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This is an information resource mainly written for trans US citizens considering emigrating to another country, although we hope it is useful beyond that.

Please treat this wiki as a starting point for your own research, not as an authoritative source of truth or as legal advice.

Many of the authors have gone through the process themselves and want to share what they have learned.

Uruguay

From Trans World Express

This is a stub/draft, more information to come soon, it's so far based on the collection of procedures and rights for immigrants to Uruguay can be found on Cartografías Migrantes. The original content was done in Spanish due to its focus on regional immigration, other languages are machine translations. Does not (yet) contain dedicated information about trans/gender topics.

Uruguay is a comparatively LGBTQ+-friendly country with some legal protections for trans people.

Why Uruguay?

These bits sum up some information from a very comprehensive Wikipedia article on LGBTQ Rights in Uruguay.

  • Legal gender recognition: Since 2009, people can change their name and gender marker, with has been made easier through the 2018 "Comprehensive Law for Trans Persons", which removes requirements for surgeries, hormone therapy or any form of diagnosis and also enables minors to change legal gender with parental consent. No "third-gender marker" for IDs exists as of 2025.
  • Anti-discrimination laws: The Comprehensive Law for Trans Persons law also established a framework to revert past discriminatory state actions, including monetary reparations to transgender individuals persecuted during the Uruguayan Dictatorship. It stipulates that transgender people should receive 1 percent of public and private educational scholarships and the "free development of personality according to their chosen gender identity", and calls on the Government to ensure that transgender people are treated respectfully by authorities.
  • Public healthcare: The Comprehensive Law for Trans Persons guarantees access health services. Details on trans-specific healthcare TBA
  • LGBTQ+ rights and community: Uruguay has some of the most progressive LGBT laws in Latin America, and a very live and let live culture (tranqui). Discrimination does exist, but in general people are not going to bother you based on how you look.
  • Immigration pathways: Uruguay has one of the quickest and easiest paths to permanent residency. (See more below)
  • Friendly people Uruguay is known for it's friendly and laid-back population. While you will need to learn Spanish, people are very understanding and encouraging of people who are just getting started with the language.

Why not Uruguay?

This also needs effort by people with 1st hand experience!

While progress has been made, trans people still face barriers and discrimination. According to the Medical Union of Uruguay in 2019, the average life expectancy of trans people then was only 35, half of the population average. Furthermore, many trans people struggle to finish their secondary education or find employment.

Uruguay is very expensive compared to other Latin American and even many European countries.

Most expats complain about the food.

Political Situation for Trans People

details from people with 1st hand experience needed here

Uruguay's comprehensive law protecting trans people was passed in 2018 with more than two thirds of senators voting in favor. A referendum to repeal it shortly afterwards did not get enough signatures to make it to a vote. Trans people are entitled to 1% of government jobs, and reparations were set up for trans people harmed under the dictatorship.

Uruguay's next secretary of human rights is a trans woman.

Access to Trans Healthcare

  • Beyond the right to access healthcare broadly, there has been a push to improve trans healthcare
  • CASMU is the mutualista most used by trans expats; they are available in Montevideo and have an office in Maldonado as well

Healthcare

While public healthcare is cheap and available, most immigrants prefer to get private healthcare. There are several options (this is not an exhaustive list):

Hospital Britanico - Montevideo/Maldonad

This is the poshest and most expensive option by far.

CASMU - Montevideo/Maldonado

  • Recommended by trans people, less expensive than Britanico. https://casmu.com.uy/
  • There are some english speaking staff, but it can be difficult to find out who they are.

COSEM

https://www.cosem.com.uy/index.php/quienes-somos-2/presentacion-2

La Assistencial - Maldonado

This is the largest healthcare system in Maldonado/Punta del Este and the surrounding area.

Immigration Policy

US citizens need a visa to move to Uruguay for work, study and other long-term stays. Be aware that most/all of the process is done in Spanish. A lot of the information can be found here in an English translation here.

The most common visa routes are:

  • Student Visa: Available for those studying at an Uruguayan university, granted on a temporary basis
  • Family-Route: If you have a partner/family member who is a permanent resident/citizen of Uruguay, you have the right to permanent residency.
  • Digital Nomad Visa: Valid for 180 days of temporary residency, can be extended once. Can only be started from within Uruguay from a tourist visa. You will want to get an appointment to get your cédula before coming to Uruguay and applying for the permit, as appointments can be several months to get. Be sure you will be in the country and have the Digital Nomad permit before your appointment takes place.
  • Work Visa: Can be permanent or temporary, depending on the type of work
  • Permanent Residency (see below)

Medical Inadmissibility

While Uruguay requires a health card to be done within the country when applying for longer-term residency, it does not have any medical inadmissibility criteria and the medical checkout serves for preventative medicine.

