Moving to Ecuador Retirement Checklist — 12 Months Before to Day One

Your Month-by-Month Roadmap to Ecuador

Moving to another country is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. The good news: thousands of Americans have done it before you, and the path is well-worn. The bad news: there are a lot of moving parts, and missing a step can cost you weeks of delays.

This checklist organizes every task by timeline — from 12 months before departure to your first month in Ecuador. Follow it sequentially, and you'll arrive prepared, confident, and ready to start your new life.

12 Months Before — Research and Decision Phase

Financial Assessment

• Calculate your total guaranteed monthly income (Social Security, pensions, annuities)
• Confirm you meet the Jubilado visa income requirement: $1,446/month (individual) or $1,687/month (couple)
• Create a preliminary Ecuador budget based on your target city and lifestyle
• Review your investment portfolio — will you need to make changes for international living?
• Consult a financial advisor about the implications of retiring abroad

Research

• Read guides on Ecuador retirement (you're doing this now)
• Join Facebook groups for Ecuador expats (Cuenca Expats, Gringos in Ecuador, etc.)
• Subscribe to International Living and other expat publications
• Watch YouTube channels from Ecuador expats for real-life perspectives
• Identify your top 2–3 city choices

Planning Trip

• Plan a 3–4 week scouting trip to Ecuador
• Budget to visit at least 2 cities
• Book Airbnbs in different neighborhoods (not hotels — you want to live like a local)
• Make a list of things to evaluate: healthcare, housing, walkability, community, noise, safety

9–10 Months Before — Scouting Trip

During Your Visit

• Spend at least 1 week in each target city
• Walk neighborhoods at different times of day
• Visit hospitals and clinics — walk in, look around, note the quality
• Eat at local restaurants and markets to test the food
• Check internet speeds at your Airbnbs
• Talk to long-term expats — ask what they wish they'd known
• Visit real estate offices to understand the housing market
• Test the altitude — note how you feel at 8,400 feet (Cuenca) or other elevations
• Open your eyes to the daily rhythm — is this lifestyle right for you?
• Note prices for everything — groceries, restaurants, taxis, haircuts

After Your Visit

• Decide on your target city
• Set a target move date (6–8 months out)
• Begin telling family and close friends about your plans

8 Months Before — Document Preparation Begins

Visa Documents (Start Now — This Takes Longest)

• Request your FBI background check (Identity History Summary)
  • Apply through the FBI's official website or an approved channeler
  • Processing takes 4–12 weeks
• Request your Social Security benefit verification letter from SSA
  • Online at ssa.gov or visit your local office
  • Must show monthly benefit amount
• Obtain certified copies of your birth certificate from the issuing state
• Obtain certified copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least 12 months beyond your planned travel date
  • If it expires within 12 months, renew now

Personal Documents to Gather

• Compile your complete medical records (digital copies)
• Get a letter from your doctor summarizing your health history, current medications, and any ongoing treatments
• Gather prescription information — generic names and dosages for all medications
• Obtain copies of dental records and recent X-rays
• Compile your tax returns (last 3 years) for reference
• Gather insurance policy documents
• Locate and organize your will, power of attorney, and advance directive

6–7 Months Before — Apostilles and Legal Preparation

Apostilles

• Submit FBI background check to the U.S. Department of State for apostille
  • By mail: 4–8 weeks processing
  • By expediter service: 1–3 weeks (additional cost)
• Submit Social Security letter to the U.S. Department of State for apostille
• Submit birth certificate to the Secretary of State in the issuing state for apostille
• Submit marriage certificate to the Secretary of State in the issuing state for apostille

Legal and Financial

• Consult a tax professional about expat filing requirements (FileAbroad specializes in this)
• Update or create a power of attorney — you may need someone in the U.S. to handle affairs on your behalf
• Review and update your will
• Research Ecuador visa service providers or lawyers — EcuaPass can handle the visa process
• Open or confirm a U.S. bank account that works well internationally (Schwab, USAA, Fidelity)

4–5 Months Before — Downsizing and Logistics

Housing (Current Home)

