On of the very nicest things about this blog is that I am starting to meet people from Uruguay or interested in Uruguay from afar.
During the past month I have had the pleasure of getting to know a gentleman from Switzerland who is moving here and has just gotten his residency approved here. The information I am writing here largely comes from his experience and feedback, before, during and after his visit here (he having decided to enjoy summer in Europe before moving here in time for Spring here when Autumn
falls there).
CELLPHONES: If you are particularly emotionally attached to your cellphone (you must really have a problem), but you can bring it along to Uruguay and use it here, if it is a GSM phone that works on one of the frequencies used here. CAUTION: each of the three cellphone companies uses different frequencies. However, if you insist, you must register it at the airport with customs, either when you arrive or within 48 hours. The fee is 130 pesos or less than US$6.00. With that registration you can buy a local prepaid GSM card with nothing more than your passport and cash.
RESIDENCY: This is pretty straight forward and worked werll for our Swiss friend. The requirements are: a certified birth certificate, a police clearance letter from your local police, and documentation of at least US$500.00 in income. There is also a medical checkup, but the immigration consultant our Swiss friend used tells us that you can even pass the test if you are HIV positive…
The paperwork is a bit of a hassle because your home country documents need to be “legalized” at the nearest Uruguayan Embassy — check with them for their latest rules, and then brought here and translated and re-legalized by the immigration department.
There is also an interview, but you don't have to speak Spanish to get through it. From what I gather, as long as you avow legitimate and reasonable plans for living here, you will get by. I am guessing that affirming a plan to plant a new cell of the Chinese mafia would be less enthusiastically received.
Then you wait.
If things go well you get your cedula or ID card within a few weeks. With it you can go passport free to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile. For the more bloody minded, Paraguay is a must see destination: duels are still permitted if both parties are blood donors…
The first cedula is renewable in a year. The second is good for several years. After 5 years you can become a citizen, for which you must be able to speak Spanish.
Chris and I have just started the process of getting our papers “legalized”–I'll let you know how it goes.
HEALTH INSURANCE: What a winner! This is probably the only civilized country in the world where I am insurable! Somehow a brain tumor, back injuries, and recurring Staph infections scare insurance companies away in other places–obviously not here.
Our staff spoke with several different insurance plans here and while two of them said they probably would NOT insure me, two of them indicated they would do so with some exclusions for previous conditions.
Because you have asked, let me relate to you a few of the costs connected with top level private insurance here through the British Hospital. http://www.hospitalbritanico.org.uy/english/index.htm
Insurance that provides for a private room ranges from US$48-86 per month for an adult.
BUT, the co-payments are equally staggering. US$3.75 for a doctor's consultation or lab work or radiology, a mammography is about US$8.40, MRIs are the biggest expense at US$50.00, an Emergency room visit is US$5.50-7.50, and a home visit costs a whopping US$11.25. Ambulance service is under US$9.00, and you can add a US surgical option for US$10.00 per month with travel benefits at US$5.00 per year.
Prescriptions are half-price at certain pharmacies–almost all of which deliver 24/7/365. And there is a prescription option that costs US$5.50/month which limits your prescription drug copayment to US$5.70.
It might be worth it to move here just for the medical care!!!
NOTE: All of these figures were correct as of the beginning of April 2006.
Taken together, it costs less to live in Uruguay than to eat in Switzerland…
Thanks for this information! My wife and I will plan to come this fall (spring here) to uruguay. I would love to have a beer or bite to eat with you and chris when we come! Regards, Wayne Deo Vindice!
Left by Wayne on June 16th, 2006
David, Do you have an e-mail? Please e-mail me if you do. Best regards, Wayne Kennedy
Left by Wayne K. on June 16th, 2006
How much is the fee for the cedula and the subsequent renewals? What if you are already in Uruguay? Do you have to deal with the embassy via mail?
Left by Debbie on June 18th, 2006
Do you have any idea what dental insurance or costs are? This is a great website for anyone looking for information about Uruguay. I enjoy your perspective.
