Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover locations to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

The precise answer to the question of how much it will cost you to live in Mexico varies widely and depends upon a range of factors including:

• your life stage;
• where in Mexico you choose to live
• the lifestyle choices you make as an individual, couple, or family;
• as well as other things like how you organize your routine life situations; and
• how you go about acquiring the things you need or want to buy.

This article provides a summary of the most common expenses foreign residents tend to face while they’re in Mexico.  Some, like residency permit fees, are universal whereas others like school fees are relevant only to families with school-age children.

The influence of your life stage and lifestyle choices

Your cost of living in Mexico will be determined in large part by your life stage, and your lifestyle choices—that also include where in Mexico you choose to live, and your tastes and shopping habits.

If you’re moving to Mexico with a young family, you’ll have different priorities and expenses to a couple moving here to retire.  If you’re on your own, or here with your partner and no children, your expenses will be different to those of a growing family or a retired couple.

Moving abroad offers an opportunity to reconsider your lifestyle choices, routines, habits, and the ways in which you live day-to-day. Moving abroad often requires us to ‘clear the decks’ in the place where we used to live, and this clearing can encourage us to consider different choices that are available, instead of just replicating the way we lived before.

When you come to Mexico to live (or if you’re living here already and wondering if you need to reorganize some aspects of your life situation) you’ll discover that there are many ways to form a lifestyle in Mexico, from the opulent and extravagant, to ways which are simple and humble, and options in-between these.

Residency permits fees

If you’re living in Mexico (or intend to live in Mexico) under the auspice of a Temporary Residency permit, you will have application fees and annual renewal fees to pay.  Learn more about the current cost of residency permits in Mexico.

If you qualify and apply for permanent residency right away, you won’t have renewal fees to pay, but you still need to budget for the initial application costs.

The value of Mexico’s peso

If you rely on a foreign income (or a foreign pension) to support you in Mexico, your local purchasing power will be influenced by regular fluctuations in the foreign currency markets.

Foreign currency markets are in constant flux, and can be volatile at times.  The exchange rate quoted on news reports, currency apps, and internet sites is invariably the ‘mid-market wholesale exchange rate’ which is not available to most people, and you’re likely to get rates which are between 2% and 5% less favorable to you than this when you buy or sell Mexican pesos.

When you’re forming your budget, don’t forget to include any transaction fees you may have to incur to access pesos in Mexico: for example, ATM fees, bank wire fees, and the exchange rate ‘spread’ (the difference between the buy and sell rates) and any other bank charges for dealing foreign currencies.

Larger money transfers, such as moving a block of money from your home country’s bank to a Mexican bank account or moving many thousands of dollars to Mexico to pay for a home purchase may fetch a better exchange rate than smaller transactions.

If you are planning to transfer a block of money from your home country to Mexico, consider comparing your bank’s offered rates and charges with specialist transfer services rates like Wise.com (formerly Transferwise) and XE.com.

The location you choose to live in

Your living costs in Mexico will be partly determined by the location you choose to live in.

Popular locations

Locations in Mexico that are popular with foreign residents usually feature higher house prices and the cost of renting in these places is higher than average, too.  In these places, house prices and rents do not tend to align with local purchasing power, at least in the neighborhoods usually sought by foreign residents. The price of groceries and other services may be higher, too.

Emerging popularity

Places in Mexico that are emerging in popularity with foreign residents are passing through a twilight period, where prices of accommodation are rising but local markets and local prices, including prices for grocery and other essential service, tend to be better aligned with local purchasing power.

Places mostly ‘off the radar’

Locations across Mexico that remain ‘off the beaten path’ for most foreign residents continue to offer the ‘best value’ in terms of house prices,  property rental costs as well as daily living costs. Keep in mind that moving to places which are underexplored will require more effort especially in terms of being able to converse fluently in Spanish and adapting to local culture and community traditions.

Scouting and choosing your accommodations

There is plenty of choice of accommodations across Mexico, for buyers and renters.  Some people come to Mexico and buy a house right away although we recommend that you rent first unless you are already familiar with the area where you intend to buy and live.

Property rentals

When you’re seeking property rentals in Mexico, you’ll find there is something for every budget, from rustic old casitas which may have limited services and suit someone who wants to get away from ‘the grid’ —perhaps as part of a writing, reading, painting, or meditation sojourn— to mansion houses offering every conceivable luxury—and everything in-between.

Rents in Mexico have been rising in recent years, especially in popular neighborhoods of Mexico City and areas frequented by foreign residents. The days when rents were a ‘bargain’ in Mexico appear to have passed, with property owners demanding higher rents and tenants willing to pay a premium to live in certain areas and/or in newer, better appointed and maintained properties.

Property purchase

Mexico’s real estate markets, whether you are looking in the big cities, colonial cities, or beach locations, are highly localized and accurate data regarding prices and historical trends is not easy to come by.

The best way to gauge property values is to undertake some initial research online and be situated locally so that you can talk to people and get a feel for the current market.

Online research using the country’s top property portals (see reference below) is also an effective way to gauge prices.  By undertaking research in person locally, you’ll discover:

• how sellers are valuing their properties;
• what prices sellers are asking for different property types;
• what the people are saying about the property market locally, and what neighborhoods are attractive or emerging as attractive; and
• you might also discover what recent buyers have paid for their home purchase; most transactions close at between 10% and 15% less than advertised asking prices.

Your tastes and shopping habits

Your tastes in food and drinks, shopping habits, how often you eat out and spend on entertainment, and your preferences for durable goods, technology and homewares are key determining factors in your living costs in Mexico.

Food staples, fresh fruit and vegetables, and other daily sundries tend to be less expensive in Mexico than they are in the US, Canada, and Europe.  However, certain types of food (especially those termed ‘gourmet’ and imported food) can be as expensive or even more expensive in Mexico.  Wines and spirits have been increasing in price considerably in recent years—including Mexican-produced wines and spirits.

Durable goods, homewares, and technology —particularly computers and smartphones— vary in price by brand and quality, although generally prices for these can be as much as, or 10%-20% more than, the same item purchased in the US.

If you shop locally at tienditas and markets, you’ll access local market prices, but the range of items on offer will be more limited.  For a wider assortment and range of options, especially imported goods, you’ll need to shop at the larger supermarkets and department stores, or one of the fancy retailers—where prices are higher.

Groceries

Mexico offers ample choice when it comes to buying food and groceries: from open-air markets and fresh food stalls, local convenience stores, and a range of supermarket brands—from the economic to the fancy. Most foreign residents living in Mexico shop at an assortment of grocery stores to buy the things they need and want for their pantry each week.

Dining out in Mexico

How often you dine out will affect your living costs as eating out in Mexico is relatively more expensive than preparing your meals at home using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  Local fondas can make dining out inexpensive by comparison to eating at restaurants, although even costs for these ‘cocinas economicas’ add up over time.

Clothes, furnishing, and homeware

Most foreign residents living in Mexico will go to one of the country’s big department stores or shopping malls to buy clothes, furnishing and homewares.

Online purchase options are also available: the most popular sites are Amazon Mexico and Mercado Libre.

You can browse stores and online catalogs using the references in our directory of department stores to get a feel for prices of the things you want or will need to buy in Mexico—see the link below.

Your transport choices

How you get around Mexico, and how often you travel outside of Mexico (or between Mexico and your home country if you live here part time) will also have an impact on your living costs.

Getting around locally

Local public transport is plentiful in Mexico, with local minivans, buses, and taxis offering affordable and convenient ways to get around locally if you don’t own a car or want to leave your car at your house in Mexico for certain trips.

