Studio Panama Italia has been operating in Mexico for over 10 years, providing Mexican residency in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Moving to Mexico is one of the options available to those wishing to settle in a country in the Americas. Mexico is among the countries where residency is easy to obtain. Living and working in Mexico is an opportunity worth seizing as long as Mexican residency visas are still readily available.

Moving to Mexico requires applying for a specific residence visa that meets the requirements you can guarantee and demonstrate to the country's immigration authorities. There are two stages to obtaining Mexican residence visas: the temporary visa stage, which everyone must complete initially, and the final or permanent residency stage. Before wondering how to obtain Mexican residency, it's important to consider the advantages of Mexican residency for Italians and, therefore, why you should obtain Mexican residency. Mexican citizenship is easy to obtain after legally residing in the country. Living in Mexico as a retiree is a great opportunity.

Italians living in Mexico as retirees benefit from the extremely favorable exchange rate. Living in Mexico with a €1,000 pension is still particularly easy. Mexico boasts the strongest passport in Latin America.

Regardless of whether you want to apply for a Mexican residence visa for investment, retirement, or financial solvency, or for work, etc., etc.; whatever visa you want to apply for, remember that you can only do so if you are outside Mexico and by proceeding as follows:

•  Applying for a temporary residence visa (whatever type it is) at a Mexican embassy abroad (in a country other than Mexico, of course).
•  Entry into Mexico, where you obtain a Multiple Immigration Form for “exchange” or “canje”.
•  The process of exchanging the Multiple Migration Form with the temporary residence permit within 30 days of entering the country

Once you understand this, which is the basis on which the entire process for requesting a residence permit in Mexico through any type of residence to which you can apply is based, then it is useful to read the rest of this page where the individual requirements of each type of visa to which you can apply for residence in Mexico are explained.

Finally, it is worth remembering that there is no longer an immediate permanent residence visa, but permanent residence is obtained as a consequence of requesting an initial provisional or temporary residence that lasts 3 or 4 years before being exchanged for permanent. This applies to all types of visa.

It is important to remember that submitting the required documents and requirements to the embassy does not mean the embassy agrees to issue the visa, which remains the sole decision of the consulate/embassy. Regardless of whether a visa is issued or denied, this procedure generates consular fees that must be paid prior to submitting the documents.

The Mexican Embassy in Italy has provided an information leaflet to help you apply for your visa correctly.

Obtaining residency in Mexico is now one of the smartest choices for those seeking freedom, stability, and quality of life. Moving to Mexico means entering a welcoming country, open to foreigners, and with simple procedures for obtaining Mexican residency. Living in Mexico allows you to enjoy a favorable climate year-round, a friendly population, and a much lower cost of living than in Europe or North America.

During the pandemic, Mexico remained one of the few countries permanently accessible, without mandatory testing or vaccinations, confirming its position as a destination for freedom and independence. This has tripled the number of foreigners seeking residency in Mexico and attracted a new generation of professionals, retirees, and digital nomads.

Living in Mexico offers tangible advantages: low taxes, streamlined bureaucracy, and the ability to open local bank accounts and purchase real estate, even as a non-resident. Furthermore, the country is energy self-sufficient and offers modern services in major cities such as Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, and Guadalajara.

Those who decide to move to Mexico find an environment free from excessive restrictions, ideal for building a new life in a safe, sunny environment full of opportunities.

There are various ways to obtain residency in Mexico. The country offers numerous types of visas, but not all are ideal for Italian clients.

Mexican Residence Permit: Your Plan B

Obtaining residency in Mexico today is a strategic choice for those who follow the Flag Theory and desire freedom, security, and personal diversification. Moving to Mexico means building a concrete plan B in a stable, democratic country that respects individual rights. Residency in Mexico for foreigners allows you to live in a place where freedom of expression and movement are fully guaranteed, far from unstable regimes or excessive taxation.

