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Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Uruguayan passport
Uruguayan citizens can get a passport for international travel.
They can also travel to MERCOSUR states and associated states with an Uruguayan identity card.
Live in Uruguay for life
Uruguayan citizens can live in Uruguay without renewing an immigration permit.
Citizenship itself does not need periodic renewal.
Live and work in 9 countries
Study in Uruguay
Uruguayan citizens can access public services, including education, on the same nationality basis as other Uruguayan citizens.
Work in Uruguay
Uruguayan citizens can work in Uruguay without a foreigner's work permit.
Legal citizens must wait 3 years after their citizenship document is granted for public employment, and some jobs have extra requirements.
Get help abroad
Uruguayan consulates can help after accidents or disasters, contact relatives and help citizens who are detained.
They can issue passports, legalise documents, help protect children and people unable to care for themselves, and direct citizens to legal, medical or document-certification help.
Vote and run for office
Uruguayan citizens can vote and run for office%20Anexo%20Normativo/II/Constituci%C3%B3n%20-%20art.%2073%20al%2085%20y%20322%20al%20331.pdf) from age 18, though some offices have extra requirements.
Most legal citizens must wait 3 years after their citizenship document is granted to exercise these rights.
They can then present it to get a voting credential.
Use public healthcare
Uruguayan citizens living in Uruguay can use the national health system.
Coverage is available to residents through the applicable public, mutual or private arrangements.
How to apply
Applying in MontevideoApplying in Montevideo
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the electoral office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment with the Corte Electoral in Montevideo. Choose “Solicitud de Ciudadanía Legal y Certificado de Residencia” and enter the requested details.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your required documents to the Corte Electoral in Montevideo and hand in your application.
Find the electoral officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I attend my Carta de ciudadanía appointment in Montevideo, Uruguay?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Corte Electoral to decide on your application. Answer any questions and provide any additional records it asks for.
See how decisions workSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Carta de ciudadanía decision take in Uruguay?”
Get your voter card
After your Carta is granted, wait three years and then present it to obtain your voter card, called a credencial cívica. You can then register to vote.
Find out howSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a credencial cívica after receiving a Carta de ciudadanía in Uruguay?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate *
Bring your marriage certificate. It can be a certificate from Uruguay’s civil registry for a marriage in Uruguay or a foreign marriage registered there, or a qualifying foreign marriage document.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership court decision *
Bring the court decision declaring your partnership. An informal partnership declaration is not a substitute for the court decision.
* Only if you rely on a partnership rather than marriage.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationLiving and support certificate *
A certificate can confirm that your spouse or partner lives with you and that you support them. Ask your electoral office how to have these facts certified.
* Only if your electoral office asks you to certify that your spouse or partner lives with you and is supported by you.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Voting and registration
Citizens must register to vote%20Anexo%20Normativo/II/Constituci%C3%B3n%20-%20art.%2073%20al%2085%20y%20322%20al%20331.pdf) and vote in elections.
Living abroad does not by itself remove these duties.
Citizenship can be lost
Legal citizenship is lost if you later become a citizen of another country by naturalising.
Political rights can be suspended for physical or mental incapacity, a sentence, prosecution for an offence punishable by prison, or habitual conduct the law calls dishonourable.
For legal citizens, violent or violence-inciting anti-constitutional groups and losing good conduct can also lead to suspension.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/uruguay
Spanish Reddit group for people interested in Uruguayan local life
Join on Redditr/monte_video
Reddit group for people interested in Uruguayan local life
Join on Redditr/LegalUruguay
Spanish Reddit group for people interested in Uruguayan local life
Join on RedditConsultation
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