Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Good news for expats filing taxes in Ecuador: the SRI has confirmed that its popular simplified tax regime will remain in place through the end of 2026, giving foreign residents continued access to streamlined filing.
Starting mid-April, Avianca will offer daily nonstop service between Quito and Miami, giving expats and travelers yet another convenient link between Ecuador and the US.
Fresh figures from INEC show that Cuenca's registered foreign resident population has climbed to 28,000 -- a 15% year-over-year increase that cements the highland city's status as Ecuador's top expat destination.
Guayaquil's expanded urban security initiative appears to be paying off, with municipal data showing a 30% reduction in street crime across the city's commercial and tourist districts.
Ecuador has jumped to third place in the WHO's Latin America Healthcare Index, trailing only Costa Rica and Chile -- a strong validation for expats who cite affordable medical care as a top reason for relocating.
Once overlooked by foreign buyers, the Pacific coast city of Manta is now one of Ecuador's hottest real estate markets, with beachfront property values climbing 25% in the past year alone.
A bill working its way through Ecuador's legislature would establish a dedicated digital nomad visa with a $1,500 monthly income requirement and a two-year term -- potentially making the country far more accessible for remote workers.
Visiting the Galapagos just got pricier: the national park entry fee for foreign tourists has doubled to $200, though expats with a cedula pay a much lower resident rate of $50.
Riding the success of its first metro line, Quito has greenlit an ambitious $800 million expansion that will add three new routes -- including a direct airport-to-downtown connector that could transform the expat commute.