Living in Mexico is like living in a neutral country like Switzerland, free from international conflict and with an independent foreign policy. This neutrality makes Mexico one of the safest countries geopolitically, ideal for those seeking peace and independence. In recent years, many Italians have decided to move to Mexico after experiencing restrictions in Europe, finding a free and welcoming environment here.

Obtaining Mexican residency also opens the way to Mexican citizenship and a Mexican passport, which allows visa-free travel to hundreds of countries, including Europe. Residency in Mexico also provides tax benefits, pension discounts, and simplified bureaucracy. Looking ahead, choosing to live in Mexico is an investment in your freedom and quality of life.

Moving to Mexico: Life and Society

The United Mexican States is a North American country located in the southern part of North America. The third-largest country in Latin America, it borders the United States to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and its eastern coast lies on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Mexico has the second-largest coral reef in the world, after Australia.

Mexico has an estimated population of approximately 130 million people. Most speak Spanish as their native language, which the state recognizes as its national language along with 67 indigenous languages. Its capital and most populous city is Mexico City, with over 10 million residents in the city alone, or 30 million if the entire metropolitan area is considered. Its official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN), which is the eighth most traded currency in the world. Mexico is the 15th richest nation in the world.

Transferring Residency to Mexico: Economy

Retiring to Mexico is one of the smartest choices for those seeking a new lifestyle, more affordable yet full of quality. Thanks to the favorable euro-Mexican peso exchange rate, living in Mexico on a pension of around 1,000 euros a month means enjoying a comfortable, secure, and culturally rich life. Residency in Mexico offers real advantages: low cost of living, affordable healthcare, excellent climate, and a growing network of expats who decide to move to Mexico every year to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Mexico is currently one of Latin America's strongest economies, second only to Brazil and the United States in terms of purchasing power. It is an industrialized and self-sufficient country, with a unique mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Living in Mexico means living in a productive, modern country deeply rooted in its cultural identity. It is among the world's leading producers of oil, tropical fruits, automobiles, and cement, and continues to grow steadily year after year.

With over 30 UNESCO sites, Mexico is also a cultural and tourism powerhouse. Those who choose Mexican residency, whether permanent or temporary, discover a place where freedom, security, and well-being coexist in harmony. Living in Mexico is more than just an economic choice: it's a concrete way to improve your quality of life, live more peacefully, and build a free, sustainable, and opportunity-filled future.

At Studio Panama Italia , we are here to help you through every stage of your internationalization and structuring plans, residency in Mexico and we are constantly searching for the best global locations to increase your privacy, freedom and wealth.

If you're looking to set up a company, open a bank account, immigrate, and/or obtain a residence permit in Mexico, you can view the information below.

Mexico has approximately 3.5 million foreign residents from the United States, 700,000 from Canada, and over 6.5 million from Northern Europe. There are an estimated 100,000 Italians officially resident in Mexico, and approximately 321,000 without an AIRE registration. Mexico should therefore have an Italian population of nearly half a million.

Residency in Mexico is relatively easy to obtain. Any foreign citizen wishing to live and work in Mexico legally must obtain a temporary Mexican residence visa or a Mexican work permit. Mexico is, on the one hand, extremely open in granting residency and citizenship to all without racial or cultural distinctions, and on the other, it is the toughest country in the Americas, more so than the United States itself, in enforcing immigration laws. Immediate imprisonment for both adults and minors without distinction, record fines, and lifelong denials of re-entry are daily practice in Mexico against those who do not strictly follow the entry, exit, and residence procedures. But it is also a country where residency is based on the minimum possible use of documents obtained abroad. In fact, obtaining residency in Mexico still means producing fewer documents than in any other country in the world, including Panama.

There are three types of residence visas in Mexico :

The tourist visa allows the holder to stay in Mexico for up to 90 days for purposes other than gainful employment (paid work). Until 2021, it could be extended up to 180 days. The laws changed in 2022; the tourist visa for all international nationalities is valid for 90 days, or the duration of your trip as a tourist, as confirmed by your return flight ticket. Therefore, if your trip to Mexico lasts 30 days because you have a return flight in 30 days, your tourist visa will also be valid for 30 days, and on the 30th day you must leave the country, under penalty of arrest and deportation, with the inability to re-enter for 10 consecutive years. It is always mandatory to arrive in Mexico with a purchased return flight, as tourists will be required to provide proof of legal entry. All legal residents may enter Mexico without an exit flight.