Intercity buses

Intercity buses are frequent, affordable, and the “executive class” lines offer top-line comfort on a bus journey.  When the price of toll-road fees and gasoline are taking into account, intercity buses are often the least expensive alternative, especially if there are only one or two people traveling in a car.  Mexico doesn’t have national passenger rail network.

Driving your own car

Running your own car in Mexico gives you flexibility that no other mode of transport offers, but it’s also the most expensive. In addition to the vehicle’s purchase price, car running costs include regular maintenance, cleaning, and repairs, insurance, vehicle fuel, vehicle emissions testing fees, parking fees, and toll road charges.  Finance costs also ought to be considered if you take out a loan to buy the vehicle. Some people live well in Mexico without a car—whether it’s feasible for you depends on your life stage and lifestyle.

Insurance for your lifestyle and activities

When you move to Mexico, part of your budget planning ought to include insurances that will provide coverages for your key activities, assets, and health.  A range of Mexico-related insurance services exist that can mitigate the effect and expense of unforeseen events and mishaps when you’re here.

School fees

If you have children of school age and you intend to send them to a privately-run school in Mexico, then you will need to account for annual school fees. In addition to the monthly fees, you’ll need to budget for annual inscription fees, books and materials, school trips, and other special activities and events.  You’ll also need to consider funding transport options as some, but not all, schools operate bus rounds for their students.

Banking fees

If you have a bank account in Mexico, note that you will have some bank fees to consider.  Fees vary by bank and account type.  You can find extensive information about banks and managing your finances in Mexico here on Mexperience.

Leisure services

If you intend to join a gym, go regularly to the movies, and seek other forms of entertainment, for example theatre, concerts, sports games, etc., then you ought to take these costs into account as you compile your annual budget. See the directory of services to connect to sports stores and gym sites and find their current prices.

Visiting your home country

Some foreign residents only live in Mexico for part of the year, and most foreign residents will travel back to their home country to see family and friends on a (semi)regular basis.  If you’re living in Mexico part-time, or intend to travel back to your home country on a regular basis, then you need to budget for additional travel costs each year, whether that’s airfares or road transport costs—including gasoline and toll road charges.

Property maintenance and security

When you own property in Mexico, you’ll need to factor in property maintenance costs to your annual budget.  Even if you rent in Mexico, you usually need to pay for sundry maintenance that does not constitute ‘structural’ maintenance—e.g., a roof leak.  Sundry maintenance expenses for renters can include, for example, annual water heater maintenance and replacing old and worn-out fittings.

Learn about living costs in Mexico

Mexperience publishes a series of articles about living costs to help you consider your choices, research prices, and create a budget that’s based on your personal lifestyle situation.

• Cost of utilities and communications in Mexico
• Typical costs of running an automobile in Mexico
• Directory of stores, supermarkets and services in Mexico
• Read the latest articles about living costs in Mexico

Some house rentals include the cost of some (or all) utilities in the monthly rent, but most long term rentals don’t include utility costs and require you to pay for most or all utilities separately.

This article summarizes the principal utility costs in Mexico with references to sites that show current rates and prices for utilities and communication services.

Electricity costs in Mexico

Electricity bills in Mexico are dispatched every two months. The electric company is very efficient at sending out technicians to cut your supply off if you are late with payment. If you have a new-style electronic meter, your service can be cut off remotely, without the need for a technician to visit the property.

Current prices: You can find the current rates from this page on the CFE’s web site (Spanish).  Choose the “Domesticas – 1” option for residential electricity prices.

Domestic gas costs in Mexico

Some properties in larger towns or cities can be supplied with gas from a main-feed network in the area that distributes natural gas directly to homes.  However, most residential homes in Mexico use liquefied petroleum gas—a mixture of propane and butane and called Gas LP.

LP gas can be delivered in portable tanks, which are replaced when empty, or pumped from a large tank on a truck into a smaller stationary tank located on a roof, or at some other safe outdoor location on the property.

Current prices: You can find gas prices by region on this official website.  The form asks for your state, city, and municipality. When you submit the form, you’ll be presented with two tables: one for the price of gas per liter—for stationary tanks and mains-fed gas; the second with price of gas per kilo. Portable tanks come in various sizes; the most common is the 30kg tank that equates to about 55 liters of LP gas.

The cost of water in Mexico

How you pay for your home’s water supply will depend on how the water is delivered to the property.  Water in Mexico is delivered via mains-feed, or a communally run feed from local water springs, or a combination of rain collection and local water delivery by truck.

You’ll also need to consider water for drinking—most people use filters to purify the water that comes to their home before drinking it or buy pre-filtered water in 20-liter bottles. See the references below for details about this.

Current prices: Prices for mains-fed water vary by region, city and even neighborhood. Communally run systems usually charge an annual fee.  Water trucks charge per delivery, usually 5,000 or 10,000 liters, and prices vary by location and by season.  For an average residential home you ought to budget for around $500 pesos per month if your water is mains-fed; $500-to-$1000 pesos a month for communal systems; and around $800-$1000 pesos per 10,000 liters of water taken to your home via water delivery truck.

Pay TV and Streaming services in Mexico

If you’re a sports fan, or seeking to access other premium content in Mexico, you’ll need to subscribe to a Pay TV or Streaming service.

• The table below displays a summary of the principal service providers.
• Some providers offer internet access as well as Pay TV packages.
• You can browse latest prices and offers by visiting the providers’ websites—tap/click the name.

Telephone, internet, and mobile phone services

Mexico offers a choice of communication service providers offering fixed line, mobile, mobile data, and satellite communications services.

Fixed line communications

Fixed-line telephone and cable services are widely available across towns and cities in Mexico, although some rural areas may rely on mobile communications only. Monthly fixed-line monthly package fees include all telephone calls across Mexico and to most (but not all) countries around the world—as well as unlimited high-speed internet.

Packages and prices: Package prices start at around $400 pesos a month but can rise to $1,000 pesos a month or more if you want higher internet speeds, and/or more channels in the case of Cable TV services.

Mobile phones

Mexico has an extensively developed mobile phone network and several mobile phone companies competing for customers.  You can choose a monthly contract, that usually includes the cost of a phone, or you can choose a ‘pre-pay’ phone plan that you top up each month, without being tied to a contract.

Packages and prices: Mobile phone packages include a monthly data allowance, and all telephone calls across Mexico, the US and Canada.  Package offers vary: monthly contracts start at around $200 pesos a month, and ‘pre-pay’ top-ups packages range from $50 pesos to $500 pesos.  See the references below for mobile phone companies, connect to their websites and find the latest offers there.

Mobile phone data

You can purchase a special modem and get high speed internet in your home from the mobile data network.

Internet by satellite

If you live in a remote area, or area not served by high speed internet, or you want a backup to your fixed line service, you can get satellite by internet in Mexico, including from Starlink.

Directory of communications companies

These are the principal communication companies in Mexico:

• Telmex (Fixed line internet and phone)
• IZZI (Fixed line internet and phone)
• AT&T (Fixed line and mobile/data services)
• Telcel (Mobile, mobile data)
• Movistar (Mobile, mobile data)
• Virgin Mobile (Mobile, operates using Movistar network)
• Starlink (Satellite)
• HughesNet (Satellite)
• ViaSat (Satellite)

Postal services and couriers

Although the digital age has removed the need for lots of paper envelopes to be sent around the world, there is still a need for paperwork sometimes, and online shopping has made parcel delivery the backbone of the new postal service.

