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South America

Chile flag Chile

#28 of 203 overall#17 of 203 for you~$1290/mo (single)Embed this

Chile is the most developed base in South America, with strong infrastructure, very fast internet and political stability. It costs more than its neighbours, and urban crime has risen, particularly theft and robbery in Santiago and Valparaíso, so choose neighbourhoods with care. There is no dedicated nomad visa. English is limited, and some Spanish goes a long way. Because the country is a very long, narrow strip, the right season depends on where you are: the north and Santiago are pleasant all year, while Patagonia is accessible mainly in the southern summer, from October to March. This is serious earthquake country.

Nomad quick facts

Cost (single)

$1290/mo

Cost (couple)

$2060/mo

Internet speed

393.4 Mbps

Safety

1.826 (#71 of 190)

Public transit

Strong

Best months

Oct–Mar

Digital nomad visa

Not available

Nomad score

77.8 / 100

Score breakdown

Why nomads love it

Strong infrastructure in Santiago, very fast internet, varied landscapes from desert to Patagonia, political stability.

Watch out for

Pricier than neighbouring countries, rising urban crime, limited English, earthquake risk, no nomad visa.

Cost of living in Chile

82/ 100 score

Chile offers a relatively stable and developed base in Latin America, with everyday costs that are moderate by international standards but higher than in much of the region. Santiago has the broadest range of services and connectivity, though housing can be expensive in desirable neighborhoods. Smaller cities and coastal areas such as Viña del Mar can offer a different balance of lifestyle and cost, while local markets and restaurants help keep daily spending reasonable.

Estimated monthly cost

Single

$1,290/mo

Couple

$2,060/mo

Cost score inputs

Livingcost

83/100

WB PLI

51.2

Score blends a nomad-realistic monthly cost estimate (built from livingcost.org data, adjusted for short-term nomad spending like furnished housing, coworking, and eating out) with the World Bank's Household Consumption Price Level Index, a broader cross-country cost benchmark. Countries without World Bank price-level data are scored on the livingcost estimate alone. Prices displayed in USD.

The nomad cost estimate reflects a realistic single/couple monthly budget, not a bare local cost of living — actual spending still varies with lifestyle and location within a country.

Sources: livingcost.org · World Bank Household Consumption Price Level Index · Independent nomad cost estimates

Internet in Chile

99/ 100 score

Chile leads South America in internet performance, offering ultra-fast download speeds, high upload throughput, and dependable low-latency connections.

Download speed

393.4 Mbps

Upload speed

178.7 Mbps

Latency

28.1 ms

Blends download speed (Ookla Speedtest Global Index) with upload speed and latency (Cloudflare Radar). Speeds are scored between 10 Mbps (0) and 200 Mbps (100); latency counts the opposite way — lower is better. A missing metric doesn't penalize a country, it's scored on whatever data is available.

A national average — city and neighbourhood speeds vary, especially outside major hubs.

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Sources: Ookla Speedtest Global Index · Cloudflare Radar

Safety in Chile

56/ 100 score

Chile is relatively safe by regional standards but has rising urban crime, particularly theft, robbery and carjacking; Santiago and Valparaíso require more caution, while demonstrations can disrupt transport.

Global safety rank

#71 of 190

Peace Index score

1.826 (lower = safer)

WJP Rule of Law rank

#98 of 143

WJP Rule of Law score

0.67 (higher = safer)

Gallup Law & Order rank

#93 of 119

Gallup Law & Order score

68 (higher = safer)

Blends three published safety indices: the Global Peace Index, the WJP Rule of Law Index (Order & Security factor), and the Gallup Global Law and Order Index. Places the Global Peace Index doesn't cover use our own estimate, based on regional peers and crime data. Each is rescaled 0-100 and combined with weights favoring GPI and Gallup slightly over WJP. Not every country is tracked by all three — the blend adjusts to whichever are available (weights are renormalized) rather than penalizing a country for a missing source, though a country tracked by fewer sources carries lower confidence.

As this is national average data, be aware that safety varies significantly by city and region within a country.

