can be yours for less than half the cost of a comparable house in the U.S. and less than one-quarter the cost in the UK! This is just one of many reasons to consider living and investing in Ecuador.

Thinking about buying real estate in Ecuador?  Read about our services.

Tourist Visa Requirements are Easy
Residence Visas a bit more Complicated
But No Problem

There are several different types of Ecuador visas to accommodate any visitor. If you plan to stay for less than six months, don’t worry at all. Upon entry in Ecuador you will receive a 90-day tourist visa that can be extended to 180 days, but only if you leave the country to get a renewal.  

If you don't want to do this, but want to stay 180 days, they you need to apply for a 12-IX tourist visa from an Ecuadorian consulate before you leave the U.S.  This will cost around $230 per person.  Be advised that visa rules and enforcement change regularly.  Watch our blog to get up to date information about the latest in visa happenings.  

Ecuador offers permanent resident visas to foreign investors and/or retirees. The Ecuadorian resident visa involves several steps but the process is generally straightforward. The Pro-Ecuador staff has experienced this part of the Ecuador law process many times and is ready to help.

We also recommend  David Beyer, an expat in Quito who has started a legal services company with an Ecuadorian Attorney.  Please write him at deb3069@juno.com, or call toll free at 877-OKECUADOR, 877-653-2823.  Please mention Pro-Ecuador.com when you contact him.  


Living legally in Ecuador is easy and the resident visa is a natural step toward making Ecuador your second home. Be aware, the visa requirements have changed.  You no longer have to remain in Ecuador for a total of nine months out of the year for the first two years. The new regulations state that you must return to Ecuador once every three months for the first two years. If you don't comply with this, when you do come back you can still maintain your visa by getting it re-validated. However, there is a substantial fine if you don't return every three months. We've heard that it is in the neighborhood of $350 - $450.

Would you like to learn more about living in Ecuador?  Read about Pro-Ecuador's Introduction to Ecuador Course and Tour

Tax Requirements are Reasonable
The Foreign Exclusion Deduction for US Citizens
Makes Ecuador a Bargain

Tax requirements for foreigners living in Ecuador are quite reasonable. The Ecuadorian government generates a majority of its tax revenue from a 12% value added tax (IVA). Ecuadorians do not like surprises and this tax is often already included in the total price of goods.

The one exception is in most better hotels and restaurants. Here, a $60 quoted hotel bill quickly becomes $73.20 when the 12% IVA and 10% service charge is added!

Restaurants are required to state clearly on the menu if the tax is not included in the price. Generally, however, most foreigners do not find the IVA tax objectionable because prices for most items are generally so affordable.

Case in point is an incredible little restaurant in Cotacachi where the roses are always fresh, the linens impeccable and the 2-inch-thick Chateaubriand is only $7.84 USD, including IVA!

The Ecuadorian government taxes businesses and individuals only on income earned in Ecuador at a graduated scale up to a maximum of 25%.

While the U.S. requires its citizens living in Ecuador to pay tax on worldwide income, benefits such as the foreign earned income exclusion make living and investing in Ecuador an excellent choice for personal and financial success.

Ecuador income taxes are based only on income earned in country.

Ecuador real estate laws provide an exceptional value to property owners each year in the form of a tax bill. The average property tax rate in Ecuador is only 0.2% of the assessed value!

Since property is very affordable in Ecuador, property tax payments are almost insignificant. This cannot be said about property in either Europe or the United States.

Living legally in Ecuador is easy. Ecuador is open for business.

Ecuador laws are designed to facilitate foreign investment once you understand how to use them to your benefit. Join us as we share how easy it is to invest and prosper in this delightful country!

If you are at all interested in living in Ecuador or investing in real estate in Ecuador, you’re in luck. Get 2 tours for one low price and find out all you need to know about how to wisely invest in Ecuador property. See a wide variety of properties for sale and let us explain the nuances of purchasing real estate in Ecuador.


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