News

Latest Ecuador News for Expats

Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.

All Breaking Politics Economy Visa & Immigration Safety Lifestyle Real Estate Healthcare Culture

All Regions Quito Cuenca Guayaquil Coast Vilcabamba Amazon Galápagos National

Expat Ecuador Rentals

Visiting or settling in?

Short-term stays and long-term homes in Ecuador.

Short-term stays Long-term rentals List a property

real estate

SRI Offers 12 Properties and Nine Vehicles in September Auctions

Ecuador’s tax authority will offer 12 properties and nine vehicles during September 2026 remate and subasta processes. Buyers must understand the qualification, deposit, payment, and title-transfer rules before participating.

Chip Moreno·September 3, 2026

real estate

Ecuador’s Shopping-Center Pipeline Reaches USD 400 Million

At least 10 large shopping-center projects are in development in Ecuador, with estimated investment of USD 400 million and more than 750,000 square meters of additional leasable area under construction. The pipeline includes Mall del Alto in Cuenca and projects on the coast and near Quito.

Chip Moreno·August 26, 2026

real estate

BIESS Says Credicasa Housing Loans Have Passed USD 53 Million

The Ecuadorian Social Security Bank says it has disbursed more than USD 53.69 million through Credicasa to more than 1,030 families. The program advertises a 2.99% preferential rate for eligible affiliates and retirees, with qualifying disbursements potentially taking 30–45 days.

Chip Moreno·August 12, 2026

real estate

Mortgage Lending in Ecuador Rose 44% in the First Half of 2026

Private financial institutions disbursed USD 734 million in mortgage loans between January and June, while Biess placed another USD 263 million. Combined housing finance reached USD 997 million for the first half of the year.

Chip Moreno·August 7, 2026

real estate

Eternit Is Preparing USD 22,000 Industrialized Homes for Ecuador

Eternit plans to launch 57-square-meter homes priced between USD 22,000 and USD 25,000 by the end of 2026. The project arrives as Ecuador’s housing credit portfolio grows 6.1% annually.

Chip Moreno·August 5, 2026

real estate

Ecuador Starts Reporting Rules for Property Transactions of USD 10,000 or More

A rule that took effect on August 3 requires registrars to verify payment details for qualifying transactions and moves larger obligations toward financial-system payment methods.

Chip Moreno·August 4, 2026

real estate

BIESS Credicasa Loan Requires A 650 Credit Score

BIESS says its Credicasa housing loan requires a minimum credit score of 650, with financing of up to USD 65,000 for a first new home and a maximum term of 30 years.

Chip Moreno·July 29, 2026

real estate

Report Says Only 30% Of Ecuador Buildings Meet Anti-Seismic Standard

A new report warns that only 30% of buildings in Ecuador comply with anti-seismic construction standards. The risk is tied to weak enforcement, informal construction and geological faults, especially in large cities such as Quito and Guayaquil.

Chip Moreno·July 21, 2026

real estate

Ecuador Debates Rental-Deposit Reform As Tenants Report Guarantee Problems

Ecuador’s Assembly is debating tenancy-law changes that would set maximum limits and a return mechanism for rental guarantees, a practical issue for expats signing leases.

Chip Moreno·July 11, 2026

real estatequito

Quito Valley Cantonization Poll Shows 67 Percent Support In Nine Parishes

A Click Research poll says 67% support creating a new canton from nine Quito valley parishes, with insecurity leading the local problem list.

Chip Moreno·July 7, 2026

real estate

Ecuador Raises VIS Housing Subsidy Values Under Decree 441

Ecuador issued Decree 441 on July 3, raising maximum values for certain social-interest housing categories. The change matters for buyers and developers watching subsidized housing, preferential mortgages, and lower-cost home inventory.

Chip Moreno·July 4, 2026

real estate

BIESS Updates Housing Platform With Project Search and Mortgage Simulator

BIESS has modernized InmoBiess, a web platform where affiliates and retirees can review qualified housing projects and estimate mortgage payments. The tool includes projects by city, price and number of bedrooms, but it does not replace the formal credit evaluation.

Chip Moreno·June 24, 2026