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Sources: Global Peace Index (Institute for Economics & Peace) · WJP Rule of Law Index (World Justice Project) · Gallup Global Law and Order Index

Tourism & infrastructure in Chile

76/ 100 score

Santiago offers the most developed infrastructure in South America, with the Andes as a backdrop and bohemian Valparaíso an easy day trip away. Chile's extreme north-south length means the Atacama Desert and Patagonia are both within the country, but reaching either from your base takes real travel time.

Happiness rank

#50 of 147

Quality of life rank

#72 of 89

Tourism development rank

#35 of 119

Within-city transit

Strong

Between-city transit

Moderate

Climate

Ranges from the arid Atacama north through a Mediterranean centre to cold, wet Patagonia; seasons reversed.

Best months: Oct–Mar

Transit

Chile's transit is led by Santiago's Metro, one of South America's largest and most modern, integrated with buses via the Bip! card. Other cities rely on buses and colectivos. Intercity travel is dominated by a comfortable, extensive long-distance bus network, with limited rail and domestic flights spanning the long country. Santiago is walkable and well-connected.

A weighted blend of published indices: the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index (weighted highest — the strongest predictor of appeal), Numbeo's Quality of Life Index, the World Happiness Report, Gallup's day-to-day enjoyment data, the EF English Proficiency Index, and a public transit assessment covering both within-city and between-city transport. Not every country is scored on all six — the blend adjusts to whichever are available rather than penalizing a country for a missing one.

Sources: WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index · Numbeo Quality of Life Index · World Happiness Report · Gallup · EF English Proficiency Index · Public transit assessment

Chile visa and entry rules for digital nomads

Tourist entry — USA passport

Visa-free — 90 days

Tourism Visa Note

Even though visa-free, you'll receive an entry record (tarjeta de turismo) at the border, on paper or digital — keep it, since hotels and customs may ask to see it later in your trip.

Working remotely in Chile on tourist entry

Not permitted on paper

Work of any kind, including remote work, is permitted only with a standard work visa, according to EY's July 2026 global guide. Source

In practice

No reports of enforcement against remote workers found (checked October 2026).

Staying longer

A 90-day extension is requested online at least 30 days before the permit expires and costs about USD 100. Source

Border runs and re-entry

Leaving and re-entering usually gives visa-exempt nationals a new permit, though officers can refuse entry if they suspect a person is living in Chile. Source

Last checked October 2026About this information

Digital nomad visa

No dedicated digital-nomad route

Other long-stay options

Temporary Residence Permit, Permanent Residence Permit

Visa and entry requirements can change. Check the latest information from official government sources before travelling; eligibility, documents and permitted activities depend on your nationality and personal circumstances.

Tax & residency in Chile

Tax-residency timing

More than 183 days

How the day count works

More than 183 cumulative days in any 12-month period, consecutive or intermittent; residence may also arise from demonstrated intent to remain.

Other residency triggers

A demonstrated disposition or intention to remain in Chile can establish residence without waiting for the day-count threshold.

Remote work before residence

May be taxable. Fees for services carried out in Chile may be Chile-source before residence, even when paid abroad; treaty provisions and income type can affect the result.

If you become tax resident

Residents are generally taxed on worldwide income. Foreign nationals with Chilean domicile or residence generally have a three-year initial period limited to Chile-source income, subject to statutory exceptions.

What this usually means for nomads

More than 183 days in a 12-month period or an established intention to remain can create Chilean tax residence. Services performed in Chile may be taxable there before residence, even when paid from abroad; foreign nationals generally have an initial three-year period in which only Chile-source income is taxed. Longer stays, a local home or plans to settle increase the risk.

Tax rules can change and depend on your residency status, income structure, time spent in the country and applicable tax treaties. This information is general only and is not financial or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional before relying on it.

Top cities for nomads in Chile

Santiago has the best infrastructure and an Andean backdrop, along with smog and sprawl. Valparaíso is a colourful port city with a creative scene, and Pucón and Puerto Varas are Lake District towns for the outdoors.

SantiagoCapital

Capital & largest; best infra & business hub, Andes backdrop, but smoggy & sprawling.

ValparaísoPopular

Colourful bohemian port; street art, hills, creative scene; gritty in parts.

PucónHidden Gem

Lake District adventure hub; volcano, hot springs, rafting & skiing.

Puerto VarasHidden Gem

Lakeside town; German heritage, volcano views, calm & scenic.

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