Residence in Chile
A complete guide to residency in Chile for Italian citizens. Chile, the only Latin American country in the OECD, offers temporary residency with subcategories for workers, investors, retirees, and family reunification (Decree 177/2022). Progressive worldwide taxation with rates ranging from 4% to 40%. On this page: residency subcategories, requirements, documents, the 5-step procedure, taxation, citizenship, regional comparisons, and FAQs.
A Guide to Residency in Chile: Visas, Fees, and Citizenship (Updated 2026)
Residency in Chile for Italians is an increasingly popular option thanks to the country's economic and institutional stability, its high human development index, and the presence of an active Double Taxation Treaty (DTC) with Italy. Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, extends along the western coast of South America for over 4,300 kilometers. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the South Pole (Chilean Antarctic Territory) to the south. Its capital is Santiago, its official currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP), and the population exceeds 19.5 million.
Chile's economy is among the strongest and most open in Latin America. Chile is the only South American member of the OECD , a member of the Pacific Alliance and APEC , and has free trade agreements with over 60 countries, including the European Union, the United States, China, and Japan. The country is the world's leading copper producer and a major exporter of lithium, wine, fruit, and salmon.
We work with a law firm in Chile and coordinate the entire process, from preparing the documents in Italy to issuing the Identity Card for Foreigners and the Permanent Residence Certificate at the SERMIG (National Migration Service).
Why Chile is a strategic destination for residence
- DTC Treaty with Italy — Active agreement that avoids double taxation on pensions, dividends, interest, and royalties.
- OECD Member — The only South American country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- Top Human Development Index — First in Latin America for HDI, quality of life, and institutional transparency.
- Open and stable economy — Over 60 free trade agreements. Low inflation and an investment-grade sovereign rating.
- No company required — Most visas do not require you to open a company.
- Dual citizenship recognized — Chile allows dual citizenship to all naturalized citizens.
- Citizenship in 5 years — after 5 years of residence (temporary + permanent), you can apply for naturalization.
- Excellent healthcare system — FONASA (public) and ISAPRE (private) with European-level clinics.
Service Details
| Voice | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of service | Temporary residence (valid for up to 2 years) → Permanent residence (permanent) |
| Village | Chile 🇨🇱 |
| Total price | Upon request (variable based on the migration subcategory) |
| What's included | Full legal assistance, filing with SERMIG, certified translations, official taxes and fees |
| General requirements | Valid passport (+6 months), apostilled criminal record, proof of income or contract |
| Specific requirements ITA 🇮🇹 | Criminal record and birth certificate apostilled for Chile, translated into Spanish |
| Document issued | Cédula de Identidad para Extranjeros + residence permit |
| Timings | 30–90 days from submission of the complete application |
| Payments accepted | International Wire Transfer, Cryptocurrencies (BTC, USDT, ETH) |
| Next step | After temporary residence (2 years) → permanent residence (permanent) → citizenship after 5 years in total |
How to obtain residency in Chile
Chilean immigration law is governed by Law on Migration and Foreign Affairs No. 21.325/2021 , which entered into force on February 12, 2022, and is regulated by Supreme Decree No. 177/2022 of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, which defines the subcategories of temporary residence. The SERMIG ), created by Article 156 of Law 21.325, manages all immigration procedures: approval, extension, refusal, and revocation of residence and permanence permits.
The law distinguishes three main migration categories: Permanencia Transitoria (tourist stay, max 90 days), Residencia Temporal (up to 2 years, renewable), and Residencia Definitiva (permanent). Holders of temporary residency may access permanent residency if their subcategory allows it (Articles 75 and 78 of Law 21.325).
