Things to know before moving to Chile

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Moving to Chile is not like moving to another city in your home country. There are things that work differently, things nobody tells you until you are already here, and things that will catch you off guard if you do not prepare. This article covers the practical essentials — not the tourist brochure version, but what you actually need to know.

Visa

A visa is required if you plan to stay more than 90 days. If you are moving permanently, you must apply for a temporary resident visa online, from your country of origin, before coming to Chile.

Once you arrive with your approved visa, the clock starts. Within 30 days you need to:

1. Register at the PDI (Policía de Investigaciones) to validate your entry
2. Apply for your RUT/RUN — the Chilean ID number you will use for everything
3. Get your Chilean ID card (Cédula de Identidad) from the Registro Civil

The RUT is essential. You cannot open a bank account, sign a lease, buy a phone plan, or do much of anything without it. For detailed visa information, see our comprehensive visa guide.

Money and banks

Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP). As of 2025, the exchange rate hovers around 970 CLP per USD, but it fluctuates significantly. Monitor rates when making large transfers.

Banks are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM. Yes, 2 PM. This means long queues before 9 AM, because everyone wants to go to the bank before work. ATMs (the Redbanc network) are widely available and accept most international cards.

Opening a current account requires a Chilean RUT, proof of income, and an address in Chile. If you are relocating as an employee, ask your company's finance department to help — they usually have a relationship with a bank that speeds things up.

If that is not an option, open a CuentaRUT at Banco Estado as soon as you get your ID card. It is a basic account available to everyone, no income requirements. You will not get an international credit card, but you will have a debit card that works everywhere in Chile. It is enough to get started.

For more on banking, see our Banking section.

Cost of living

Chile is the most expensive country in South America. The cost of living approaches that of some Western countries, especially in Santiago. The average Chilean salary is around USD 950, but expats typically need more for a comfortable life.

As a rough guide for 2025: a single person needs USD 1,200-2,500 per month depending on lifestyle. A couple, USD 2,000-4,000. A family of four, USD 3,500-6,500. Housing takes the biggest share — 30 to 50% of your budget.

If you live outside Santiago, you can reduce these numbers by 20-30%, especially on rent. For detailed breakdowns, see our cost of living guide.

Language

If you studied Spanish in school, you may not feel like you are in a Spanish-speaking country when you arrive. Chilean Spanish is the Latin American variant that differs the most from standard Spanish. Chileans speak fast, drop letters (especially the "s" at the end of words — "estás" becomes "está"), and use vocabulary that other Spanish speakers do not recognize.

A few traps to avoid: "cola," "coger," and "pico" have sexual connotations in Chile. Use "fila" instead of "cola" (for a queue), "hora punta" instead of "hora pico" (for rush hour), and "tomar" instead of "coger" (for grabbing something). Otherwise, you will get some interesting looks.

The bus is called "micro," not "autobús." An avocado is "palta," not "aguacate." And when someone says "cachai?" they are asking if you understand — it comes from the English "catch."

Adaptation takes 3-6 months even if you already speak Spanish. If you do not, start learning before you arrive. Watch Chilean TV shows, not Spanish ones — the accent is completely different.

Driving

You can drive in Chile with an international driving permit or your home country license for short stays. If you become a permanent resident, you need a Chilean license — unless you hold a license from Spain, South Korea, or one of five other countries with bilateral agreements.

Getting a Chilean license requires a medical exam, a written test on Chilean traffic laws, a practical driving test, and about USD 50-80 in fees. The process takes 2-4 weeks.

A word of warning: driving in Santiago is aggressive. People change lanes without signaling, speed limits are suggestions, and traffic during rush hour can double your commute. Public transport is often faster for getting around the city center. For more details, see our driving license guide.

Climate

Chile is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed. Summer runs from December to March, winter from June to September. If you come from the northern hemisphere, you will celebrate Christmas in shorts and start the school year in March. It takes a while to stop feeling disoriented.