The temporary Mexican residence visa , issued to foreign citizens wishing to live in Mexico for more than 180 days. In addition to a Mexican work permit, the holder is authorized to live and work legally in Mexico for up to four years, known as a Mexican work visa. Note that there is also a variant, which is also the most common, the economic solvency visa, which does not initially allow employment but rather the holder to live off earnings from foreign sources.

The permanent Mexican residence visa is issued to foreigners who wish to settle permanently in Mexico. This type of visa is most common for retirees, which is why it is also called a Mexican retirement visa. Foreigners with close family ties to Mexico and those who have lived in Mexico for a period of four years can also apply for permanent Mexican residence.

The main types of temporary resident visas for Mexico are:

Work Visa in Mexico

The Mexican work visa allows the holder to engage in paid work in Mexico. To obtain a Mexican work visa, the applicant must first obtain a work permit.

Study Visa in Mexico

The Mexico Student Visa, which is issued to foreign students who wish to continue their studies at a Mexican educational institution.

Family Union Visa in Mexico

The Mexico Family Visa, which is issued to foreigners who wish to join a close family member living in Mexico.

Retirement Visa in Mexico

The Mexico Pensioner Visa, obtainable by a pensioner when the pension is equal to or greater than 2230 EURO per month, demonstrable with a bank statement for the last 6 months and an INPS card or issuing body that certifies the issue

Solvency Visa in Mexico

The Mexican residence visa for personal economic solvency, which is also the first most requested and easiest to obtain visa to become a resident in Mexico, as well as the fastest, since it requires a bank statement with 40 thousand USD / EUR (Note: the values ​​change every year, increasing in line with inflation and the cost of living, for more information always update yourself on the Mexican embassy website) .

Real Estate Investment Visa in Mexico

The temporary residence visa for real estate in Mexico which, in exchange for a real estate purchase with a value of no less than 476,000 Euros by 2025, grants a temporary residence visa in Mexico which then becomes permanent.

When applying for a temporary Mexican residence visa, you must have several supporting documents with you, such as:

• A printed and signed Mexican residence visa application form (download from the embassy website or fill it out online)
• If the applicant is a minor, the parents or legal guardians must sign the Mexican residency application form.
• A passport or other travel document with blank pages for a visa to be affixed and valid for at least 6 months.
• Also include a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Payment of the visa fee (see payment details on your embassy's website)
• Additional documents related to the purpose of the trip, such as ( one from the list is enough ):
  • Proof of family relationship, for Mexican family visas
  • Proof of enrollment in an educational institution in Mexico, for the student visa to Mexico
  • Proof that you have obtained a work permit for Mexico and a copy of your employment contract if you are applying for a work visa for Mexico
  • Proof or bank statement that allows you to determine your financial solvency
• Any additional documents that the Mexican embassy asks you to provide (generally they never ask for anything)

The application process for a temporary Mexican residence visa is divided into two parts and works the same as in the United States. So, forget about traveling to Mexico as a tourist and then, once you're in the country, falling in love, deciding to become a resident. You can't. You must return to your country of residence and proceed through the embassy. So, the two parts of the process are going to the embassy and then continuing in Mexico with the procedure explained here:

• Apply for a temporary Mexican residence visa at a Mexican embassy in your country of official residence.
• Changing the temporary residence visa applied by the embassy in the passport to a temporary residence card (temporary residence in Mexico) at the National Institute of Migration (Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM)) at an airport in Mexico (canje de visa)
• You must apply for a temporary Mexican residence visa within 30 days of receiving your canje de visa, otherwise you will be deported.

