Why Ecuador is the best country for expats
     1. Ecuador uses the US dollar, and only the US dollar
     2. The gift that keeps on giving: the US dollar again, for how far it goes!
     3. Ecuador has world-class health care, in addition to just "good health" too
     4. Climate and biodiversity galore: ooh, ahh, how did nature bless you so much?
     5. World-class infrastructure and technology (hint: Wi-Fi is everywhere)
     6. Culture, in addition to opening the eyes of the rest of the world
     7. No wars, no terrorism, no extremists, no hurricanes, low crime rate, etc.!

Buy property and immigrate to Ecuador as a retiree (early)
This is how retirement triumphs in a beautiful backdrop of the Andes Mountains
Impressive nature in a small space: migrating to Ecuador as a pensioner brings with it many natural beauties. Wildly covered Amazon jungle, snow-capped volcanoes and right next door: the last animal paradise of the Galapagos Islands.
The country on the equator is the ultimate retirement country for retirees. Retirees can easily obtain a visa. A consistent climate and low cost of living are just two of the many reasons to emigrate. Retirees here enjoy benefits that one can only dream of in Europe.

It sounds promising.
As an emigrant to Ecuador, you still need to take a realistic look at everyday life here. Above all, your own language skills. Nothing works here without Spanish. Read here why Ecuador, despite its status as a developing country, is one of the 10 most popular retirement destinations and what you should consider before emigrating.
Emigrate to Ecuador as a pensioner.

A country straight out of a picture book: the idea of emigrating to Ecuador as a pensioner is a dream destination for many older people. Just because of the weather. Thanks to its location on the equator, this is constant. In the coastal regions, the average annual temperature is 30 degrees during the day and drops to a pleasant 20 degrees at night. In the Andes Mountains, temperatures are different again: at 2,500 meters above sea level, they hover around 20 degrees during the day and a cool 8 degrees at night. There are no seasons as we know them. Instead, a distinction is made between rainy and dry seasons in Ecuador.

For nature lovers, Ecuador is a true El Dorado. With 15 million inhabitants and smaller than Italy, it is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. The incomparable landscape of the Andes with its unique flora and fauna is particularly impressive. With a bit of luck, you can even swim with sea lions in the sea. A different kind of idyllic landscape can be found in the originally indigenous markets: colourful, diverse and set against a picturesque mountain backdrop. The big cities and small towns also invite you to stroll with their colonial charm. There are many cheap shopping opportunities, as well as the best restaurants offering delicious local dishes at unbeatable prices.

It's not just food and beverage expenses that are low. You can get everything you need for life here for little money. Many retirees who have emigrated, therefore, deal with a domestic service or a chauffeur. Even real estate is extremely cheap compared to Europe. And this despite the fact that prices have risen in recent years thanks to economic growth.

What also feeds the idea of emigrating to Ecuador: There are attractive discounts for all those over 65: For example, pensioners receive a 50% discount on cultural and sports events, as well as on the price of electricity and water . Seniors also only pay half the price of international flights purchased in Ecuador. By the way: retirees are not used to queuing at places like airports or banks.

For retirees who have a soft spot for South America, Ecuador is an interesting and affordable domicile. Anyone who is open to the conditions there knows that a developing country like Ecuador cannot be a reliable oasis of retirement in all respects. Social contrasts and, depending on the region, a less developed infrastructure are sometimes noticeable. Therefore, it is worth conducting a thorough check of medical care. It is not at the same level everywhere.

Emigrate to Ecuador as a pensioner?
You must first deal with the following topics:

  Is the health system, which has been reduced according to European standards, enough for you?
  Do you get along with the local hygiene regulations, the feeling of protecting the environment and the customs of the administrative apparatus?
  Can you speak and write Spanish, the national language of Ecuador?
  If circumstances require it: Is it possible to return to your old country of origin?
  What personal things do you want to take with you to your new home and how do you transport them?
  Do you know the typical setbacks that emigrants usually face?

Entry and visa requirements for pensioners
So that emigrating to Ecuador is worry-free

Many dream of retiring in the sun. Do you know the requirements you have to meet to emigrate to Ecuador as a pensioner? Entry is absolutely hassle-free. You do not need a visa as long as you stay there for no more than three months. Only your passport must be valid for six months upon entry. The country offers a special pensioner visa for older people. If you can prove a monthly pension payment of almost 700 euros from your country of origin, you can stay in Ecuador permanently. However, the long wait times for an expat visa often dampen the euphoria. Even if all the documents are complete, approval may take 1-2 months. If you have any questions about the correct visa application, you will receive updated information either from the Ecuadorian consulate or, of course, from us.

