Answer
Spanish is very important: without it, you will quickly become dependent on translators and acquaintances for day-to-day life in Uruguay. You can arrive with little or no Spanish at first, but you need at least a working A2–B1 level to live comfortably and independently.
A translation app on your phone helps in simple situations, but it is a poor substitute for a real conversation at a doctor’s office, with a landlord, at a utility company, or when completing paperwork. A mistake in a date, amount, or contract term can cost time and money.
A practical approach is to learn the language around everyday scenarios: giving your address, healthcare, renting, shopping, booking appointments, and asking someone to repeat more slowly. The sooner you can ask a question yourself and understand the answer, the more smoothly you will adapt.