Uruguay’s main card

The Prex (Mastercard) card is the main financial tool for immigrants during their initial period in Uruguay. It is a prepaid card that does not require you to open a traditional bank account but lets you make all necessary online and offline payments.

## Main features and benefits

• Free maintenance: the card has no monthly account-management fees.
• Two currencies: the card works simultaneously in Uruguayan pesos and US dollars, with a favourable conversion rate directly within the app.
• Payment convenience: the card supports contactless payments and is accepted wherever the Mastercard network operates. It is suitable for paying for local and international services (Uber, Airbnb, Booking, Apple ID), including through MercadoPago.
• Integration with services: the card can be linked to the Abitab app for quick online payment of utilities. The Prex app also includes tools for cryptocurrency investment.
• Withdrawals: the platform offers favourable terms and quick withdrawals from PayPal and Payoneer accounts.
• Transfers: instant transfers between Prex users are available, as well as sending funds to accounts at Uruguayan banks.
• Prex Argentina: a second virtual card in Argentine pesos can be issued directly in the app. Conversion to it from the main balance is made at an MEP rate favourable to foreigners, making trips to Buenos Aires exceptionally economical.

Important features and limits

When using the card, it is important to take Uruguay’s fintech monitoring rules into account.

• Cumulative limit of USD 15,000: accounts registered with a foreign passport have an overall restriction. Once the total of all top-ups over the lifetime of the card reaches USD 15,000, incoming transactions will be blocked.
• How to remove the restriction: you need to email support documents confirming the lawful origin of funds (an employment contract, tax returns, statements).
• Transaction limits: the single-transaction limit for a top-up or transfer is USD 9,800–10,000. The limit for withdrawal from PayPal or Payoneer is USD 2,000 per day and USD 3,000 per month.
• Cash withdrawal: at Abitab or Redpagos cash desks you can withdraw up to USD 1,000 per day. At cash machines the limit is more modest, usually about USD 300 (or the peso equivalent) at one time, depending on the particular bank’s rules.
• Fee for small top-ups: adding cash to the card is free, but when topping up at a cash desk with less than 500 pesos (or USD 50), Abitab charges a small operating fee.
• Regional account settings: to link Prex to Uber or the App Store, it may be necessary to change the region in those services’ settings to Uruguay or create new profiles using a local SIM card.

Step-by-step process for obtaining the card

1. Download the official Prex Uruguay mobile app to your smartphone.
2. Open the app and select Solicitar mi tarjeta.
3. Complete the questionnaire with your identity-document details and local SIM-card number.
4. Upload photographs of the document. If you use a foreign passport, skip the in-app instant photo step, choose the alternative upload method and add a high-quality photo taken in advance from your device's gallery. All details on the main spread must be clearly legible, and the page edges must be visible.
5. Wait for confirmation of issuance. The notification will arrive in the app, by SMS or WhatsApp.
6. Go to the nearest large Abitab branch, pay the fixed fee for issuing the physical card and collect it. It is better to choose main branches because smaller outlets sometimes run out of blank cards.

Critically important rule: if the card’s Uruguayan-peso balance runs out, the system automatically debits the dollar account but processes the transaction at an extremely unfavourable internal rate. Always convert currency inside the app yourself and well in advance. After obtaining a local cédula, be sure to update your personal data in the Prex profile to upgrade your account status.