Source:  https://50plusabroad.ch/ecuador/

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The small country of Ecuador is located in the northwestern corner of South America, bordering Colombia to the north, Peru to the south and east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. At just 283,561 km², the country is slightly smaller than Italy in terms of area and has only 15 million inhabitants. Despite its compact dimensions, the country offers a wide variety of landscapes. The four very different main regions are the Andean highlands, the coastal region, the Amazon region and the Galapagos Islands which are 1,000 km from the coast.

One drawback is certainly the long and expensive journey from Europe. There are no direct flights from Germany and several stopovers are usually necessary (eg Frankfurt - Madrid - Quito - Cuenca). Therefore, the flight time is at least 20 hours, although the travel time can also be significantly longer due to poor connections. The prices of the flights are usually 1,000 euros and more.

One of the main reasons for Ecuador's popularity is the low cost of living. In terms of gross domestic product, Ecuador is one of the poorest countries in South America. Life in Ecuador is significantly cheaper than in the United States or Europe. A fully equipped apartment in the historic center of Cuenca can be rented for 300-400 euros per month and prices for shopping, dining out and public transport are also significantly cheaper than in this country.

Ecuador also offers a series of discounts to residents over 65 years of age. Pensioners only pay half price on public transport. In addition, older people receive reduced tickets to cultural and sporting events and additional expenses (electricity...) are also reduced. Flight prices are also significantly cheaper on some routes (with Latin American airlines).

The monthly cost of living is less than 1,000 euros per person. Couples can live comfortably from 1,500 euros. However, not everything in the country is cheap. Goods to be imported (eg cars, electronics, furniture...) may be more expensive than in Europe.
Mild climate in the highlands

In addition to the low cost of living, the climate of the mountains is one of the main reasons for the attractiveness of Ecuador. The climate in the Andes is temperate all year round. Due to its proximity to the equator, there are no major temperature fluctuations throughout the year and residents enjoy spring-like weather. The daily average temperature is a pleasant 21 degrees. Instead of a seasonal climate, only a distinction is made between a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season is from May to October, which is also the best time to travel to Ecuador. Due to the proximity to the equator, there are always many hours of sunshine throughout the year.
visa options

Like Panama, Ecuador offers a special pensioner visa (called 60-III). People who receive a monthly pension payment of at least 800 US dollars (approx. 676 euros - as of July 2021) from their home countries can use it to settle permanently in Ecuador. An additional monthly income of $100 is required for each additional dependent.

There are also other visa options, for example for investors who want to buy a property in Ecuador (minimum property value: 25,000 dollars).
health insurance

Since there is no social security agreement between Germany and Ecuador, emigrants in Ecuador must take out private medical insurance.

Ecuador is a very poor country and medical care in rural areas is very poor. In the big cities like Quito and Cuenca there are private clinics that can compete with European clinics in terms of standard. Many of the doctors who practice there were trained in the United States, Europe or Cuba. Treatment costs are significantly cheaper than in Europe. A visit to a general practitioner, for example, only costs around €25, while a visit to a specialist can cost up to €70. Health insurance from a South American insurance company can be purchased for as little as $100 a month.

pension payment
The German Pension Insurance (DRV) can transfer the pension to an account in Germany or an account in Ecuador, depending on personal preferences. However, with a direct pension payment to an account in Ecuador, significant losses are expected due to 1) bank fees and 2) currency conversions. These costs can amount to up to 5 percent of the amount of the pension and must always be borne by the beneficiary of the pension.

Anyone who first pays the pension into a German giro account and transfers the money to Ecuador yourself can save a lot of money compared to a direct transfer to Ecuador by DRV. Using specialized payment service providers such as Wise (test report), the costs of international transfers can be significantly reduced (see the article "Pension payments abroad").

Conclution
For like-minded people in South America, Ecuador is an interesting and affordable destination for retirement. However, it must be taken into account that it is a developing country with great social contrasts. Outside of the big cities, there is also poor health care and infrastructure is underdeveloped. If you are considering a retirement home in Ecuador, you should definitely explore the country in more detail beforehand.

Source: https://www.auswandern-handbuch.de/auswandern-nach-ecuador/