Chile
A slender ribbon of land where the Atacama desert meets Patagonia’s glaciers, all framed by the Pacific.
Overview
Chile stretches along South America’s western edge, binding the stark Atacama desert in the north with the icy fjords of Patagonia in the south. Spanish is the common tongue, while Santiago’s urban dynamism contrasts with remote island archipelagos and world‑renowned wine valleys, offering diverse lifestyles within one nation.
At a glance
Language
- Spanish(Official)
Population19,458,000
CurrencyChilean Peso (CLP)
1 CLP = 0.001087 USD
1 USD = 919.68 CLP
Popular places
Chile
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerWeaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of Life IndexStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
Healthcare IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexElevatedSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexLimitedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Citizenship, Investor, Business Residence, and 6 more.
Citizenship
- Carta de Nacionalizacion
Chilean citizenship by Carta de Nacionalizacion for qualifying permanent residents.
Investor
- Investors and Related Personnel Temporary Residence
Temporary residence for foreign investors, legal representatives, senior managers, or specialized technical personnel linked to a qualifying foreign investment in Chile.
- 2 years, renewable
- Path to residency
Business Residence
- Multiple-Entry Business Temporary Residence
Temporary residence subcategory for regular executive or managerial visits related to business or investments held by companies in Chile.
- Renewable
- Limited work rights
Languages
- Spanish(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Chile.
Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise a high degree of caution in Chile due to ongoing demonstrations, civil unrest and crime.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
Advisory effective · Verified
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for Chile. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise increased caution in Chile due to crime, unrest, and health. Crime Petty crime is common in Chile. Common crimes include mugging, pickpocketing, and theft. Violent crimes also occur, including assaults, homicide, carjackings, and residential break-ins. Unrest Large-scale demonstrations may occur in Santiago and other cities in Chile. Demonstrations can take place with little or no notice. Demonstrations often result in disruptions to transportation, including public buses and Santiago metro services. Health The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Travelers’ Health Notice for Andes virus (Hantavirus) in the region. The risk for most travelers is extremely low.
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