Subcategories of temporary residence in Chile (Decree 177/2022)
Pursuant to Decree 177/2022, the subcategories of Residencia Temporal are as follows:
| # | Subcategory | Main requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reunificación Familiar | Family relationship with a Chilean or permanent resident | Spouse, children, parents. Direct access to the final |
| 2 | Actividades Lícitas Remuneradas | Employment contract or self-employed activity | Employed and self-employed workers |
| 3 | Students | Enrollment at a recognized institution | Students of all educational levels |
| 4 | Trabajadores de Temporada | Seasonal work contract | Limited periods, single or interannual |
| 5 | Jubilados y Rentistas | Demonstrable pension or annuity | Retirees and passive income earners |
| 6 | Inversionistas (Investors) | Investment in a business operating in Chile | Must credit actual transaction |
| 7 | Razones Humanitarias | Recognized humanitarian situations | Case-by-case evaluation of SERMIG |
| 8 | Acuerdos Internacionales | Bilateral agreements ratified by Chile | Includes MERCOSUR and Alianza del Pacífico agreements |
| 9 | Religious | Membership in a recognized religion | Ministers and religious of registered denominations |
| 10 | Tratamiento Médico | Medical treatment underway in Chile | With proof of means of support |
| 11 | Former Owners Res. Definitiva | Former permanent residence holders | Those who have lost their status and want to re-enter |
| 12 | Custodia de Gendarmerie | Persons in penitentiary custody | Specific cases regulated by law |
Permanent Residence in Chile (Residencia Definitiva)
The Residencia Definitiva (Definitive Residence) is the permit issued by SERMIG to those who already have a valid Residencia Temporal (Temporary Residence), which authorizes them to reside indefinitely in Chile and carry out any legal activity. To access it, the temporary residence holder must have maintained their subcategory for the required period and meet the requirements of Article 78 of Law 21.325. The application is submitted online through the portal tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl .
The criteria considered for granting permanent residency include: family ties with Chileans or permanent residents, official missions, availability of income or pensions, investments and businesses with effective operations in Chile, contributions in the social, cultural, artistic, scientific, or sporting fields, and other cases provided for by international agreements ratified by Chile.
Documents for obtaining residency in Chile
- Valid passport — with at least 6 months of remaining validity
- Birth Certificate — Apostilled for Chile
- Criminal record — apostilled, from the countries where you have resided in the last 5 years
- Proof of income or contract — depending on the residency subcategory requested
- Marriage certificate (if applicable for family reunification)
- For investors: Purchase and/or sales invoices
- Latest balance sheet or bank balance
- Latest income tax return (if applicable)
- VAT payment for the last three months
- Pay slips of contract workers , with their respective historical certificates of social security payments
- Accredit the competition authorization
How to Obtain Residency in Chile in 5 Steps
Step-by-step procedure
Contact us and choose the residence subcategory
Send us a copy of your passport and a description of your situation (retired, investor, worker, family reunification). We'll evaluate the most suitable immigration subcategory together and provide you with a personalized quote.
Prepare documents in Italy
Request your birth certificate, criminal record, and pending charges. Have all documents apostille-certified for Chile at the relevant Prefecture. If necessary, have them translated into Spanish and send PDF copies for review.
Submitting the application online
We submit the temporary residence application through the SERMIG digital portal ( vias.extranjeria.gob.cl ) or through the Chilean consulate in your country. The system has been fully digital since 2022.
Approval and issuance of permit
Once your application is approved (30–90 days), you will receive notification by email. You will then need to travel to Chile for biometric registration and to collect your Identity Card for Foreigners from the Civil Registry.
Permanent residence and citizenship
After two years of temporary residency, we submit an application for permanent residency. After a total of five years of residency in Chile, you can apply for naturalization and obtain Chilean citizenship and a passport. Chile allows dual citizenship.
Chilean Citizenship and Passport for Naturalization
Chilean naturalization is governed by Articles 84–87 of Law 21.325 . To apply for Chilean citizenship, one must have resided in Chile for at least 5 years , be at least 18 years old, demonstrate good conduct, and have no criminal record. Chile allows dual citizenship to all naturalized citizens, without the need to renounce their original citizenship. The Chilean passport offers visa-free access to over 170 countries and is among the strongest in Latin America.