The application process for obtaining a temporary Mexican residence visa is:

1. Contact a Mexican embassy to schedule an interview to apply for residency in Mexico.
2. Complete the Mexican visa application form. You can find the application form on the website of the Mexican Embassy where you will be applying or at the embassy itself.
3. Gather the required documents depending on the Mexican residence visa you are applying for.
4. Submit the application and pay the Mexican residency visa application fee. On the appointment date, you must submit the documents and application form to the Mexican Embassy.
5. Wait for the consular visa to be processed
6. Collect your passport. If your application is approved, the consular visa will be affixed to your passport.
7. Travel to Mexico and cancel your consular visa at the Airport (Canje), change your temporary residence consular visa to a temporary residence card, the real residence permit in Mexico, within 30 days of the canje.

* Note: The consular visa affixed to your passport is not the Mexican residence visa you applied for. This visa is only required to apply for temporary Mexican residency upon arrival at the Mexican airport. It allows you to enter Mexico as an emigrant, not a tourist, and therefore, you can apply for Mexican residency within 30 days of your arrival.

This last part is where we come in, as it must be completed at a National Migration Institute and takes a month. During this month, you will be without a passport for about 1-2 weeks and must remain in Mexico until you obtain residency. After 4 years as a temporary resident, you can apply for permanent residency.

Anyone intending to move to Mexico for a period longer than six months must have a valid Mexican residency or Mexican residence permit, depending on the length and purpose of their stay. Foreigners wishing to settle in Mexico permanently must have a Mexican permanent residence card.

The permanent residence visa for Mexico is a popular option among retirees, which is why it is often referred to as a Mexican retirement visa.

A permanent residence visa, or permanent Mexican residency, grants the holder the same rights as a Mexican citizen, excluding the right to vote. Therefore, with a permanent Mexican residency card:

• You can work without having to obtain a work permit
• You can apply for free health insurance.
• You only need to apply once: since it is permanent, you do not need to renew it every one or two years
• You can enter and exit Mexico as many times as you want, whether you have temporary or permanent Mexican residency

You can become a Mexican resident if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You have close family ties in Mexico
• You found a job in Mexico
• Are you planning to retire in Mexico?
• You begin studying at a Mexican educational institution
• You have accumulated at least four years of temporary residence and are now eligible for permanent residence

As a foreign citizen, you will receive temporary residency in Mexico (a temporary residence card) if you find a job, want to join a family member who is also a temporary resident, start studying in Mexico, or have obtained residency through your own financial solvency. The temporary residence card for Mexico is initially valid for one year and can be renewed for up to four years. After four years, you can apply for permanent residency (a Mexican permanent residence card).

You can purchase property or land in Mexico, even as a tourist. You don't need to register as a resident in Mexico to enjoy your property. Italians purchasing a home in Mexico can purchase either as tourists or as residents, depending on their legal status at the time of purchase. Property rights remain unchanged. Therefore, purchasing property in Mexico requires this sole legal process.

• Contact a licensed real estate agency in the area, for example one with a CANACO license.
• Ask the agency to evaluate the purchase of a property in Mexico in the state you like most
• Once you have chosen the property, proceed via the agency to contact the builder and proceed with issuing a sales contract
• Foreigners in Mexico buy through the issuance of the Trust Deed, of which we take care of the incorporation

Once you've purchased your property or land in Mexico, you'll have to pay annual maintenance on the trust and the PREDIAL (the Mexican IMU tax, which is very low) to the relevant municipality. Owning a property also gives you a place to live in Mexico that you can call home. When considering a semi-permanent move to Mexico, it's always worth purchasing a property, either as a personal residence or as an investment that appreciates rapidly over time.

Temporary Residence Properties in Mexico

You can obtain a temporary real estate visa in Mexico when you invest a minimum of €303,000 to purchase a property in Mexico.

Requirements for a Mexican Real Estate Residence Visa

▶︎ Original and copy of the public deed drawn up by a notary attesting the foreigner's ownership of real estate with a value exceeding 6,914,800 pesos (approximately 303,000 euros).

