On August 24th a new Presidental Decree was posted that concerns all foreigners residing in Uruguay. The official Decree is posted on the Presidential Departments web-page, in Spanish, as a PDF, found at the following link: http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/_web/decretos/2009/08/EC1320%20.pdf
Although there aren’t too many changes to the process, it is exciting to see that the “carnet de salud” which entitles ones with a low enough income to free health care in public hospitals, is now available to both legal residents and non-resident foreigners. If a foreigner has sufficient means, they wil be enrolled in the “mutualista” program just as Uruguayan foreign nationals.
While many foreigners have been taking advantage of this system for a long time, it is good to Read more
What is the cost of living in Uruguay? Well, for many it depends on where and how they live. What is for certain is that right now 1 US dollar is equal to about 23 Uruguayan pesos, which is better than it was last year.
I found this complete chart the other day on www.from-uruguay.com, and although it is dated September of 2008, nearly a year ago, the information is still pretty accurate.
Relocating to Uruguay and trying to find accurate, up-to-date information on the internet regarding laws and policies can be extremely difficult. Sometimes even the Uruguay government sites and consulate sites can have conflicting information.
From a reliable source, attorney Mark Teuten, we have learned something about bringing household items duty-free. He states:
article 2 of Decree No. 119/004, which regulates Law No. 16.340 states that household goods, in reasonable quantities according to the opinion of the Custom’s authorities, can be brought in free of tax within 6 months of the grant of permanent residence.
Cara are not included in this, and it means only for the first 6 months after you have been approved for your residency, not during Read more
Hooray for Chinese food that is actually somewhat like Chinese food in South America!
As an extensive traveler I have found that Chinese food is actually a staple restaurant in most countries. In that statement, I use the term “Chinese food” quite loosely. What most restaurants serve up (even if you see a Chinese cook in the back) is what residents of the local country think Chinese food should taste like. You can imagine this is pretty frustrating for a Gringo who grew up pointing to items on the menu because the waiter didn’t speak any English.
Gran China, which is located on San Jose 1077 between Rio Negro and Paraguay in Centro actually does real Chinese food. The flavors Read more
If you are debating getting your residency in Uruguay I am here to tell you another benefit of being a resident: if you are working for a Uruguayan company and paying into BPS (social security) then you are entitled to receive health insurance via the government sponsored Health Insurance Plans.
Many who come to Uruguay, work for a Uruguayan company, and have their residency benefit from these plans. The health care is reliable, the insurance actually covers a good deal, and I think you’ll find you are way better taken care of than with some of the health insurance providers in the States.
The only issue with the arrangement of this health insurance is that the directors of Uruguayan corporations Read more
Recently someone wrote me about studying abroad in Uruguay, and since going back to school seems like a pretty popular thing to do at the moment, I decide to write a post about the International Eduaction Programs offered by Universidad ORT Uruguay.
Universidad ORT Uruguay has developed a special semester program for international students who are coming from non-partner universities. To qualify for the program you have to have completed 6 months of Spanish study at your home institution.
The program at ORT includes a Spanish course/workshop – 3 hours per week/ 6 ECTS credits, orientation and academic advisors, and up to 5 regular courses from the programs offered at the University, according to your background and Spanish level.
Almar Uruguay is one of the many companies that will ship your items to Uruguay. The company has been in operation for the last ten years, and serves as a Freight Forwarder and Logistics company.
The Almar Uruguay site is easy to follow, and provides comprehensive information on all their services, enabling you to decide if they are right for you.
Almar Uruguay provides customers with a comprehensive service, taking care of everything as regards to customs and more, whether you ship with them via land, sea or air. Almar Uruguay offers Customs Clearance, Merchandise Insurance, Port Storage Services under a Free Port System, warehousing of merchandise and more.
“Uruguay is the safest country, has the least economic disparity, and the most highly educated population in Latin America,” said David Hammond, a realtor for ParadiseUruguay.com. “It is the second least corrupt country in Latin America, behind Chile; [it also] has good health care, and is one of the most affordable places in the world to live.”
What more can this Gringo tell you? Uruguay is the 5th wealthiest country in Latin America, according to the CIA World Factbook. It has two extremely solid markets in cattle ranching and the meat industry and has seen a healthy economic growth in recent years. Montevideo and Punta del Este are the most popular, and most expensive real estate Read more
This is the last weekend of the 103rd annual Expo Prado rural fair. The agricultural trade show has been going on since Thursday, September the 11th, and runs until Sunday, September 21st. The fair is open everyday from 8 am to 8 pm, and gives an interesting look at the rural way of life in Uruguay.
Held in Montevideo, the cattle and agricultural fair draws people from across the country to the capital city. It is a general trades fair for capital and consumer goods.
The fair is being held at the Predio del Prado and has been organized by the Asociacion Rural del Uruguay.
Currently there is no personal tax income and no personal capital gains tax
Outside income is not taxed
IVI, the Uruguayan sales tax is 23%. IVI is always included in the price of the product.
Import taxes are high: Packages over US $50 are assessed a 60% import tax
Employment taxes for health and pension are also high
Property taxes are low. (In Montevideo they are approx. US $15 quarterly.
Basically, the country is supported by the sales tax and the high import tax. Companies are also required to pay income tax.
Currently the government is working to make significant changes to the tax laws. The process of Read more
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