• Decide what to do with your U.S. home: sell, rent, or keep
• If selling: list the property or begin preparations
• If renting: find a property manager
• If keeping: arrange for maintenance and a trusted person to check on it

Belongings

• Begin downsizing seriously — you cannot bring everything
• Decide what to ship, store, sell, donate, or discard
• Research international shipping companies if shipping household goods
  • Container shipping to Ecuador takes 4–8 weeks
  • Costs: $2,000–$8,000+ depending on volume
  • Customs clearance in Ecuador adds cost and complexity
  • Many experienced expats advise shipping very little — Ecuador apartments are commonly rented furnished, and local furniture is affordable
• Alternatively, plan to bring only suitcases and buy what you need in Ecuador

Health Preparation

• Schedule a complete physical examination
• Visit the dentist for a cleaning and any needed work
• Visit the eye doctor — update prescriptions
• Get vaccinations if recommended (Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever for Amazon travel)
• Stock up on prescription medications — bring a 3-month supply
• Request your prescriptions in generic names and written format

3 Months Before — Final U.S. Preparations

Financial

• Set up a Wise account and link it to your U.S. bank. Do a test transfer.
• Notify your banks and credit card companies that you'll be living abroad
• Set up autopay for any remaining U.S. obligations (insurance, storage, subscriptions)
• Cancel or pause subscriptions you won't need
• Understand your FBAR and FATCA obligations

Communication

• Set up a VoIP service (Google Voice, Skype) for calling U.S. numbers from Ecuador
• Research Ecuador cell phone options (Claro, Movistar, CNT)
• Ensure your smartphone is unlocked for international SIM cards
• Set up a mail forwarding service if you won't have someone checking your mail
  • Options: family member, or a service like Traveling Mailbox or US Global Mail

Visa Progress

• Confirm all apostilled documents have been received
• Organize all documents in a secure folder (originals + copies + digital scans)
• If using a visa service like EcuaPass, confirm your timeline and next steps
• Book your one-way or round-trip flight to Ecuador

Vehicle

• Sell your car (recommended) or arrange long-term storage
• Cancel or adjust auto insurance
• If keeping, arrange someone to start it regularly and maintain registration

1–2 Months Before — Final Push

Housing in Ecuador

• Secure temporary housing for your first 1–3 months (Airbnb or short-term rental)
• Research neighborhoods where you want to rent long-term
• Connect with real estate agents in your target city

Practical

• Scan and digitize all important documents (passport, visa documents, medical records, financial accounts, insurance policies). Store in secure cloud storage.
• Create a "go bag" with essential documents, medications, and electronics for the flight
• Notify your doctor's office that you're moving abroad — request a final copy of all records
• Forward your mail / update your address where needed (but keep a U.S. address on file for SSA)
• Say goodbye to friends and family — plan return visits
• Pack your bags:
  • Essentials in carry-on: passport, documents, medications, electronics, one change of clothes
  • Checked bags: clothes for the climate (layers for highlands, light clothes for coast), personal items

Utilities and Services

• Cancel or transfer utilities at your current home
• Cancel gym, club, and local memberships
• Update address with IRS, SSA, and financial institutions (keep a U.S. mailing address)
• Arrange pet transport if bringing pets (research Ecuador's pet import requirements — health certificate, microchip, vaccinations)

Week 1 in Ecuador — Landing and Orientation

Immediate Priorities

• Get settled in temporary housing
• Buy a local SIM card for your phone (Claro or Movistar — available at the airport)
• Get oriented — walk your neighborhood, find the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, ATM
• Exchange pleasantries in Spanish — even "Buenos dias" and "Gracias" go a long way
• Withdraw cash from an ATM for immediate expenses
• Buy any essential household items you didn't bring

Visa Process

• Meet with your lawyer or visa service to begin the in-country process
• Get documents translated by a certified translator
• Begin the online visa application process

Exploration

• Start exploring the city — walk the neighborhoods, ride buses, take taxis
• Visit the main market for groceries (Feria Libre in Cuenca, etc.)
• Eat at a few restaurants — find your favorites
• Introduce yourself to neighbors — Ecuadorians are warm and welcoming