Mexico’s postal service

Despite the ‘bad press’ it receives, Mexico’s postal service is not as poor as many people make it out to be, but it is slow. It is fair to say that the service is more reliable in larger towns and cities than in provincial towns and villages, and it can take weeks for a letter to arrive at its destination, but the post does tend make it to its destination eventually, even to the smaller towns and villages.  To send documents and parcels reliably and in timely fashion, must use a courier service—see next section.

Courier and postal delivery services

If you need to send anything physically by post which is time sensitive and/or valuable, you must use one of the courier services available in Mexico as the national postal service cannot be relied upon in these circumstances.

If you order anything from one of the major online shopping portals, they will use a private courier service with trace-able deliveries to send the item(s) to your home.

Couriers offers competitive rates (although shipping rates worldwide have risen significantly), with modern booking and tracking systems that enable you to purchase your delivery service online, have someone pick it up (or you can take it to a local collection agency) and then track its progress online right through to its final destination.

Principal courier companies in Mexico

The major couriers operating in Mexico are:

• DHL Mexico;
• UPS Mexico;
• FedEx Mexico;
• Estafeta (Mexico’s leading national courier service);
• MexPost (this is the courier division of the national postal service).

Learn about living costs in Mexico

Mexperience publishes a series of articles about living costs to help you consider your choices, research prices, and create a budget that’s based on your personal lifestyle situation.

• How to calculate your living costs in Mexico
• The typical costs of running an automobile in Mexico
• Directory of stores, supermarkets and services in Mexico
• Read the latest articles about living costs in Mexico

This article presents regularly updated directory of all the major stores, supermarkets, and service providers in Mexico with links to their websites. Most stores publish online catalogs and pricing so that you can gauge the cost of products and services.

Most sites listed are presented in Spanish. You can use Google to translate web pages online if you need to: visit Google Translate for details about how to do this.  (If your Spanish is a bit rusty, consider learning or improving your Spanish!)

Supermarkets in Mexico

Mexico is well-served by a range of US-style supermarkets and hypermarkets.  All of them have websites and most offer home-delivery options as well.

• Walmart Mexico
• Superama
• Soriana
• La Comer / Fresko / MEGA
• City Market (Fancy goods/imports)
• HEB Mexico
• La Europea (Fancy goods/imports)
• Chedraui
• Costco (Membership store)
• Sam’s Club Mexico (Membership store)
• Tiendas 3B (Budget store)
• Bodega Aurera (Budget store)

Department stores in Mexico

US-style department stores are situated in Mexico’s larger towns and cities, usually at larger shopping centers and major shopping malls.

• Liverpool
• El Palacio de Hierro
• Sears
• Suburbia
• Sanborns

Home and furniture stores

These are the principal specialist home and furniture stores in Mexico.  Larger towns and cities also have local or regional (often family-owned) stores selling furniture goods.  Check locally for details.

• Elektra
• Viana
• Coppel
• Hermanos Vazquez
• Costco (Membership store)
• The Home Store
• Pottery Barn
• Williams Sonoma
• Home Depot

Pharmacies in Mexico

Mexico has pharmacies everywhere; even in the small towns.  The ones listed below are the principal national chains; local independent pharmacies are also present, especially in smaller towns and villages.  Most offer home delivery: check online, or telephone your nearest branch.

• Farmacias Similares (Generic non-brand medicines)
• Farmacias del Ahorro
• Farmacias Benavides
• Farmacias San Isidro
• Farmacias San Pablo
• Farmapronto
• Farmacias Guadalajara
• Sanborns

Communications services in Mexico

Modern communication services are wide available and reliable in Mexico, and the presence of several operators has kept prices competitive.

• Telmex (Fixed line internet and phone)
• IZZI (Fixed line internet and phone)
• AT&T (Fixed line and mobile/data services)
• Telcel (Mobile, mobile data)
• Movistar (Mobile, mobile data)
• Virgin Mobile (Mobile, operates using Movistar network)
• Starlink (Satellite)
• HughesNet (Satellite)
• ViaSat (Satellite)

Sports stores and gyms in Mexico

Mexicans are fanatics of sports and gyms. Mexico ranks 5^th in the world by number to gyms per capita.  Most of the better-equipped membership gyms are national or regional franchises, although local independent gyms also operate—check locally for details.

Sports stores in Mexico

These are the principal chain stores selling sports clothes and equipment in Mexico.  Some department stores also have sports sections.

• Sportland
• Marti
• Ruben’s

Gyms in Mexico

There are principal gym chains across Mexico.  They usually charge an inscription fee plus a monthly subscription and have minimum contract lengths, usually a year, although they might be negotiable.  Check locally for details.

• Power Gym
• Station24
• SmartFit
• GymPass Mexico

Food diners in Mexico (national chains)

Mexican food diners offer a-la-carte menus and daily specials, although local fondas offer an alternative, with lower prices for their meals.

• Sanborns
• VIPS
• TOKS
• Wings
• Los Bisquets de Obregon

Books and music stores in Mexico

Retail bookstores have diversified in recent years to offer a range of goods including music and DVDs—some also offer coffee shops in-store.

• Gandhi
• La Casa del Libro
• El Sotano
• Librerias de Cristal
• Mixup
• Sanborns

National cinema chains in Mexico

US blockbuster films are popular in Mexico and the two principal chains offer multi-plex centers with screens across the country.

• Cinemex
• Cinepolis

Technology and electronics stores in Mexico

Although a lot of people purchase phones, computers and other electronics online, physical stores continue to ply a brisk trade for these in Mexico.

• Apple Mexico (iPhones, iPads, Mac)
• Samsung Mexico (Android Phones, Domestic electronics)
• Huawei Mexico (Android Phones)
• Mixup (Phones, all brands and networks)
• Telcel Stores (Mobile Phones, Data Modems)
• AT&T Stores (Mobile Phones, Data Modems)
• Movistar Stores (Mobile Phones, Data Modems)
• Radio Shack Mexico (Electronics)
• Steren (Electronics)

Banks in Mexico

Mexico’s banks have networks of branches and ATMs across the country.  These are the principal banks operating in Mexico; most are owned by one of the global banking groups.

See also: Discover Mexico’s banks and the services they offer

• Bancomer
• Banamex
• HSBC
• Scotiabank
• Banorte
• Santander
• Intercam
• CI Banco
• Banco Inbursa
• Banco Azteca

Insurance services

Mexico is well-served by a range of insurance companies; however, if you want to insure a foreign-plated (US/CDN) vehicle in Mexico, you’ll need a special insurance policy—see below for details.

Insuring foreign-plated vehicles

Foreign plated vehicles must be properly insured in Mexico.  Your home-issued insurance policy cannot cover you for third party damages.

• Online quote for auto insurance for foreign-plated cars

Insurance companies in Mexico

All the world’s major insurance companies operate and are represented in Mexico.

• GNP Mexico
• Monterrey
• Royal & Sun Alliance
• DVK
• MetLife

Postal and courier services in Mexico

DHL, FedEx and UPS are the three principal international couriers operating in Mexico, and Estafeta is the largest domestic courier in Mexico.

• DHL Mexico
• UPS Mexico
• FedEx Mexico
• Estafeta
• MexPost

Automobile agencies in Mexico

All major car brands are represented in Mexico including the world’s most luxurious car brands. VW, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, and Kia, are the most popular.

• Volkwagen Mexico
• Kia Mexico
• Ford Mexico
• GM Mexico
• Nissan Mexico
• Mazda Mexico
• Honda Mexico
• Chrysler Mexico
• Buick Mexico
• BMW Mexico
• Audi Mexico
• Mercedes Benz Mexico
• Ferrari Mexico City
• Aston Martin Mexico City
• Rolls Royce Mexico City

App-cab (taxi) companies

If you have a Uber or Didi account based in your home country or Mexico, you can arrange for these app-cab services to transport you in Mexico.  Services are not available in all towns and cities, but they are available in the most popular/populated places.  Check on your phone app for details.