▶︎ Original valid passport

▶︎ A full-face color passport-sized photograph, with a white background, face visible, without glasses, measuring a minimum of 32mm x 26mm and a maximum of 39mm x 31mm. Obtaining a temporary residence visa for real estate in Mexico is not the best way to move if you want to save money and later purchase a property whose value is even lower than that required by Mexican Immigration. Please also remember that this is always a temporary residence visa for real estate in Mexico, not a permanent one.

Which real estate agency in Mexico should Italians contact to buy a house in Mexico? Our law firm has identified an excellent, qualified real estate agency in the state of Quintana Roo, CANACO, which serves Italians and Americans who want to buy a house in Mexico. You can contact the real estate agency to buy a house in Mexico, especially in Playa del Carmen and Cancun: TuInmueblePlaya

To begin your residency transfer process, contact us at info@studiopanamaitalia.com, sending us a copy of your passport, and the exact dates to start and take up residency in the country of your choice, or contact us through the contact form on this website or via WhatsApp-Telegram at +1 786-623-8177

In addition to obtaining your residency in Mexico, you will probably be interested in creating a life insurance policy on your tax situation by taking up a second tax residence in a country with territorial taxation, such as a Residence in Panama or a Residence in Paraguay.

To obtain a Mexican pensioner's residence visa, you must demonstrate a monthly pension of at least USD/EUR 2,904.24. Alternatively, you must have a bank statement for the last 12 months with a monthly balance of USD 117,000.

Since January 29, 2015, the Law dating back to December 29, 2014, #. 203 " Ratification and execution of the Protocol amending the Convention between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the United Mexican States for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of fiscal evasion, with Protocol, of July 8, 1991 " has been in force in Italy.

Italian residents in Mexico who receive an Italian pension meet all the requirements to request gross pension payments in Mexico from INPS, thus subjecting themselves to the Mexican tax regime applicable to pensions received from abroad.

You can travel to Mexico as a tourist with your Italian passport valid for at least 12 months, staying in the country without a visa for six months. It's very easy to stay as a tourist in Mexico. If you're traveling to Mexico for tourism, you don't need to apply for a Mexican tourist visa for an Italian. Remember that after your vacation in Mexico ends, you must leave the country after six months, or immediately apply for a temporary Mexican residence permit before the six-month period expires. Traveling to Mexico as a tourist is very safe. The country is perhaps the safest in the Americas for foreign tourists.

What are the best places and destinations to visit in Mexico?

You definitely need to visit the Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum, and Holbox. You can visit the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico City, Chine Iza with its pyramids, Valladolid, and then continue on to the splendid beaches of the Gulf. Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, and the Pacific Coast, Baja California, La Paz, and Los Cabos are also well worth a visit.

Is a hotel or an Airbnb better in Mexico?

The best experience you can have in Mexico is based on your needs as a tourist. You can book the best hotels in the world in Mexico with all-inclusive packages and services that will make your trip comfortable, especially if you don't speak the language and are new to Mexico. You can also choose from the endless options Airbnb offers throughout the country, allowing you to enjoy a more private stay tailored to your needs if you are more proficient with the language.

What time of year to visit Mexico?

All year round. Mexico has a tropical, hot, arid desert climate, or a temperate spring-like climate, depending on the area you visit. Although there are no cold winters, despite being a North American nation and therefore subject to four seasons, they are very mild and similar, with the exception of December/January, when cold waves from Canada and the United States can cause fluctuations in winter temperatures for a few days each year in the north. Traveling along the Riviera Maya is possible 365 days a year; there's only one climate: very hot and sunny.

Where to go to live in Mexico?

If you plan to live and settle in Mexico, you'll need to consider where to live in Mexico. The most exclusive destinations for foreigners, where you can enjoy the same lifestyle and a quality of life even higher than what you're used to in Europe, are located near the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula. The most popular destinations for Italians to live and work in Mexico are:

• Playa Del Carmen, Solidaridad Municipality
• Puerto Aventuras, Municipality of Solidaridad
• Cancun, Municipality of Benito Juarez
• Puerto Morelos, Municipality of Benito Juarez
• Tulum, Municipality of Tulum

Playa del Carmen remains a firm favorite among Europeans in Mexico due to its exceptional quality of life, climate, and city management, which are among the best in Mexico.

