Ecuador’s Digital Nomad Visa: How This Couple Succeeded

For digital nomads seeking a blend of adventure, affordability, and a welcoming culture, Ecuador has become a popular destination. At Expat Law Group, we specialize in guiding expats through Ecuador’s residency processes - including Botond and Róza, a Hungarian couple who successfully obtained their Digital Nomad Visa with us. In this article & video, we share their firsthand journey, mistakes to avoid, and actionable advice for your own visa application.

Watch the full interview with Botond and Róza in the video below:

Why Ecuador? Safety, Affordability, and a Warm Welcome

Botond and Róza spent years globetrotting as digital nomads before choosing Ecuador. Here’s what won them over:

1. Safety in the Andes and Amazonia

Botond shared their perspective on safety:

• Coastal Caution: ‘On the coast, we are more careful... but here in the Andes and the Amazonia, we never had any issues basically—less issues than back in our European country.’
  
• Comparison to Colombia: ‘We personally felt like on the Colombian coast that it’s more dangerous... but in Ecuador, we didn’t have any bad experiences in Montañita.’

2. A Culture That Feels Like Home

‘In Ecuador, Amazonia, like in the Andes, then we came back and visited like Cuenca, Quito, more places. We felt like nobody was really different to us because we are foreigners basically.’ - Botond

3. Affordable Healthcare

After a parasitic infection, Botond raved about Ecuador’s public healthcare:

‘They asked what my issue was. They were very kind... They said, “Oh, it’s an emergency, so it is free for you.” They did the surgery, and now it is healing.’

Buying Property in Ecuador: Botond and Róza’s Hard-Earned Lessons

The couple spent four years exploring Ecuador before buying land. Here’s their blueprint for success:

Step 1: Travel Before You Buy

‘We were travelling to Ecuador for four years before even thinking about buying something... 20 kilometers made a huge difference’ - Botond

Step 2: Find a Trustworthy Real Estate Agent

Botond’s advice after a bad experience:

• ‘If [an agency] is only on the market for one month and [the agent] has different accounts or agencies under different names, it should be suspicious.’
  
• ‘I asked around which was the most reliable in the area... [Choose] an agency that is established.’

Step 3: Verify Legal Documents

Key checks to avoid pitfalls:

• ‘Ensure the land has the definitiva escritura... Otherwise, you’re buying part of a land, and boundaries can change later.’
  
• ‘It takes 3–5 months to get all the papers in the right way, but it’s worth it.’

Bonus: You don’t need residency to buy land! They purchased theirs as tourists.

Ecuador’s Digital Nomad Visa: Process and Costly Mistakes to Avoid

Ecuador’s Digital Nomad Visa grants 2 years of residency. Botond and Róza’s journey highlights critical lessons:

Mistake #1: Skipping the Apostille

‘We got bad advice... For some reason they thought that only the notarization of the documents is enough. None of our documents were valid. We had to fly back to Hungary.’ - Botond

Mistake #2: Choosing Unqualified Agencies

‘Many companies gave outdated info... They didn’t check our translations. Expat Law Group found 10 errors others missed.’

Digital Nomad Visa Process

1. Gather Documents: Apostilled proof of remote income ($1,410+/month).
   
2. Translate Documents: ‘Translations need legalization or apostilles ’. The Ecuadorian government won’t accept them if you do not show it. If you bring translations from another country, they must have legitimate documentation. Note: English documents can be translated in Ecuador.
   
3. Submit with Experts: Expat Law Group pre-checks documents and liaises with ministries.

View the full requirements for Ecuador’s Digital Nomad Visa. 

Healthcare Wins: Surgery Was Free and Fast

Botond’s emergency experience changed his view of Ecuador’s healthcare:

Botond: ‘I had a parasite in my arm. At a small village clinic, they did surgery immediately - no wait, no cost. The antibiotics were free too.’

What expats should know:

• Public Hospitals handle emergencies for free.
  
• Private insurance (from $70/month) covers specialists and hospitals.
  
• There is also IESS, which is the Ecuadorian Social Security system.

Life with a Cedula: Discounts and Convenience

After securing their visas, Botond and Róza obtained their cedula, which provided them with the following benefits:

• Galápagos Discounts: ‘With our cedula, entry is much cheaper.’
  
• Simplified Banking: No more passport carries - just the ID.
  
• Local Integration: Shopkeepers treat Botond and Róza more like locals when they provide their cedula number.

Your Turn: Start Your Ecuador Journey

Botond and Róza’s story proves that with preparation, Ecuador offers safety, community, and adventure. At Expat Law Group, we’ve streamlined the Digital Nomad Visa process for many expats.

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📅 Book a free 15-minute consultation with Betsy to review your documents and visa eligibility.