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Last updated on 03/07/2026
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If you're moving to or living in Chile, you'll quickly encounter two important acronyms: RUT and RUN. These are Chile's identification numbers, essential for virtually everything you'll do in the country. This guide explains what they are, how they differ, and how foreigners get a RUT number in Chile.
What is a RUT in Chile?
Both RUT and RUN are unique identification numbers assigned to every person in Chile's systems:
- RUT (Rol Único Tributario): Your tax identification number, the tax ID Chile uses for every financial and administrative interaction
- RUN (Rol Único Nacional): Your civil registry identification number
RUT, RUN, DNI, CI... decoding Chilean ID terminology
Chileans (and government forms) use several overlapping terms. Quick translation table:
| Term you'll see | What it means |
|---|---|
| RUT | The Chile RUT number, your tax ID |
| RUN | Your civil identity number (same digits as the RUT for individuals) |
| Cédula de Identidad (CI) | The physical Chilean ID card carrying your RUN |
| DNI | The generic Latin American term for a national ID. In Chile, people saying "DNI" mean the cédula |
| Tarjeta de identidad / Chile identity card | Informal English renderings of the same Chilean ID card |
So if a form asks for your "DNI", "CI", or "chilean ID", it wants your cédula de identidad, and the number on it is your RUN/RUT.
Key Characteristics
A RUT/RUN has 8 or 9 digits followed by a verification digit (0-9 or K), written in the format 12.345.678-9 or 1.234.567-K. The number is unique and permanent: it never changes, even when you renew your documents. It is assigned automatically the first time you register in Chilean systems.
Why You Need Them
These numbers are required for virtually every official activity in Chile:
Essential Activities:
- Opening bank accounts
- Buying or selling real estate
- Purchasing or selling vehicles
- Getting a Chilean driver's license
- Signing employment contracts
- Opening phone/internet services
- Registering businesses or freelance activities
Daily Activities:
- Collecting loyalty points in stores
- Registering Chilean domain names (.cl)
- Filing tax returns
- Accessing government services online
- Making large purchases requiring identification
You will receive your RUT/RUN when you get your Chilean ID card after your visa is approved. If you need a number before that, you can get a temporary RUT (see below).
For Tourists: You generally don't need RUT/RUN as a tourist, except for buying/selling vehicles or real estate. In these cases, you can get a temporary RUT (see below).
The Crucial Difference: RUT vs RUN
Technically, the two are distinct. The RUT (Rol Único Tributario) is your tax identification number, issued by SII (the Chilean Tax Service), while the RUN (Rol Único Nacional) is your civil registry number, issued by the Registro Civil (Civil Registry).
Need a RUT from abroad?
Get your Chilean tax ID without setting foot in Chile:
- Local representation arranged for you
- All paperwork filed remotely
- RUT delivered, no travel needed
While these numbers are identical for individuals, they come from different government agencies and live in different places: the RUN is the number found on your Chilean ID card (Cédula de Identidad), in the bottom left corner, whereas the RUT is your number in the tax system for all tax-related activities.
Why People Confuse Them
Most people use "RUT" and "RUN" interchangeably because for individuals, the numbers are the same. Understanding the difference still matters, though: you can get a temporary RUT from the tax service before you ever receive your official RUN/ID card, the two systems are controlled by different agencies, and different rules apply to the temporary versus the permanent versions.
This is where the distinction becomes practical. Tourists who need to buy property or vehicles only need a temporary RUT, while new residents waiting for their ID card (RUN) can decide to get a temporary RUT first if they need a number sooner.
If you need to find the name of a person using his RUT number, or if you need to find the RUT of a person using his name, there are several sites that exist that allows you to do that. The most commonly used are Rut y Firma, and the Rutificador Chile.
Getting a Temporary RUT: When and How
Who Needs a Temporary RUT?
If you're in Chile without a residence visa (tourists, people waiting for visa approval), you might need a temporary RUT for:
- Buying real estate (property, land, apartments)
- Purchasing vehicles (cars, motorcycles)
- Creating or investing in companies
- Starting business activities
How to Get a Temporary RUT
Requirements
- Chilean Sponsor: You need a Chilean citizen or permanent resident to act as your legal representative
- Power of Attorney: Must be signed at a notary public
- Valid Passport: Your identification document
- Justification: Reason for needing the RUT (property purchase, business, etc.)
Step-by-Step Process
- Find a Sponsor: Chilean citizen or permanent resident willing to help
- Visit Notary: Sign a power of attorney (poder) authorizing them to act on your behalf
- SII Application: Sponsor submits application to Chilean Tax Service (SII)
- Receive RUT: Tax service sends temporary RUT by email (usually within 2-3 weeks)
Expat.cl provides temporary RUT support service, including the final step of merging your temporary RUT with your official Chilean ID when you receive it. This ensures continuity and prevents tax complications.
Important Limitations of Temporary RUT
What It Allows:
- Buying property or vehicles
- Creating/investing in companies
- Tax registration for business activities
- Some banking services (limited)
What It DOES NOT Allow:
- Opening a bank account (including BancoEstado CuentaRUT)
- Subscribing to phone/internet plans
- Getting credit cards
- Accessing most government services
Temporary RUT Characteristics
A temporary RUT usually starts with 48.XXX.XXX-X and is delivered by email to your sponsor. It remains active until it is merged with your permanent RUT/RUN, and it is not a replacement for the Chilean ID card.