• Uber
• Didi

Housing: short-term rentals

If you’re seeking a short term rental in Mexico, various online marketplaces exist that offer rental of rooms, bungalows, and even entire apartments or homes on a short term basis.

• Airbnb
• Homestay
• Tripping

Housing: long-term rentals

When you’re searching for a long term rental in Mexico, browse the major property portals that offer listings for all types of accommodations on long term basis (usually 6+ or 12+ months).

• MetrosCubicos
• LaMudi
• Vivanuncios
• Inmuebles24
• Propiedades.com
• Homie
• Craigs List Mexico

Housing: house purchases and sales

When you’re searching for a house to buy in Mexico, these are the major property portals that specialize in listing houses and land for sale.

• MetrosCubicos
• Vivanuncios
• Inmuebles24
• Propiedades.com
• LaMundi

Learn about living costs in Mexico

Mexperience publishes a series of articles about living costs to help you consider your choices, research prices, and create a budget that’s based on your personal lifestyle situation.

• How to calculate your living costs in Mexico
• Cost of utilities and communications in Mexico
• The typical costs of running an automobile in Mexico
• Read the latest articles about living costs in Mexico

This article describes the typical costs you need to take into account when you intend to own and run your own private vehicle in Mexico.

Bring you own car, import one, or buy locally?

Foreign residents moving to Mexico from the US or Canada might bring their car with them when they move—but there are rules and restrictions about doing this.

If you bring your foreign-plated vehicle with you to Mexico, you will need to pay for a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)—and note that you can only keep a foreign plated car in Mexico while you are a visitor or temporary resident.  Permanent foreign residents cannot drive a foreign plated car in Mexico except inside one of the of designated ‘Free zones’ near the northern and southern border areas—see this article for details.

If your siltation doesn’t allow you to import a car temporarily to Mexico under the current rules, then you could consider importing your vehicle and getting Mexican license plates for it.  You need to contact a customs agent to do this: the process is complex, carries costs and import duties, and not all vehicles can be imported.

The alternative to importing your own car (temporarily or through a permanent import procedure) is to buy a car locally.  If you do this, we recommend you purchase the vehicle from an established dealer or agency, or from someone you know personally (or a direct personal referral).  If you buy a car locally and use financing, be sure to understand the terms and cost of the car loan.

Car taxes in Mexico

Mexican vehicles must be licensed according to their intended use.  Vehicles for private use need to have current plates, and some Mexican states also charge a Tenencia tax.

All Mexican-plated cars must pay the “Derechos” (license plate) tax. Plate fees and plate-update schedules vary by state—check locally for details.  A plate change typically costs between MXN$2,500 and MXN$5,000 pesos but this plate change doesn’t happen annually.

Some Mexican states also charge an annual Tenencia car tax, that’s based on a percentage of the vehicle’s original purchase price with:

• A minimum value threshold for the vehicle (less expensive vehicles may be exempt); and
• relief for depreciation; so
• If your vehicle is over the threshold, you pay the tax on the current market value (sometimes referred to as the ‘blue book value’ ) of the car.
• This site publishes an article with details of the ‘tenencia’ tax by Mexican state.

Emissions verification testing

Your vehicle will need to undergo regular emissions testing if it’s over a certain age.  Learn more about the emissions tests and vehicle restrictions in and around Mexico City.

The price of gasoline and diesel

Since November 2017, the Mexican gasoline market has been deregulated and individual stations can now charge whatever they want for fuel (competing with other local stations).  Prior to this, the price of gasoline was set each month by the government.

Buying gasoline and using service stations in Mexico (includes a link to current gasoline prices)

Vehicle servicing costs

If you’re living in Mexico full time and don’t return to your home country for regular maintenance, you’ll need to find service options in Mexico to keep your car in good mechanical shape.

Some people will always take their car to a branded dealership; others will look for small independent mechanics to keep their car mechanically maintained.

Branded dealership servicing

Getting your car tuned-up at a branded dealership (“Agencia”) will cost more than getting the work undertaken at a local independently owned repair shop. If your car is new or not too old, it’s sensible to pay the extra costs and get the car serviced at the dealership where the work and parts will be guaranteed for a certain period—and having an agency service record might help to improve the value or at least the marketability of the vehicle if you sell it.

Using a local independent workshop

If you’re driving an older vehicle, choosing the local workshop servicing option will save you money.  The quality of service varies and warranties from independent worships might or might not be honored.  If you use a local workshop, we recommend you ask people you know and trust locally to get a referral from someone you know.  We don’t recommend you take your car for servicing at a local independent service station you don’t know.

The cost of servicing your vehicle in Mexico

Annual car servicing costs will vary depending on your car type and model, its age, the mileage you have accrued, and any special attention it might need, e.g. new brake shoes, new suspension, etc.

As a rule of thumb, a mid-sized car that is one of the popular brands, of an average age, will cost between MXN$10,000 and MXN$15,000 pesos a year to keep regularly serviced at an authorized dealer.  The most popular brands in Mexico are Volkswagen, Nissan, Mazda, Kia, Toyota, and Ford.

If you car is more luxurious, for example, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, you can expect to pay more as the service and parts for these vehicle brands is more expensive.

Ask around for quotes locally and if you use an authorized dealer, ask around at two or three agencies in the area as they are all independently run franchises and might quote different rates for the same service plan, or some agencies might have special deals on servicing.

Insurance for foreign-plated cars

If you bring a foreign plated car to Mexico, you’ll need to get it adequately insured as your home-country policy will not cover you for third party liability.

Auto insurance that covers third party liability is compulsory in Mexico, but this does not mean that everyone drives around insured.

Driving uninsured is a significant risk in Mexico as, in the event of an accident where someone is injured or killed, the police will get involved and arrest everyone until blame and damages have been apportioned: insurance is crucial in this situation.

Insurance for Mexican-plated vehicles

Insurance costs for Mexican-plated cars vary widely depending on the vehicle, its age, the location where it’s kept, and the drivers who will use it.  You can purchase auto insurance for Mexican-plated vehicles from your bank, a local insurance broker, and a plethora of online portals.

Miscellaneous costs of running a car in Mexico

In addition to obligatory taxes, insurance, fuel, and regular maintenance, you will also need to budget for:

Toll road fees

If you travel intercity, you can choose to use the free federal highways or the tolled autopistas. For speed and safety most drivers choose to take the tolled roads.  In Mexico City there is also an option to use an elevated tolled beltway around the capital.  See this article for more details.  Toll road fees have been rising steadily in recent years and can add significant costs to long distance (or frequent) journeys.

Car parking fees

There is often free parking available somewhere, but many drivers prefer to park in a monitored car park, for the convenience of being close to where they are going, and also for security.

Many supermarkets and shopping malls charge for parking, some offer the first hour free (or discounted) with a purchase at the store.  Fees per hour vary between US$10 and $50 pesos or more.  Some parking lots offer a fixed price for an unlimited time during that day, from your arrival until their advertised closing time.

If you live in an urban area with on-street parking only, you might see local car parking garages advertising a “pension“—in this context, the word in Mexican Spanish describes secure overnight parking. Fees for these vary depending on the city and neighborhood. Fees tend to range from MXN$1,500 – MXN$2,500 per month.  Check locally for details.