Left by Hugo on July 3rd, 2006
I am told that the medical insurance plans all include dental care. But we have also found some information specifically on debtal insurance. Please see: http://www.saosegurodental.com/planes/index.php. Please NOTE: I cannot vouch for that site. We will try to get more information.When looking at prices, remember to divide by 24 to get Yankee Dollars. At that rate, the annual plan indicated on this page ios less than USD67.00.
Left by The Southron on July 6th, 2006
Hi.Regarding the Swiss guy that all he had to do was show $500 per month. But is he retirement age? Would that apply to anyone of lower age bracket, mid forties?How about a 22 year old.thanks for claryfingSmily
Left by smily on August 24th, 2006
The current US$500/month rule applies to any adult of any age, retired or otherwise.I personally know people in their twenties who have used that figure.
Left by The Southron on August 24th, 2006
Dear Southron,I found your site interesting, informative and also… humorous(!). My husband and I have become VERY interested in Uruguay. I requested some information from UY Embassy in Washington DC and they said that the monthly income required for the foreigners is $1.500. Could you please comment.Thank you - EL.
Left by Elizabeth on August 29th, 2006
All I can tell you is that both my business partner and I had our papers accepted for U/month, and I personally know another person who has gotten his cedula recently based on the same income.The U figure is an old one.The Southron
Left by The Southron on August 29th, 2006
I believe it is a translation / typing error. I also inquired at the Embassy in Washington and the Consulate in NY about this. They could not explain the disparate amounts, even though the original Spanish text lists the amount at $500 US/month. Maybe the amount is $1,500 US/month for English speaking people and 500 US/month for Spanish speaking people? But that is just silly. All the people on the ground report $500 US/month, and since they are going through the process, they can’t be wrong. Which leads me to believe it is simply a translation error. The Uruguay Embassy in Washington, DChttp://www.uruwashi.org/Consular.htmSpanish Text: d. Rentistas, jubilados y pensionista en el exterior: presentar certificado notarial donde se certifique dicha calidad, concepto de las rentas, monto recibido en Uruguay (mínimo mensual US$ 500 dólares).English translation:e. Persons who live off interest/rents, retirees and pensioners in foreign countries must present a notary public certification indicating their status and monthly incomes he/she will receive in Uruguay (minimum required United States dollars 1.500,00/one thousand five hundred).
Left by Enzo on August 29th, 2006
We were told here by the Foreign Ministry that the English websites were simply not kept as up to date as the Spanish versions. is the old requirement. U is the current requirement. The Southron
Left by The Southron on August 29th, 2006
Just to congratulate you for the blog,it’s really good. From Spain i agree with every single word you said about Uruguay, i use to go there almost every year and i hope to live there in the next future. In my opinion uruguayans may be the most friendly people all around the world. Thanks again for the blog.
Left by juan on August 29th, 2006
Thanks everyone for the clarification on the necessary income. One last question on that. The $500 covers both spouses? or not? How much more each for dependants? Until what age? What if they still live in the house hold?
Left by smily on August 30th, 2006
The definitive answer is that US$500 per month convers an entire family including minor dependents. Legal majority here is 18. I am still checking to see if dependents older than 18 are covered and do not yet have a firm answer.The Southron
Left by The Southron on August 31st, 2006
We are keen to obtain a Permanent Residency in Uruguay, but hardly find any immigration lawyer from internet sources. Does one need to physically live in Uruguay for the five year period before eligible for citizenship?
Left by Kwan Hew on September 28th, 2006
I suggest you contact our immigration consultant about this question. Their contact information is on our sister website at http://www.uruguayliving.info/immigration.htm.
Left by The Southron on September 28th, 2006
What may we bring? I have just received a list from our relocation company, (which they received from Uruvan in Montevideo). Amongst the items we may not bring are; household appliances, small tools and jewelry. Is this the experience of others who have moved to Uruguay?
Our appliances are the same voltage as Uruguay.
Any input will be gladly welcome!
>>The response to your question on the forum (http://www.sociedadsouthron.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=627&hilit=) is much more in line with the information I have been given. Â The relocation company probably checked with the consulate and they are notorious from WRONG INFORMATION more often than not.
–The Southron
Left by Zulu on February 28th, 2007