Taxes in Chile: Updated 2026 Tax Framework
An individual is considered a tax resident in Chile if they are domiciled in the country or stay there for more than six consecutive months in a calendar year, or more than six months in total in two consecutive tax years. Tax residents are subject to the Complementary Global Tax (IGC) on worldwide income. Non-residents pay a flat tax ( Impuesto Adicional ) of 35% on Chilean-source income. Chile is one of the few Latin American countries with a modern tax system that complies with OECD standards.
Complementary Global Tax (IGC) Rates — Resident Individuals
| Bracket (annual UTA) | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 – 13.5 UTA | 0% (exempt) |
| 13.5 – 30 UTA | 4% |
| 30 – 50 UTA | 8% |
| 50 – 70 UTA | 13,5% |
| 70 – 90 UTA | 23% |
| 90 – 120 UTA | 30,4% |
| 120 – 310 UTA | 35% |
| Over 310 UTA | 40% |
Note: 1 UTA (Unidad Tributaria Annual) = 12 UTMs. As of December 2024, the UTA was CLP 807,528 (approximately USD 850). The tax-exempt bracket covers annual incomes up to approximately USD 11,500.
Main taxes in Chile
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IGC (natural persons) | 0%–40% | Progressive tax on global income of residents (8 brackets) |
| Impuesto de Primera Categoría (corporate) | 27% | General regime. 25% for SMEs (ProPyme) |
| VAT | 19% | Flat rate on goods and services |
| Impuesto Adicional (non-residents) | 35% | Flat rate on Chilean source income |
| Capital gains | Included in the IGC | Taxed as ordinary income. Exemption for sale of primary residence |
| Dividends | Integrated into the IGC | Tax credit for corporate tax paid (semi-integrated system) |
| Territorial Tax (property) | Variable | Annual property tax + surcharge for high-value properties |
| Social security contributions (AFP) | ~12,5% | Mandatory for employees. Individual capitalization system |
| Health contributions (FONASA/ISAPRE) | 7% | Mandatory for employees |
Is it worth living and working in Chile?
Chile is the country with the highest quality of life in Latin America. Santiago is a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis with excellent infrastructure, efficient public transportation (metro), and a vast cultural and gastronomic offering. Valparaíso and Viña del Mar offer a coastal and bohemian alternative. Southern Chile (Patagonia, Lagos Region) is ideal for those seeking pristine nature and a slower pace of life.
The cost of living is medium-high compared to the South American average, but significantly lower than that of major European cities. Santiago is more expensive than Buenos Aires and Lima, but offers superior services and safety. The job market is dynamic, especially in the mining, technology, agri-food, and financial services sectors. Foreigners with temporary residence have full rights to employment and self-employment.
Chile vs. Peru vs. Colombia: Residency Comparison
| Criterion | Chile 🇨🇱 | Peru 🇵🇪 | Colombia 🇨🇴 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of initial residence | Residencia Temporal (2 years) | Carné de Extranjería (1 year) | Migrant Visa (3 years) |
| Minimum Income (Pensioner) | Demonstrable pension (no fixed minimum) | ~1,000 USD/month | ~690 USD/month (3× min. salary) |
| Minimum investment | Operating company (no fixed minimum) | ~30,000 USD | ~130,000 USD |
| Time for citizenship | 5 years | 2 years (permanent residence) | 5 years |
| Dual citizenship | Yes, for everyone | Yes, for everyone | Yes, for everyone |
| Taxation | Global (0%–40% IGC) | World (0%–30%) | World (0%–39%) |
| DTC with Italy | Yes ✓ | No | No |
| VAT | 19% | 18% | 19% |
| Corporate tax | 27% | 29,5% | 35% |
| Currency | CLP (Chilean Peso) | PEN (Peruvian Sun) | COP (Colombian Peso) |
| Mandatory company | No | No | No |
| Cost of living | Medium-high | Bass | Medium-low |
| OECD Member | Yes ✓ | No | Yes ✓ |
| Population | 19.5 million | 34 million | 52 million |
| Quality of Life (HDI) | Very high (1st LATAM) | High | High |
| More info | Residence in Chile | Residence in Peru | Residence in Colombia |
Apply for your residency in Chile
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