Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Results for “2026”Clear
Ecuador recorded 3,485 violent deaths from January through May 2026, while Quito’s recent alerts have centered more on explosives, intimidation, and microtrafficking.
Ecuador’s e-commerce market exceeded USD 7 billion in 2025 as faster delivery, payment options, and marketplace logistics turned online buying into a permanent habit.
Ecuador’s social security system had 3.6 million active affiliates as of May 2026, up more than 102,000 from a year earlier. The useful part for expats is understanding the difference between dependent, independent, voluntary, domestic-work, and youth affiliation.
At least 460 hospitals and health centers are located in Ecuador parishes under yellow alert for El Nino. Most are small health centers, and the risk list is concentrated heavily in Manabi and Guayas.
Spain’s housing prices rose about 14% in the first quarter of 2026, and Ecuadorian migrants are concentrated in several of the pressured markets. Madrid alone has around 130,000 Ecuadorian residents.
Guayaquil’s ATM is offering staged discounts for July vehicle technical review appointments tied to plates ending in 6. The discount falls from 20% to 10% as the July 15 cutoff approaches.
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.
Interprovincial buses were operating normally Friday morning after Fenacotip called off its planned July 3 stoppage. Travelers should still watch the fare talks now moving to technical tables with ANT.
Ecuador’s tax authority began a new RIMPE recategorization process on July 1. Small-business owners should check their RUC status because category changes can bring new tax obligations.
IESS transferred more than $63 million to 195 private health providers in June 2026, with Azuay, Guayas and Pichincha among the provinces highlighted. The payments are part of more than $616 million sent to external providers since December 2025.
Ecuador’s 2026 vehicle-registration calendar moves to plates ending in 6 during July. Owners should check local transit-agency portals, pay pending values and complete technical review before the month ends.
Workers in Ecuador’s Sierra and Amazon regions who chose accumulated payment should receive the decimo cuarto salary by August 15, 2026. The benefit equals the 2026 unified basic salary of $482 for workers who qualify for the full period.