Car wash fees

There are lots of dedicated car wash centers in towns and cities across Mexico.  Fees vary depending the size of your vehicle and the “package” you choose—these vary from a basic wash to a full interior and exterior valet including polish and wax.  Package fees tend to range between MX$100 pesos for a basic wash and clean and MXN$1,000 or more pesos if you have a large SUV and want the full works inside and out.

Sometimes people watching over car parks will offer to wash the outside of your car while you are away shopping or eating at the store or restaurant.  They usually charge around MX$50-$100 depending on the size of your vehicle.

Parking and speeding fines

Mexico City and other bigger cities are installing speed cameras and new parking meters with aggressive enforcement of speed limits and parking time limits.  If you get caught out, you’ll need to settle fines before you can get your vehicle (re)tested for emissions, and re-plated, etc. On-street parking meter enforcers use a physical clamp to immobilize your car and don’t remove it until you pay the fine.

Learn about living costs in Mexico

Mexperience publishes a series of articles about living costs to help you consider your choices, research prices, and create a budget that’s based on your personal lifestyle situation.

• How to calculate your living costs in Mexico
• Cost of utilities and communications in Mexico
• Directory of stores, supermarkets and services in Mexico
• Read the latest articles about driving in Mexico

Two calculations are required

There are two calculations you will need to make to determine the financial means you will need to have at your disposal to retire in Mexico:

• the first calculation is related to the financial requirements to qualify for a residency permit in Mexico, and
• the second calculation is related to your real living costs in Mexico that will be determined according to your individual circumstances, personal choices, and lifestyle plans.

Income or savings/investments required to obtain a residency permit

The financial requirements to qualify for a residency permit have risen in recent years.

Monthly income —v— savings/investments to qualify

Unless you intend to lead a ‘high octane’ lifestyle, the monthly income required to qualify for residency in Mexico is considerably higher than the typical costs of living in Mexico.

A corollary of this is that some people who want to retire in Mexico don’t have sufficient monthly income to qualify but do have sufficient income to live here.

If your pension income doesn’t meet the current income requirements, you can instead qualify based your savings/investments—and many people who have been saving throughout their lives will have sufficient savings and investments to qualify, even if their monthly income does not meet the minimum threshold.

The links in the box below contain detailed information to guide you about this. The include information about the current amounts of income or savings/investments you need to demonstrate to qualify for residency under the auspice of ‘economic solvency’ as well as other routes to residency besides ‘economic solvency.’

Income required to sustain your retirement in Mexico

The second calculation you’ll need to make concerns working out your real living costs in Mexico, and these will be determined by your individual circumstances, your intentions, and your lifestyle choices.

The question: “How much does it cost to live in Mexico?” has no specific answer because the amount of money you need to live and sustain yourself here will depend on an assortment of factors, the most common of which include:

• where in Mexico you choose to live: the most popular places also tend to be the most expensive to live in—from rents and house prices to everyday living expenses;
• whether you will rent or buy a home in Mexico;
• whether you have homeowner association fees to pay in addition to other expenses;
• the state of your general health and well-being: healthcare insurance premiums are higher for those with previous ailments, and while medications are less expensive in Mexico, they are still a cost and might have to be paid out of pocket;
• whether you’ll have a car or other vehicle(s) in Mexico to run and service;
• how often you travel, including trips back to your home country;
• what lifestyle choices you make including things like how and where you shop, how often you eat out, how much alcohol you consume (alcohol prices have been rising steadily in recent years), how much you spend on non-essentials, how much you spend on healthcare matters and medications, etc.;
• how much home help and other domestic assistance services you want or need: for example, whether you hire a housekeeper (and how often), a gardener, someone to maintain your swimming pool, if you have one, and other home services, e.g., nurses, or in-home care givers;
• how often you intend to travel within Mexico as well as how often you travel back-and-forth between Mexico and your home country.

Our guide to the cost of living in Mexico is a comprehensive resource that explores real living costs in Mexico and helps you to step back, make an assessment of your situation, and formulate a budget based on your individual circumstances.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Comprehensive guide to living and lifestyles in Mexico
• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Articles about living costs in Mexico
• Learn about obtaining residency in Mexico
• Latest articles about retirement in Mexico
• Is Mexico right for your retirement?
• Benefits Mexico offers to retirees
• Discovering potential places to live in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

• You intend to retire in Mexico or are already retired and want to move here.
• You own a house, or intend to buy a house, in Mexico.
• You live in Mexico part of the year and don’t want the hassle and risk of using visitor permit for your regular stays here.
• You intend to make a significant change in your life and work style and move your life situations to Mexico.
• You move to Mexico primarily for work reasons, usually under the auspice of a formal work contract.

Qualifying for residency in Mexico

When you have made the decision to apply for legal residency in Mexico, you will need to consider which route you will use to apply.

• Our article about the principal routes for obtaining Mexican residency summarizes the main routes most people use.
• Most applications are made via the ‘economic solvency’ route—i.e., proving that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself here.
• If you have specified types of family connections in Mexico (including marriage/common-law partnership to a Mexican national or a foreigner with legal residency in Mexico), you may apply for residency via the Family Unit rules.
• If your income or savings are insufficient due to the recent rises in those qualification criteria, there are some other routes that might be open to you.

Type of residency in Mexico

Mexico offers two main residency types: Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal), and Permanent Residency (Residencia Permanente).

Permanent residency is obtainable without having temporary residency first, but the situations that allow this are very limited, and thus most applicants begin holding temporary residency first.  After four consecutive years of holding temporary residency, you may apply to exchange this for permanent residency.

• Learn about the difference between temporary and permanent residency.
• If you’re a couple applying for permanent residency together, read this.
• Note that temporary residency does not automatically come with permission to work in Mexico—this needs to be applied for and granted separately.

The residency application process

When you have determined how you will qualify, and what type of residency you will apply for, you can begin the application process.

• Most applications for residency must begin at a Mexican Consulate abroad.
• If your application through a Mexican Consulate abroad is successful, a residency visa sticker will be placed in your passport. This sticker must be exchanged for a residency card in Mexico before the visa’s expiry date—usually six months after its issue date.
• Family Unit applications and applications through special procedures can be made at an immigration office in Mexico.
• If your application is one of the few that can be made at an immigration office in Mexico, you will exchange your visitor permit (or other visa type you might have) for a residency card in-country.
• Learn more about the government fees for residency permits, and typical time scales for obtaining residency in Mexico.

Residency card renewals and exchanges to permanent residency

When you take possession of your residency card, you will gain certain legal rights and obligations as a resident in Mexico and you’ll need to manage your ongoing status, thus:

• In most cases, your first temporary residency card is issued for only one year*
• After the first year, you can apply to renew your temporary residency for a further 1, 2 or 3 years.
• After holding temporary residency for four consecutive years, you may apply to exchange this for permanent residency.
• If you don’t want permanent residency, you can allow the temporary residency card to expire and restart the process with one year of temporary residency.
• Permanent residency cards issued people aged 18 years and older never expire. Minors (aged under 18 years) need to renew their permanent residency cards periodically until reaching the age of 18.

*Spouse of a Mexican national or foreign resident: If you’re applying as a spouse of a Mexican national or an existing foreign resident see this article for details about time scales.)

Mexico residency card use and management

Your Mexico residency card serves as a form of official identification in Mexico, and may be accepted abroad as form of government-issued ID.

• You must present your residency card when you enter Mexico, and each time you leave the country.
• If have a temporary resident card, or if you’re the parent or guardian of a minor (aged under 18 years) with a permanent residency card, you’ll need to manage renewals to keep your legal residency status valid.
• You need to file notifications about certain changes in your personal circumstances at your local INM office.
• If you lose your residency card, or it becomes damaged beyond use, you’ll need to apply for a replacement.