Permanent Residency

Permanent residency can be applied for directly; although it may be convenient to apply for a Digital Nomad permit first, so that you can get an ID card (cédula) while waiting for residency to be processed. Temporary residency is not required to apply for permanent residency.

https://www.gub.uy/tramites/residencia-legal-permanente#contenido-seleccion

Requirements:

  • passport
  • vaccination certificate
    • Required vaccinations: TDAP (tetanus), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
    • You will need proof of vaccination from your country (the easiest route may be to simply get a booster for these shots)
    • on arrival, you will need to verify these vaccinations and get a Uruguayan vaccination certificate
  • Documentation of income
    • Prove legal, stable income generated outside Uruguay
    • Minimum USD 600/person/month (bare minimum).
    • Recommended USD 1,200–1,500/person/month; ~USD 3,000 for a couple.
    • Accepted: pensions, social security, rentals, dividends, stable remote/self-employment
  • FBI background check (with apostille)
    • while this can be obtained in Uruguay, it is highly recommended to get it in the United States
  • Passport-sized photo
  • Birth certificate
    • Apostilled
    • Translated by a Uruguayan translator
    • Notarized by a Uruguayan notary
    • Registered with the Uruguayan government
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
    • Same requirements as birth certificate.
  • Health card (Carné de Salud)
    • You can get this at CAVICA and some other places. No appointment needed
    • Requirements:
      • Urine sample - from your first morning's pee; get a frasco from a local pharmacy, and bring the sample with you
      • Blood sample - fast for 8 hours before going in
      • Dental check - they do a very fast dental checkup
      • Health questions
        • They take your height and weight and ask what medications you take
      • Eye exam - your basic look at the chart and read it to as small as you can make out
  • Uruguayan bank account
    • Used for day-to-day expenses in Uruguay
    • This is an expensive part of the process, many banks won't open accounts for foreigners without a large deposit (think $15k). Itaú will open an account with less money, but they charge $200 to open the account, and $100/month to keep it open ($40 for non-US foreigners). Once you have residency you can change to a cheaper account.
    • Requirements:
      • Letter from your US bank on letterhead with a wet signature (i.e. signed in ink by a person, not a stamp or a digital signature) saying you have accounts with them since such and such a date and are in good standing.
      • Proof of address in the form of a bill. (This can be your Antel cellphone bill)
      • Passport
      • Work documentation -> letter from employer with salary and saying you can work remotely (if you work remotely)
      • Bank statements from your current bank accounts
      • Most recent tax return
  • Minors
    • Birth certificate (with apostille)
    • Permission from the parents to reside in Uruguay
    • Other requirements listed in the link above

Citizenship Pathway

After 5 years of residency one can apply for citizenship. If you are married (even if you are not married to a Uruguayan) this is shortened to 3 years.

Immigration consultants

Immigration consultants can be relatively inexpensive and worth the cost. Generally they will charge you some money up front and the remainder when you achieve your immigration goals, or you can pay fee-for-service. They can help with things like setting up appointments, translation at appointments, and generally keeping you on track. They know what documents you need and when and usually have contacts like translators, accountants and lawyers when you need them. While you can do these things without help, having someone who knows the system is highly recommended if you can afford it.

Consultants used by TWE members
  • Aldo Relocation Service Aldo is friendly and helpful and his services are affordable. A full relocation package includes getting your digital nomad permit, health checks, drivers license, setting up a business if you need it, all the way through getting your permanent residency. You do have to pay any government fees for appointments.
  • Uruguay Relocation Companion A TWE member has worked with Ro. A queer-run organization. Somewhat more hands-off than Aldo.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

Top Trans-Friendly Cities

  • Montevideo
  • Punta Del Este
  • Melo

In general, most people live along the coast, and the interior of the country is known for being more conservative.