Weeks 2–4 — Getting Established

Housing

• Begin searching for long-term housing (if your temporary place isn't your final choice)
• Visit apartments and houses in different neighborhoods
• Talk to the expat community about recommended landlords and buildings
• Negotiate a lease and move in

Healthcare

• Once you have your cedula, enroll in IESS immediately
• Find a primary care doctor — ask expats for recommendations
• Locate the nearest hospital and emergency room
• Register at a local pharmacy
• Refill any prescriptions that are running low

Banking

• Open an Ecuadorian bank account (Banco del Pacifico recommended)
• Set up your first Wise transfer from U.S. to Ecuador
• Establish your monthly money transfer routine

Community

• Attend an expat meetup or social event
• Join local clubs or groups that match your interests
• Sign up for Spanish classes ($5–$8/hour for private tutoring)
• Explore volunteer opportunities

Month 2–3 — Settling In

Administrative

• Follow up on your visa application status
• Receive your cedula when approved
• Complete IESS enrollment with your new cedula
• Register for any senior citizen discounts (with cedula, age 65+)
• Set up utility accounts in your name (if applicable for your rental)

Lifestyle

• Establish a daily routine — coffee spots, walking routes, markets
• Enroll in Spanish classes if you haven't already
• Find a gym, yoga studio, or walking group
• Try cooking with local ingredients from the market
• Take a weekend trip to explore the region
• Begin to build a social circle — both expat and Ecuadorian

Financial

• Track your actual expenses for 2 full months
• Compare to your pre-move budget — adjust as needed
• Set up recurring Wise transfers if your spending patterns are consistent
• Confirm your tax strategy with your tax preparer before the next filing deadline

Ongoing — Your New Life

Monthly

• Pay IESS contribution
• Transfer money via Wise
• Review budget vs. actual spending

Quarterly

• Review bank balances in all accounts (U.S. and Ecuador)
• Note highest balance in Ecuadorian accounts for FBAR reporting

Annually

• File U.S. tax return (by April 15 or June 15 with expat extension)
• File FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) by April 15 (auto extension to October 15)
• File Ecuador tax return if required (through SRI, typically March)
• Renew any expiring documents or insurance policies
• Review health insurance coverage and adjust if needed
• Respond to any SSA proof-of-life requests promptly

Essential Packing List

Documents (Carry-On — Never Check These)

• Passport (valid 12+ months)
• All apostilled original documents
• Document copies (physical and digital)
• Prescription list with generic drug names
• Medical records summary
• Emergency contact information
• Bank account details and passwords
• Travel insurance documentation

Medications and Health

• 3-month supply of all prescriptions
• Basic first-aid kit
• Any medical devices (CPAP, glucose monitor, etc.)
• Copies of prescriptions (written by doctor)

Electronics

• Laptop and charger
• Smartphone (unlocked)
• Adapters (Ecuador uses the same plugs as the U.S. — Type A/B, 120V)
• External hard drive or USB with document backups

Clothing (Highland Cities)

• Layers — mornings and evenings are cool, afternoons are warm
• Rain jacket or umbrella
• Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone streets)
• Light sweater or fleece for evenings
• Don't overpack — you can buy clothes in Ecuador cheaply

Next Steps

If you're reading this, you're already in the research phase — which means you're ahead of most people. Here's where to go next:

1. Decide your timeline. When do you want to be living in Ecuador? Work backward from there.
2. Start the visa process early. Document gathering and apostilles take months. Begin immediately. See our Jubilado visa guide or contact EcuaPass for professional assistance.
3. Plan your scouting trip. Nothing replaces experiencing Ecuador firsthand.
4. Build your support team. Tax professional (FileAbroad), visa service, financial advisor, and local contacts in Ecuador.
5. Start learning Spanish. Even 15 minutes a day on Duolingo will give you a foundation to build on.

The checklist is long, but each item is manageable on its own. Take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you'll be sitting in a cafe in Cuenca, sipping coffee, and wondering why you didn't do this sooner.