For more details, read our article about managing your resident card and residency status in Mexico.

Learn more about residency in Mexico

Mexperience publishes information and resources to help you learn about how to apply for and obtain legal residency in Mexico:

• Learn about the principal routes to obtaining legal residency
• The difference between temporary and permanent residency permits
• Financial criteria for residency in Mexico
• Time limits on Mexico’s visitor and residency permits
• Rights and obligations when you have legal residency
• Renewing your residency permit
• Temporary residency: expiry and renewal

When you plan to apply for legal residency in Mexico, Mexican immigration law states that applicants for residency need to fulfill certain criteria.

Most applications for residency are granted on the basis of ‘economic solvency’ with criteria that intend to ensure people applying for residency by this route have the economic means to sustain themselves in Mexico.

Key points about qualification for 2026

This guide describes in detail the economic solvency criteria to apply for legal residency in Mexico in 2026.  Here are the key points:

• In July 2025, new visa guidelines directed Mexican consulates to use UMAs to make their residency calculations.
• UMA for 2026 was published on January 8th at the rate of $117.31 pesos. (3.69% increase on 2025’s rate of $113.14.)
• Mexico’s peso has appreciated in value between January 2025 and December 2025—from ~20 pesos to the US dollar to ~18 pesos to the US dollar.

Financial qualification criteria for 2026

There are four principal routes to qualify for residency in Mexico using your financial means / assets (termed ‘economic solvency’ in the immigration rules).  They are:

• By demonstrating you have a minimum monthly net income; or
• By holding a minimum balance in personal savings/investments; or
• By owning a house in Mexico with a specified minimum value; or
• By making a specified capital investment in a Mexican company.

You must qualify financially with the minimum amount required under one of the above.  You cannot mix means/asset types; for example, you cannot mix income & savings, or savings and your house value.

The financial account statements (or property title deed, if you use your Mexican house value) must be in the name of the applicant.

Typical amounts required by means/asset type in 2026

This section describes the monetary amounts Mexican Consulates typically ask for to qualify for Temporary or Permanent residency under each means/asset type mentioned in the previous section.

Residency in Mexico using your monthly income

When you intend to use your monthly income to apply for a residency visa at a Mexican Consulate abroad, you need to demonstrate monthly net income as described in the table below.

See also: Difference between temporary and permanent residency.

Residency in Mexico using your personal savings/investments

When you intend to use your personal savings/investment balances to apply for a residency visa at a Mexican Consulate abroad, you need to demonstrate savings and/or investment balances as described in the table below.

Residency in Mexico using the market value of your residential house (2026)

You can apply at a Mexican Consulate for Temporary Residency if you own a residential property in Mexico (not abroad) and you can demonstrate that:

• the property has a minimum market value of MXN$10,758,500 pesos (approximately $598,000 US dollars), and:
• the property must be situated in Mexico;
• the property value must be free of any liens (debts, charges, or mortgages);
• the value to demonstrate is that noted on the title deed/sales contract, or from a recent official valuation;
• the name(s) on the title deed/sales contract must match that of the applicant.

Residency in Mexico using a capital investment (2026)

You can qualify for Temporary Residency if you commit to investing in a private Mexican-owned company or a company or companies listed on the Mexican stock exchange.

• You must make a capital investment of at least MXN$5,378,664 pesos (approximately US$300,000); and
• the capital must be invested in one of a prescribed set of ways; and
• these applications are considerably more complex than applications made using the other three ‘economic solvency’ routes.

Notes and FAQs (2026)

This section contains some accompanying information about the amounts quoted above. Also read the next section (Appendix) to learn about Mexico’s UMA and how these affect economic qualification criteria.

See also: FAQs: Obtaining Residency in Mexico via ‘Economic Solvency’.

Exchange rates

We used an exchange rate of 18 Mexican pesos (MXN) to 1 US dollar (USD) to calculate the USD-equivalent amounts in the illustrations. Mexican Consulates abroad and immigration offices in Mexico may apply distinct exchange rates that might not reflect these illustrations, and/or the latest market rates.

Financial requirements vary by consulate

It’s common for ‘economic solvency’ requirements to vary between consulates. The differences usually arise due to the variation in the exchange rate applied by each consulate to calculate the figures in the local currency where the consulate is situated.

Married couples / common law partners

If you’re applying for residency as a couple, you do not need to demonstrate double the amounts expressed above.

Instead, one spouse/partner will need to demonstrate income or a savings balance in the amounts above (as the principal applicant) plus an additional sum of income or savings balance equivalent to 220x UMA for the dependent spouse/partner.

If you are legally married, you will need to show your marriage certificate. Common-law partners need to consult with the consulate they apply at to ask about what proof of common-law partnership they ask for; requirements vary by consulate.

See Also:

• This guide to applying for residency via marriage or common-law partnership
• Important note if you are applying for Permanent Residency as a couple.
• FAQs with more details about couples applying together.

Dependent minors

If you’re applying for residency with dependent children, note that only minor children (aged under 18 years) can be included on the application as your dependents.  Adult children must use their own means/assets to qualify.

For minor children dependents, you will need to demonstrate income or a savings balance in the amounts above for the principal applicant plus an additional sum of income or savings balance equivalent to 220x UMA for each dependent minor child. (See the next section in this guide about how figures are calculated using UMA.)

Also note: Both parents must be present at the residency interview to sign the application for the dependent child(ren), otherwise a notarized letter from the absent parent authorizing the application must be submitted alongside the application.

Family Unit applications

“Family Unit” applications are those where the applicant has specific family ties or roots in Mexico, for example, Mexican parentage or a Mexican spouse or common-law partner. Learn more about Family Unit residency applications.

Permanent residency

Mexican Consulates are requiring applicants ‘to be retired’ to grant applications for Permanent Residency right away—even when applicants meet the economic solvency requirements.

If the applicant has the economic means for permanent residency but does not otherwise qualify, the Mexican consulate will usually offer to grant Temporary Residency instead.

Read this if you are applying for Permanent Residency as a couple.

Student residents

Financial qualification criteria for student residency permits are considerably lower (see the tables in the next section) but note that student residency permits carry restrictions that non-student residency permits don’t have.  Work permissions can optionally be sought with student residency permits.

Appendix: How the amounts are calculated (2026)

Under Mexico’s immigration law, and new guidelines published in July 2025, applicants seeking residency in Mexico via the route of ‘economic solvency’ need to demonstrate amounts of income or savings/investments based on “multiples” of Unidad de Medida y Actualización, typically known by its acronym UMA.

The official value of UMA rises in January each year, and the value of this unit of measurement, multiplied by the multiples of the value required in law, determines the financial criteria to qualify for residency in Mexico.

• UMA for 2026 is $117.31 pesos.
• UMA typically rises each year in line with Mexico’s official inflation rate.
• The official value for UMA is published by INEGI usually in the first week of each new year.

How qualifying ‘multiples of UMA’ work

Depending on the type of residency applied for, applicants must demonstrate varying (x) multiples of UMA.

The table below illustrates the legally-stipulated multiples of UMA (2026) required for various residency types, as published in the visa guidelines update of July 2025.

* Family Unit applications are those whereby the applicant has specific family ties or roots in Mexico.

UMA 2026: $117.31 pesos.

‘Multiples’ table based on MONTHLY INCOME

This table illustrates the minimum monthly income that must be demonstrated in the 6 months preceding your application date (some consulates ask to see 12 months’ income).