How is Mexican citizenship obtained? In most cases, Italians who become Mexican residents, after the legally required period, that is, after five years of residence, the last two of which are permanent, apply for Mexican naturalization, or to obtain Mexican citizenship through permanent resident naturalization.

What are the requirements to become a Mexican citizen through permanent resident naturalization?

The requirements to apply for Mexican naturalization are:

• Have resided for 5 years, or have held permanent residence for the last two years prior to the application
• Having first proceeded to legally obtain temporary Mexican residency, then permanent residency
• Have been resident in the area for 1 year and 183 days in the last 2 years.
• Produce copies of previous temporary and then permanent identity cards (INM)
• A Migration State for the actual counting of days present on site and entries and exits
• Certificate of NO antecedents State and Federal
• Complete copy of current passport and previous passport if used in Mexico before renewal to the new Italian passport
• Written and oral Spanish grammar exam
• Historical-geographical examination

You can begin the naturalization process with our office. Contact us.

There are several types of Mexican naturalization, and each requires a certain length of residence, in addition to other requirements and documents required by law:

• Naturalization by residency. This applies to all persons who demonstrate five years of temporary or permanent residency in Mexico, pursuant to Article 20 of the Nationality Law and Article 14 of its Regulations.
• Naturalization for Ibero-American nationals. Applicable to individuals who demonstrate two years of temporary or permanent residence in the past two years, in accordance with the provisions of Article 20, Section I, letter c) of the Citizenship Law and Article 14 of its Regulations.
• They are eligible for naturalization as a descendant of a Mexican by direct birth and two years of residence in Mexico, as provided for in Articles 20, paragraph I, subparagraph a) of the Nationality Law and 14 of its Regulations.
• Naturalization is credited for having a Mexican child by birth and a period of two years of temporary or permanent residence in Mexico, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 20, Section I, subparagraph b) of the Nationality Law and 14 of its Regulations.
• Naturalization for having provided services or carried out significant works in cultural, social, scientific, technical, artistic, sporting or commercial matters, provided that two years of temporary or permanent residence are accredited, pursuant to Articles 20, paragraph I, subparagraph d) of the Nationality Law and 14 of its Regulations.
• Naturalization by marrying a Mexican man or woman by birth or as long as they have had temporary or permanent residence for two years, in accordance with the provisions of Article 20, Section II of the Nationality Law and 14 of its Regulations.
• Naturalization by being subject to parental authority or being an adopted child of a Mexican and demonstrating one year of temporary or permanent residence, in accordance with the provisions of Article 20, Section III of the Nationality Law and Article 14 of its Regulations.

Unlike the rest of the world, Mexico's anti-fraud and anti-money laundering measures are extremely modern and sophisticated. Mexico is undoubtedly among the countries where doing business, and especially investing in real estate or company shares, is extremely safe. Thanks to full traceability, now also via blockchain, as well as the ever-present role of the bank trust, the entire investment process in Mexico is completely secure, protected, fast, and precise.

Foreigners making their first investment in Mexico are shocked by the level of professionalism found among Mexican operators, both in the real estate and corporate sectors, the latter two being faster, safer, and more modern than the competitive US market. To invest in Mexico, you don't even have to be a resident.

But it's important to understand that anti-laundering and fund-testing measures in Mexico follow the latest guidelines and adopt them as an undisputed standard. Therefore, it's often easier to encounter investor reluctance to be fully transparent about their investments in Mexico than to encounter reluctance based on mistrust of investing in the country. We repeat, we're not in Europe, and Mexico adopts modern standards that are much more up-to-date than those used throughout Europe and the US. Therefore, respecting the rules and laws and seeking the support of a legal professional in these cases is ideal if you want to invest in Mexico.

This post was reviewed by an attorney specializing in immigration law in Mexico on October 30, 2025.