Moving to Chile – How to Stay on Budget?

Chile is increasingly seen as a convenient destination for relocation, characterized by its stable economy and relatively high standard of living. However, before making a decision, it is important to assess the actual costs in advance.

This article provides estimated amounts in US dollars for key expenses: airfare, visas, medical insurance, and housing.

Primary Expenses: Airfare

One of the first and most significant costs when relocating is airfare, which can account for 20% to 50% of your entire moving budget, depending on distance and season. Approximate one-way ticket prices to Santiago, the capital of Chile, for 2025-2026 (economy class, without checked baggage) are from:

• the USA/Canada: $500–900 (many direct flights with Delta, American Airlines, and LATAM),
• Europe: $700–1,200 (good connections and competitive pricing),
• Russia/CIS: $1,000–2,000 (price driven up by complex routes with 2–3 connections).

For accurate budgeting, remember that adding checked baggage and other services can increase the final ticket price by 30–50% compared to the base fares listed above.

Key Factors Influencing Prices

Seasonality: Discounts of up to 20% are available during the low season, while fares increase during holidays and school breaks due to higher passenger traffic.

Layovers: Direct flights offer comfort, but options with 1 to 2 layovers can save you $100 to 300.

Airlines: On highly competitive routes, such as those from the USA, prices are often lower due to greater choice. Budget airlines may reduce costs by 15% to 30%, but with the risk of hidden fees for baggage or services.

Documents and Visa Expenses

An equally important aspect of relocation is processing visas and preparing documents, which can account for 10% to 30% of the budget, especially when additional services are considered.

The amount of visa fees for Chile depends on the applicant's country of citizenship and the type of visa, calculated on the principle of reciprocity. The payment is made online through the official migration portal Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) when submitting the application.

The estimated cost of the main fees for 2025-2026, based on current official data, is presented below.

• Tourist Visa (Tarjeta de Turismo): For citizens of over 100 countries, the visa is issued free of charge upon arrival and is valid for 90 days. It can be extended once for an additional 90 days by applying at the immigration department before the initial period expires. The extension fee is $100.
• Work Visa (Residencia Temporal - Sujeta a Contrato): The total amount of visa and administrative fees, including the work permit, is approximately $200-400, depending on citizenship.
• Temporary Investor Visa (Residencia Temporal - Inversionista): The application costs $100, but the key requirement is an investment of at least $500,000 in a project that provides goods or services in Chile.
• Temporary Family Reunification Visa (Residencia Temporal - Reunificación Familiar): $100 is paid for this application. The visa is available to spouses, children, and (upon proof of the sponsor's financial solvency) parents of Chilean citizens or permanent residents.
• Permanent Residency (Residencia Definitiva): The fee is approximately $136 for most foreigners. It becomes available after 1 to 2 years of temporary stay (depending on the visa type), with the requirement of having spent at least 185 days in Chile during the last year.
• Apostille is mandatory for certificates and diplomas. The cost ranges from $20 to $100 per document, depending on the country of issuance. For countries not party to the Hague Convention, additional consular legalization is required, which increases both processing times and expenses.
• Certified Translations are required for all documents issued in a language other than Spanish or English. They must be certified by an authorized translator. The price range is $18 to $50 per page.
• Notary Services cost $5 to $50 for certification and are used for passport copies, applications, and contracts. In Chile, local notaries are less expensive; however, consular legalization may be necessary for international documents.

Important Note: The exact amounts of visa fees and their requirements are subject to change. It is essential to always verify the most current information on the official website of the Chilean National Migration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migraciones, or SERMIG)

Medical Insurance

Medical insurance in Chile for foreigners is not merely a recommendation but often a mandatory requirement for obtaining most types of temporary visas and residence permits.

Insurance is highly recommended even for tourists, as private medical care here is expensive. For example, a single night in a hospital can cost over $1,000.

The country operates two main insurance systems: the public fund FONASA and private companies known as ISAPRE. The cost varies significantly depending on the chosen system, the specific plan, and personal circumstances.

• Public Insurance (FONASA): The contribution is 7% of the official monthly salary. For example, with an income of $1,000 USD per month, the insurance cost would be $70 USD. This option is available only to working residents.
• Private Insurance (ISAPRE): The cost is not fixed and consists of three parts:

– A mandatory 7% contribution from salary (as with FONASA).

– An additional monthly premium for the chosen plan (50-95%), which can increase the total payment significantly.

– Co-payments (co-pago) for each doctor's visit, procedure, or medication, in addition to the monthly premium.

Housing

Housing costs represent the most significant part of the budget after the move. The choice between short-term accommodation, long-term rental, and property purchase depends on various factors.

Short-term Accommodation: Hotels and Apartments

An ideal option for the first few weeks while you are settling into the new location. The average nationwide price is about $80-130 USD per night; however, during the summer season (December–February), prices increase by 30–70%.

– Budget options (hostels, 2-3 star hotels): $25–70 per night.

– Mid-range (3-4 star hotels): $80–180 per night.

– Comfort and luxury (4-5 star hotels): $180–300+ per night.

More affordable options can be found in the regions. For example, in Valparaíso, rooms are available from $15 USD. For searching and comparing prices, aggregators like Booking.com or Agoda are the most convenient tools.

Long-term Rental: The Primary Choice for Living

For stays of six months or more, renting directly from an owner is the most practical and cost-effective option. The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Santiago ranges from $550 to $850 per month. It is necessary to add utilities to this amount, which can be an additional $80 to $250. In regional areas, prices can be 30-50% lower. When signing a contract, a security deposit equivalent to one month's rent is standard, along with a guarantee (often a guarantee insurance policy) amounting to approximately 30-50% of the monthly rent. A key requirement for renting is for the foreigner to have a Chilean tax identification number, known as a RUT.

Property Purchase

Chile's real estate market demonstrates stable growth, with a forecast of 3-6% annually.

– The average cost of an apartment with an area of 60–80 m² is approximately $180,000 – $300,000. In the capital, the price per m² varies from $2,000 to $4,500+.

– A detached house with an area of 100–150 m² will cost roughly $250,000 – $450,000. The average price per m² is in the range of $1,900–$3,500.

Note: Prices in prestigious districts of Santiago, such as Vitacura or Las Condes, can reach $4,000–$5,000+ per m² and higher, while in small towns, listings can be found starting from $1,500 per m².

Conclusion

Relocating to Chile remains one of the most accessible and predictable options for moving in 2025–2026.

A minimum budget for the move for one person (without pets or property purchase) can be outlined as follows:

• One-way airfare: $500–2,000. The specific amount depends on the departure country, season, and baggage allowance.
• Visas and documents: $300–1,000+. This includes visa fees, apostilles, translations, and notarization of documents.
• Medical insurance (first 2-3 months): $450–1,200. A policy is mandatory for the visa, with a monthly cost of $230–400.
• Hotel or apartment for the first 2–4 weeks: $1,200–3,500. The price depends on the city, type of accommodation, and season.
• Rental + deposit + guarantee + first payment: $2,000–5,000+ upfront. This is the most significant one-time expense.

When moving with a pet, add $800 to $7,000 to the total budget, depending on the pet's size, departure country, and chosen service (self-managed or with a pet relocation agency).

Chile's main advantage is its transparent entry rules and absence of unexpected additional fees. With thorough preparation and choosing the low season, moving here costs less than relocating to most countries in Europe, Canada, the USA, or Australia, while the quality of life remains high.