Merging Temporary RUT with Permanent RUN
Once you receive your Chilean ID card with your permanent RUN, you must complete a crucial step called "continuación de RUT" to merge your temporary non-resident RUT and your Chilean card RUN number.
Critical Step: Failing to complete the "continuación de RUT" process can cause serious problems with tax filings, property ownership records, and business activities. Always complete this step promptly after receiving your Chilean ID.
How to complete the "continuación de RUT"
- Go to your nearest SII office (Servicio de Impuestos Internos). You can find offices on sii.cl
- Bring your Chilean ID card (with your RUN) and your temporary RUT number
- Request the "continuación de RUT", and the SII agent will merge both numbers in their system
- The process is usually completed on the spot, but may take a few days to propagate across all government systems
Do this as soon as you receive your Chilean ID card. If you delay, you may end up with tax filings split between two numbers, which creates headaches at tax time.
Getting Your Permanent RUN (Chilean ID card number)
Once you have legal residency in Chile, you get your permanent RUN, the run Chile assigns you for life, through:
- Apply for Cédula de Identidad: Visit Registro Civil with your residence visa
- Automatic Assignment: You receive your RUN (printed on your ID card)
- Tax Registration: Your RUN automatically becomes your RUT for tax purposes
- Full Access: Can now use your number for all Chilean services and activities
Timeline
Once your visa is approved you can apply for the Chilean ID card. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks, and your RUT/RUN is valid for immediate use as soon as the card is issued.
Temporary RUN from Private Health Insurers (ISAPRE)
Health insurers (FONASA/ISAPRE) may generate temporary numbers for contributions when you subscribe to a health plan. These numbers have limited legal value, as they are only for healthcare contribution tracking. They are not widely accepted, so they cannot be used for banking, official transactions, or most services, and they are temporary only: they must be updated once you receive your official Chilean ID card.
Not Recommended for General Use: Temporary numbers from health insurers have very limited acceptance and must be updated within 3-4 months. Plan to get your official Chilean ID card as quickly as possible.
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Common RUT/RUN Scenarios
Scenario 1: Tourist Buying Property
The solution here is to get a temporary RUT through a Chilean sponsor. With a notarized power of attorney the process takes 1-2 weeks. Bear in mind the main limitation: you cannot open Chilean bank accounts yet.
Scenario 2: New Work Visa Holder
Your priority should be to apply for the Chilean ID card immediately upon visa approval. In the meantime, you may get a temporary health insurer number for work. Realistically, you should have your permanent RUT/RUN (Chilean ID card) within 1-2 months.
Scenario 3: Investor Setting Up Business
You have two options: take a temporary RUT for immediate business registration, or wait for the permanent RUT/RUN (Chilean ID card), which is the recommended route if your timing allows. Either way, if you use the temporary number you must complete the "continuación de RUT" afterwards to avoid tax issues.
Professional Assistance
Getting RUT/RUN can involve bureaucratic complexities, especially for temporary RUT or merger processes. Consider professional help if:
- You need a temporary RUT urgently
- You're unfamiliar with Chilean bureaucracy
- You want to ensure proper "continuación de RUT" process
- You're making significant investments requiring RUT
We had a foreigner contacting us, who had bought a property. As she had no temporary RUT, the Chilean counterpart offered to registered the property on his name. It was then really complicated to transfer the property back to her and required negotiation with the Chilean "owner". We strongly recommend not doing this and getting a temporary RUT if you are going to buy assets of any significant value.
For assistance with RUT/RUN procedures, we handle the sponsor paperwork, the SII submission, and the continuación de RUT step once your Chilean ID arrives.
What your RUT unlocks next: banking in Chile, a Chilean driving license (requires the cédula/RUN), and Fonasa health coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions about RUT and RUN
Understanding the RUT
The RUT (Rol Único Tributario) is Chile's tax identification number, used for virtually every financial and administrative interaction: opening a bank account, signing a lease, buying property, or getting a phone plan. For individuals it carries the same digits as the RUN, the civil identity number printed on the Chilean ID card.
A RUT has 8 or 9 digits followed by a verification digit, written like 12.345.678-9 or 1.234.567-K. The final character can be a number from 0 to 9 or the letter K. Temporary RUTs issued to non-residents usually start with 48.
To check a RUT or find the person behind a number, the most commonly used lookup sites are Rut y Firma and Rutificador Chile. The verification digit at the end of every RUT also lets systems validate that a number is correctly formed.
Application Process
2-3 weeks after your sponsor submits the application with proper documentation.
You may have problems with taxes declaration, property ownership records, and business activities. You may in particular not be able to obtain tax refund if you overpay during the year.
Daily Life Requirements
Very limited options. Some international banks may offer services for tourists, but full banking requires Chilean RUT/RUN.
Usually yes for formal rental contracts. Some landlords may accept tourists with passports only.
No, you need a Chilean ID card (RUN) for obtaining a Chilean driver's license.
Your RUN number never changes. Get a replacement ID card from Registro Civil - same number, new card.
No, this absolutely not recommended.
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