Passport for Affluent Retirees

Uruguay has Law 16.340 and Decree 119/004, which provide migration benefits for wealthy pensioners.

What conditions must the applicant meet:

1. Be officially recognized as retired. The certificate from the national pension fund must be apostilled and translated in Uruguay by an accredited translator.
2. Have a monthly income of at least $1,500 from a pension and other types of income earned outside Uruguay. The income must be documented by a notary in Uruguay.
3. Either purchase real estate in Uruguay (a house or apartment) worth at least $100,000, subject to a 10-year restriction on its sale, or purchase government securities worth $100,000 and place them in the national depository for 10 years without the right to early withdrawal.

Confirmed by a notarial certificate.

What benefits does an affluent retiree receive:

1. The right to import personal effects into Uruguay duty-free in quantities appropriate for personal use.
2. The right to import a personal car once, subject to a 4-year restriction on its sale.
3. Get a Uruguayan passport for yourself, your spouse and minor children.

Restrictions: the applicant is not entitled to engage in commercial activities or receive remuneration, except for remuneration awarded by a court.

Application process:

1. Apply to Migración for permanent residence (residencia legal definitiva) in accordance with its requirements.
2. Apply for benefits in accordance with Law 16.340 and Decree 119/004.

Government service: Beneficio para Extranjeros Jubilados que Obtengan Residencia Permanente.

1. Get permanent residency.
2. Obtain a passport for a permanent resident of Uruguay.

IMPORTANT: Uruguay issues a passport (a travel document) that will state the applicant’s citizenship, and the notes will state that the passport holder has permanent residence in Uruguay.

Under this program, Uruguay does NOT grant citizenship.