The amounts below are expressed in Mexican pesos (MXN) with an approximate equivalent in US dollars (USD) based on the legal multiples of UMA required for qualification.  See the section above to learn about how the ‘multiples’ are applied in these calculations.

US dollar amounts illustrated in these tables use 2026 UMA rates and an exchange rate of 18 Mexican pesos to 1 US dollar. Mexican consulates may apply a different exchange rate.

* Family Unit applications are those whereby the applicant has specific family ties or roots in Mexico.

UMA 2026: $117.31 pesos.

‘Multiples’ table based on SAVINGS/INVESTMENTS

This table illustrates the minimum savings/investment balance (cash or investments) required, and this minimum balance must be demonstrated for at least a full 12 months preceding your application date.  For monthly income, see previous section.

The amounts below are expressed in Mexican pesos (MXN) with an approximate equivalent in US dollars (USD), based on the legal multiples of UMA required for qualification.  See the section above to learn about how the ‘multiples’ are applied in these calculations.

US dollar amounts illustrated in these tables use 2026 UMA rates and an exchange rate of 18 Mexican pesos to 1 US dollar. Mexican consulates may apply a different exchange rate.

* Family Unit applications are those whereby the applicant has specific family ties or roots in Mexico.

UMA 2026: $117.31 pesos.

Learn more about residency in Mexico

Mexperience publishes information and resources to help you learn about how to apply for and obtain legal residency in Mexico:

• FAQS: Obtaining Residency in Mexico via ‘Economic Solvency’
• Qualifying for residency in Mexico in 2026
• Learn about the principal routes to obtaining legal residency
• Learn about the difference between Temporary and Permanent residency
• Find the latest residency-related fees charged by Mexico’s government
• Our free Guide to Mexico Immigration encapsulates essential information about visas and residency permits for Mexico.

The figures and calculations quoted in this article are based on legally-stipulated multiples of income/savings/assets, and the exchange rate cited for US dollars.  They are provided in good faith, without warranty. For personal assistance with your application, consider requesting our associate’s Mexico Immigration Assistance Service.

Comprehensive and detailed guide to living and cultivating a lifestyle in Mexico, continually revised and updated. Free—no payment or subscription needed.

Complete and detailed guide to Living & Lifestyles in Mexico that’s continually updated

Our extensive guides and articles offer insights to anyone exploring prospects for living, working, retirement and cultivating your lifestyle in Mexico.

They provide practical insights, incisive local knowledge, and meaningful guidance that helps you to discover opportunities, consider your choices, and make informed decisions.

Discover what lifestyles Mexico offers, identify opportunities of interest to you, weight up the compromises, consider your options, and plot a course based on the things that are important to you.

Guides to lifestyles in Mexico, for all life stages

Our continually-updated guides help you to begin weaving together the key components which create a workable and realistic lifestyle plan in Mexico, whatever planning stage and life stage you are in presently:

• To those considering a move to Mexico, whether you are single, with your partner, or a family with young children, Mexperience helps you to discover the country and evaluate living and lifestyle choices available here.  Our guides also offer thoughtful guidance about setting out your intentions and reshaping your situations.
• To those planning their retirement or seeking a place to retire, Mexperience guides provide specific guidance about matters related to retirement planning and retirement lifestyles, as well as the practicalities of retiring in Mexico.
• When you’re already living in Mexico, our guides and articles provide practical insights that help you to settle-in, adapt, and cultivate your new lifestyle here day-to-day.
• Regardless of your life stage, the information we publish provides meaningful insights about the essential day-to-day practical matters of living in Mexico, adapting to the country, the climates and culture, and more—with extensive cross references and links to further information and helpful contacts who can help you to realize your Mexico plans.

Planning or redefining your lifestyle in Mexico

Obtain practical insights, get incisive local knowledge and meaningful guidance that helps you to consider opportunities, weigh up your choices, and make informed decisions about planning or redefining your lifestyle in Mexico.

Mexico as a place for your retirement

We publish comprehensive information to help you plan a retirement here, whether you’re planning ahead or already retired and considering Mexico as a potential retirement haven.

Exploring locations and finding a place to live in Mexico

Our extensive articles help you to consider key aspects as you explore your options and make choices about your lifestyle and potential location types in Mexico.

Getting your residency permit for Mexico

Mexico’s immigration laws are reasonable and allow non-Mexicans with the financial means or family roots, and/or skills, to live here legally. We publish extensive knowledge to help you, including:

Moving and settling-in to life in Mexico

When you’ve decided to move to Mexico and made key decisions about where and how you’ll live, there’s the move a period of adapting and settling-in.  We publish extensive guides and articles to help you settle.

Learn how to keep in touch when you’re in Mexico

Our guides include detailed information about how to keep in touch when you’re in Mexico: by phone, by internet, as well as using postal and courier services here.  Our local knowledge helps you to choose a mobile phone plan, explore choices for high speed internet in Mexico (even if you live in a remote area) and our cost of living guide includes a section about the cost of communications services.

Detailed insights into the practicalities of living in Mexico day-to-day

Our articles and guides also include comprehensive insights about day to day living in Mexico that help you to plan your lifestyle, settle-in, and make the most of your life and activities in Mexico.

Mexico’s living costs and managing your finances

Financial considerations are an important aspect of any move.  Mexperience helps you to calculate your cost of living in Mexico and offers practical tips for managing your money and finances here.

Mexico as a place for working-age professionals

Working-age professionals, especially those plying a trade in the knowledge economy, are also considering Mexico as a base to live and work.

And more… resources for Living & Lifestyle in Mexico

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Our resources include:

• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free
• Regularly-updated articles about lifestyle planning  in Mexico
• Insights about day to day living with Mexico Home Life

In recent years Mexico has experienced increasing interest from people seeking legal residency in the country.  The boom is driven in good part by demographics: the large number of Americans reaching retirement age —and those nearing retirement— are the largest group of applicants.  People in middle age with transferrable skills are also choosing to relocate to Mexico to live and work.

The attractions of relocating to Mexico are well documented on these pages, and the country’s immigration rules have hitherto made the country accessible to people with modest incomes in retirement. The country’s proximity to the United States makes it an attractive option for middle-age professionals too.

Key legislative changes tighten criteria

Two key pieces of legislation have set a stage for tighter qualification criteria and higher costs to obtain foreign residency in Mexico starting January 1, 2026.

Updated legal guidelines

In July 2025, Mexico’s government published updated guidelines to the country’s immigration rules. A significant change in that included the abandonment of using multiples of Minimum Daily Wage in qualification criteria and adopting multiples of UMAs.

However, the new guideless increased the multiples required to qualify—thus rebasing the minimum amount of income or savings required in comparison to the multiples set out in the original 2012 law. This article describes those changes; the net effect is that you’ll need more income or savings to qualify for residency now.

We don’t yet know by how much the qualification criteria will increase in 2026, but it’s likely to be at least in line with official inflation, currently estimated at around 4%. We’ll publish the 2026 criteria as soon as they become available on our guide to financial criteria for residency.

Increased residency card fees

In the autumn of 2025, Mexico’s Congress passed a law calling for a doubling of the government processing fees for foreign residency visas/cards.  The Senate subsequently passed the motion, and on November 7, 2025, a revised schedule of 2026 fees was published, confirming that 2025 foreign residency card fees would rise by 100%. In previous years, these fees rose in line with official inflation.

Applicants who are applying via Family Unit (that includes those married to Mexicans or to existing foreign residents in Mexico), and those applying under the auspice of a company job offer, are given a 50% discount on the 2026 fees.

