Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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Quito's Property Registry says payment orders for 20 registry procedures and certificates can now be generated automatically in about 20 minutes. The same step previously took 24 to 48 hours, and payment orders are valid for eight days.
Ecuador launched a national policy for 2026-2035 to reduce adolescent pregnancy, keep girls in school and coordinate health, education and social services. The country records more than 32,200 births each year among girls and adolescents ages 10-19.
Executive Decree 398 reforms Ecuador's tax-regulation framework to update identification, marking, authentication and fiscal traceability controls. SRI will implement and control the marking system for selected taxpayers, goods and services.
Primicias reports Quito's AMT will exonerate the calendar fine for vehicles with license plates ending in 4 after ANT and municipal system failures. Owners can complete technical review and matriculation through November 2026 without that sanction.
El Mercurio reports 13,689 Ecuadorians obtained Spanish nationality in 2025. Ecuador led the country list for the fourth consecutive year, ahead of Venezuela, Morocco and Colombia.
Three Ecuadorian nationals are among the first group of 15 migrants sent from the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo, arriving in Kinshasa on April 17, 2026. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry confirms they are housed in a hotel 'in good condition.' The arrangement is described as temporary, with permits lasting 6 to 12 months.
Ecuador's government takes formal possession of the country's largest hydroelectric project today, ending a decade of refused acceptance over 17,661 documented fissures. China's PowerChina takes over operation and maintenance at $46M/year for 25 years. Here's what the deal contains and what it means for the country's power supply.
Ecuador's Armed Forces have inspected 663 of the country's 1,130 licensed private security firms so far, part of an escalating weapons-control campaign triggered by evidence that private security arsenals have been feeding organized crime. A January 2026 raid on a Los Lagartos-linked firm recovered 200+ weapons with altered serial numbers.
Ecuador's online-only visa system, mandatory since December 15, 2025, has pushed processing times to 4-5 months across most visa categories. Pensioner and Rentista visas now require $1,458/month in income, Digital Nomad $1,446/month, and Investment visas $48,200 in capital. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
Friday April 3 is a mandatory national holiday in Ecuador. Banks are closed through Sunday, government offices shut down, but supermarkets and pharmacies stay open. President Noboa's VAT reduction to 8% on tourism services kicks in for the long weekend.
The UAE and Ecuador signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi's visit, unlocking over $3 billion in investment across clean energy, digital infrastructure, mining, logistics, and agriculture. Ecuador becomes the fourth Latin American country with a UAE trade deal.
Ecuador's Semana Santa holiday runs April 3-5 with Good Friday as a national holiday. Banks and government offices close, IVA drops to 8% for tourism, and major processions take place across Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Riobamba. Here's your practical guide.