The country is 4,300 km long and only 150 km wide on average, so the climate varies enormously. The north is desert — year-round warmth, almost no rain. The center around Santiago has a Mediterranean climate — hot dry summers, mild wet winters. The south is cool and wet year-round, with strong winds in Patagonia.

Most expats live in central Chile, where the climate is genuinely pleasant. Summers are warm but not humid (25-30°C), and winters are mild (5-15°C) with rain only a few days a month. The main downside is air pollution in winter, when a thermal inversion traps smog over Santiago.

For more on natural hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires), see our natural risks guide. Chile gets earthquakes regularly, but the buildings are designed for it and Chileans are well trained. It is less scary than it sounds.

Healthcare

Chile has a two-tier healthcare system. The quality in private facilities is excellent — well-equipped hospitals, well-trained doctors.

The public system (FONASA) covers all legal residents. It costs 7% of your income and gives you access to public hospitals and some private facilities for standardized procedures. Wait times can be long for non-emergencies.

The private system (ISAPRE) gives you access to private clinics with shorter wait times. Monthly premiums run USD 100-400 per person. Each ISAPRE has specific partner hospitals, so choose carefully based on where you live.

Without insurance, expect to pay USD 50-100 for a GP visit, USD 80-200 for a specialist, and significantly more for hospital stays. If you are coming from the US, you will find Chilean private healthcare surprisingly affordable. If you are coming from a country with universal healthcare, the sticker shock may go the other way.

For detailed healthcare information, see our healthcare guide.

Culture and social life

Chile is highly Westernized with strong European influences, so the cultural adjustment is easier than in many other Latin American countries. That said, there are differences.

Chileans are warm and welcoming, but building deep friendships takes time. Social life revolves around family — Chileans maintain tight family circles and often socialize with people they have known since school. As a foreigner, you will be welcomed but it may feel like friendships stay at the surface. Expat communities can help bridge the gap.

A few things to know: use formal address ("usted") until invited to use "tú." Arrive on time for business meetings but expect to wait 15-30 minutes at social events. Dinner is late — 8 or 9 PM is normal. Sunday is family day. And avoid jumping into political conversations, especially about the military dictatorship (1973-1990), which remains a divisive topic.

Domestic help

Many middle and upper-class families in Chile employ domestic help — a "nana." This can range from a live-in housekeeper to someone who comes once a week for cleaning. Nanas can also help with childcare, cooking, and errands.

If you hire someone, you must declare them. Social security contributions, minimum wage, vacation days, and sick leave all apply. The fines for non-compliance are significant, and if they get injured on the job without being declared, you are personally liable.

Typical costs in 2025: daily cleaning runs CLP 25,000-40,000 per day. Live-in help costs CLP 400,000-700,000 per month plus room and board. Nanny services run CLP 450,000-800,000 per month. Word of mouth is the best way to find someone reliable.

What to bring

Documents — bring apostilled or legalized copies of everything: birth certificate, marriage certificate, university diplomas, professional licenses, medical records, police background checks from every country you have lived in, bank statements for financial proof, and an international driving permit. You will need various combinations of these for the visa process, job applications, and school enrollment.

Electronics — laptops and phones are more expensive in Chile. Bring what you have. Chile uses Type C and Type L plugs (same as most of continental Europe). Make sure your phone is unlocked for a Chilean SIM card.

Clothing — remember the reversed seasons. Bring business attire if you need it for work. Quality shoes are expensive here. If you enjoy hiking or skiing, bring your gear — outdoor equipment is pricier in Chile than in Europe or North America.

Medications — bring a 6-month supply of any prescriptions. Most medications are available in Chile, often cheaper, but the transition takes time and you may need a Chilean doctor to write new prescriptions.

Getting help

Moving to Chile involves a lot of moving parts: visas, documents, housing, schools, banking, healthcare. Each one has its own process, its own timeline, and its own potential for delays. Handling everything yourself is possible, but it takes time, patience, and ideally decent Spanish.

If you want professional support — from visa processing to finding the right neighborhood — contact us or book a consultation. We have been helping foreigners relocate to Chile since 2016.

Frequently asked questions about moving to Chile

Do you want to go more in detail?

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