The 2026 fee increase abruptly breaks the long-held pattern of official inflation-rate rises for residency fees and has thus increased the total typical fees for the ‘five-year journey’ from Temporary to Permanent residency per applicant from around $25,000 pesos now (U$1,350) to over $50,000 pesos per applicant (US$2,700).

We don’t yet know if ancillary fees related to residency cards, e.g., card replacement fees, and other ad-hoc processing fees, will rise in line with inflation or whether they too will be doubled.  We’ll know more when the INM publishes its tariff schedule in January 2026.

Other criteria are tightening too

Our associates report, based on their experience of assisting applicants, that procedures at immigration offices are also being tightened, and timescales for processing some types of applications are taking longer. Lead times for appointments have also been lengthening.

Applications in Mexico for residency based on Family Unit, which until this year were being processed and completed within a week, are now taking considerably longer to process. Immigration officials are now routinely making home visits as part of these applications.  Some applicants have waited 2-3 months for their cases to complete.

As we mentioned in a sister article, immigration offices in some Mexican states are now routinely asking for proof of residential address in Mexico—and our associates are experiencing some cases where at least two pieces of documentary evidence are being asked for, e.g. a utility bill and a rental contract.

In summary

If you are intending to apply for residency in Mexico from 2026, or intending to renew your existing Temporary residency status, expect economic qualification criteria to rise (you will need more income or savings to qualify); qualification criteria generally to tighten (e.g. you might need to prove your address); and expect to pay higher government fees for the processing of your application.

Now that the pattern of ‘inflation only’ fee-increases has been broken, we can no longer be as confident about forecasting likely future rises in residency fees and other criteria.

Learn more about Mexico visas and immigration

Mexperience publishes extensive information about visas and immigration to Mexico, including:

• Discover the principal routes for obtaining legal residency in Mexico
• How to apply for residency in Mexico
• Financial criteria for residency in Mexico
• Our free Mexico Immigration Guide that encapsulates detailed information about applying for visas and residency permits.
• Our latest articles about visas and immigration keep you apprised of current situations including financial criteria for residency, fees, and procedures—and our FAQs page is updated regularly.

Until recently, all of Mexico’s immigration offices accepted residency filings without applicants routinely demonstrating their proof of address in Mexico. Only in cases where the filing was unclear or suspect in some way would evidence of an address be sought as part of additional information requested at the time of filing.

Proof of residency now routinely required at some immigration offices

Our immigration associates are advising us that several immigration offices are now routinely asking applicants to show proof of a residential address in Mexico when filing for the following procedures:

• Exchanging a residency visa for a residency card.
• Renewal of an existing residency card.
• Applying for a change from temporary residency to permanent residency.
• Notifications of a change of address.
• Applying for replacement of a lost/damaged residency card.

Office locations requiring proof of address

Any immigration office may ask any applicant for proof of address when they file, but immigration offices in some locations are now routinely asking for proof of address.

At present, we know the following offices are routinely asking applicants for this:

• Immigration offices in the State of Oaxaca including Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido.
• Immigration offices in the State of Quintana Roo, including Cancún, Chetumal, Playa del Carmen, and the island of Cozumel.

If you intend to file at an office in one of these States, be prepared to show evidence of your proof of address in Mexico.

We do not know if or when immigration offices in other Mexican states will routinely ask for proof of address when filing residency-related procedures.

Immigration offices in other Mexican states/locations not listed above might also ask for proof of address ad-hoc, and you should be prepared to show the evidence if they they ask for it (see next section).

We’ll keep this article updated as new information becomes available.

Type of evidence required

If the immigration office you attend asks for proof of address when you file your application, they will indicate what forms of evidence are acceptable.

Most typically evidence is accepted through presentation of at least one of the following documents:

• A utility bill—electricity, water, or fixed-line telephone bill. It must be current; issued within the last two months.
• A home rental contract that must be current with the tenant’s name matching the applicant’s, signed by the property owner and the tenant, and the document might have to be notarized.
• Proof of residential property ownership in Mexico; document might have to be notarized.
• A bank statement from a bank account held in Mexico, in the name of the applicant, showing the applicant’s full address.

Most typically, a Utility bill may suffice, but our associates have dealt with cases where a Utility bill and a rental contract or proof of property ownership is requested.  Be prepared to provide additional evidence if it’s called for.

Learn more about Mexico visas and residency

Mexperience publishes extensive information about visas and immigration to Mexico, including:

• Time limits on Mexico visitor visas and residency permits
• Discover the principal routes for obtaining legal residency in Mexico
• Our free and regularly-updated Guide to Mexico Immigration encapsulates detailed information about applying for visas and residency permits
• Read our latest articles about residency and visas in Mexico

The annual survey is a barometer of current perceptions as expressed by Internations’ members who are primarily foreign expats situated across the world, including those in Mexico.

Measure twice, cut once

These surveys help to raise awareness about certain places and offer some helpful snapshots concerning the current mood among those seeking or living lifestyles abroad, and the criteria measured for selecting the best destinations —quality of life, ease of settlement, and cost of living, etc. —are valid and universal attractions of living anywhere.

Moving overseas is a significant commitment of yours and your family’s time, resources, energy, and emotions, and your reasons for moving to any place abroad ought to be considered with careful deliberations founded on your core lifestyle intentions.

Consider what you’re seeking from a lifestyle in Mexico

Mexico offers genuine substance and value to foreign residents, and to figure out what you’re seeking from a new lifestyle here, it’s helpful to define your intentions and consider whether Mexico is right for you—and your partner and family, if relevant.

To achieve this, you need to step back from the idealistic portrayals often espoused by those ‘living the dream’ narratives so often seen published and:

• take a mindful pause and define your lifestyle intentions;
• consider what matters are important to you and those close to you;
• overlay those things with what Mexico offers for living and lifestyle; and
• consider how you’ll navigate the compromises you’ll inevitably have to make when you come and live here.

Lifestyle planning requires focus and support

You can never plan for every potential outcome, but having a clear idea about your core intentions will give you an anchor that you can return to through the inevitable periods of uncertainty and doubt that will arise as you move and settle-in to a new and different life situation in Mexico.

The matter of considering and defining your lifestyle intentions, and how Mexico does or does not fit well with those, is an important and substantial subject that is covered in-depth in our detailed articles about living and retirement in Mexico—see links below to get started.

A wealth of local knowledge, resources, and connections

When you’re exploring the possibilities that Mexico offers, Mexperience provides a comprehensive online resource that enables you to discover opportunities and temper the unbridled enthusiasm that’s sometimes painted by idealistic notions of living abroad.

The information we publish and share helps you to make considered choices, formulate a plan, and shows how you can realize that plan through constructive and sustainable changes in lifestyle.

Begin exploring your choices for a new and different life in Mexico:

• Key factors to consider as you plan your lifestyle in Mexico
• Latest articles and insights about Mexico lifestyle planning
• Key resources for planning a new lifestyle in Mexico
• Exploring potential locations to live in Mexico
• Learn about acquiring legal residency in Mexico
• Our Home Life section shares detailed practical insights about day-to-day living matters in Mexico

Obtaining assistance

Our associates provide helpful assistance services which provide key support for your Mexico lifestyle plans.  These include:

• Immigration assistance when you need help with your with your residency permits.
• Insurance services – mitigate the effects of unforeseen events with coverages for your vehicle, home, health and travel.
• Professional services – when you need counsel or advice about property, commercial or legal matters in Mexico.
• Real estate assistance – when you need help finding a property in Mexico.
• Spanish language study – obtain help when you want to learn or improve your Spanish.
• Leisure time – with Mexico on your doorstep, our travel associates can help you see more of it with carefully crafted custom tours that help you to make the most of your leisure time.