Community & Support Resources

National Organizations

Cost of Living

  • The cost of living in Uruguay has increased drastically in recent years due to hyperinflation and devaluation.
  • Rent is… ~ 23,000 UYU in Montevideo, one bedroom
  • Public transport … ~60 pesos for an city bus, 470 UYU for a bus from Maldonado to Montevideo
  • Healthcare is universal, with access for immigrants as well
  • Grocery prices … similar to the states, but you'll pay lower prices avoiding American brands and getting your vegetables and meat from fruterias and carnecerias.
  • Education is public and free, including for migrants under some conditions

Housing Access & Cost

  • add details on discrimination in rentals if applicable
  • Housing costs are broadly unregulated depending heavily on income and "market opportunities.” See here for details on housing

Law Enforcement & Safety

Censorship & Digital Privacy

Helpful apps once you're here

  • WhatsApp It is impossible to survive here without WhatsApp. People use it, businesses use it, you use it to make your doctor's appointment. There are LGBT WhatApp groups for expats in Montevideo and Maldonado/Punta del Este that are good sources of information and community.
  • Moovit for city bus travel. Enter the address you're going to and it will plan your bus route. Too many ads but what can you do. Outside of Montevideo it is probably not worth it to pay for bus tracking. Also outside of Montevideo it is less accurate on holidays and weekends; it's best to check on the bus company website.
  • Uber is the only option for rideshares, although it is safe to hail a taxi here. Not available outside of Montevideo/Maldonado/Punta del Este. However, taxis are safe and reliable.
  • Waze is essential for driving; speeding tickets are very high and automated; waze will tell you where the radar is.
  • Mercado Libre is the Amazon of Uruguay, you can find places to rent, and things to buy
  • Emergencia 911 is for reporting emergencies
  • Pedidos Ya for ordering food delivery
  • Prex pre-paid credit card, useful for making recurring payments. Apply on the app and pick it up at Abitab.
  • Wise get this one before you go, useful for money transfers, and you don't have to pay IVA if you're using a foreign card
  • Instagram You can't avoid it, if you want info about Uruguayan businesses, you're gonna need instagram

Ease of Travel to Other Countries

  • The only airport serving international, long-distance destinations is in Montevideo, which mostly serves flights across Latin America, with Miama & Madrid being the two exceptions.
  • You can reach Brasil and Argentina by bus or boat to Buenos Aires (from Montevideo or Colonía).
  • The Uruguayan ID card (cédula) allows travel to MercoSur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia) and some other South American countries without a passport

Animal Policies

  • Uruguay is very pet-friendly - you can absolutely bring your four pomeranians to the mall with you. Or to the cafe.
  • Bringing a pet to Uruguay requires
    • Vet checkup within 10 days of leaving
    • De-paratization of pets
    • Test for Leishmania
  • More info (from the UY government)
  • For more information to travel with your pet to Uruguay, see: Traveling with pets

Where to stay

Many people stay in AirBnBs when they first get here. This can be a pretty affordable way to get started and decide where you want to live. But beware that prices may rise dramatically in the summer months (December/January), so you may want to look for permanent lodgings or a place further from the beach during that time period.

Renting an Apartment

The easiest way to find an apartment is probably via a real estate agent; they will charge you one month's rent. But you can also find places to rent by going around and seeing signs (Alquiler and a phone number, usually) or by looking on Mercado Libre. Generally you'll want to Whatsapp with the owner (properitaria).

You can often negotiate for a discounted rent by paying a large deposit up front, i.e. if you pay six months rent up front, you might save $100 off the regular rental price. In general the security deposit is two months rent.

You should do a home walkthrough and take a video before signing the contract. Expect the contract to be read in full. Make sure any agreements you have with the owner are written into the contract. which you should get the chance to review before you sign it.

Apartments in Maldonado/Punta del Este generally come fully furnished. In Montevideo this is much less common. Especially if you are in a beach town, be sure you know if you contract is for the winter or for the full year. It's not uncommon to have 9 month contracts so people can rent by the week in the summer months.

Paying for things

In general, it's fairly easy to pay for most things via cash and credit card. And you often get a discount for paying with a card, and sometimes an extra discount for a card from a certain bank. Taking cash out repeatedly can get expensive; it's worth going to different ATMs to find out which ones are cheapest. Some US banks like Charles Schwab will reimburse for foreign ATM fees; it might be worth getting an account before you leave.

However, it's also extremely common to pay people via transferencia, or a bank transfer. This is is how to pay your landlord, or for classes you're taking, etc. Transfers from US banks can end up costing a lot if you're making them repeatedly, so it probably makes sense to set up a Uruguayan bank account if you're planning on staying long-term. (See section on permanent residency for bank account requirements.)

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