Moving To Chile From The UK

Moving to Chile

Whether you are moving to Santiago, Concepción or Valparaíso, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your individual needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Chile Foreign citizens with a visa or work permit or Chilean citizens with more than five years abroad can import up to US$5,000 duty free. Chilean citizens who have been abroad for more than one year, can import belongings up to US$3,000 duty free.  Your local Britannia member will be able to provide you with detailed customs regulations. To import your household effects to Chile, you will need your passport, a detailed inventory, a customs declaration and a work permit or visa.
	Chile Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Chile Sole-use containers take on average 8 – 9 weeks, while crated consignments may take longer, on average 9 – 10 weeks when moving to Chile.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Chile All groupage consignments will be barcoded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Chile with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Moving Motor Vehicles to Chile Duties can be very high, and are based on year, model, make and purchase value. Only returning Chilean citizens may import used vehicles. It is thus not recommended to import your motor vehicle to Chile.
	Chile Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International Payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Chile with Britannia

Your Move to Chile with Britannia – Britannia can offer you a door-to-door service to Chile, and can either ship your effects by sole use container, or for smaller shipments in a wooden crate. We also offer a door-to-door airfreight service to some destinations across Chile. Our agents in Valparaiso will arrange customs clearance and deliver and unpack the effects.

Additional Removal Services – If you require additional removal services when moving to Chile, Britannia is authorised to provide comprehensive insurance, and arrange international storage or pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Chile, find you can request a removals quote, read about our international removals, or contact us for more information.

Living in Chile

Chile is one of the fastest growing economies in South America, and can not only boast political stability, safety, and a corruption-free government, but can also offer a great deal in terms of culture that combines South American and European influences. The picturesque capital, Santiago is one of the metropolitan centres of the South American continent, with a modern infrastructure and cosmopolitan culture. The coastal town, Valparaiso is an hour away from Santiago, and if you want to move even closer to Chile’s natural wonders, the south, with its labyrinths of fjords, islands, and peninsulas would be the perfect choice.

Chile is located in South America, occupying the long narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and borders Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Chile is one of the most prosperous and stable nations in Latin America, ranking high for human development, economic competitiveness, democratic development and freedom of press. It is also the first South American country to join the OECD, and is a member of the United Nations. While economic inequality is rather high, Chile can also boast an excellent and affordable health care system and a high quality education system with both public and private institutions.

Whether you’re moving to Chile to retire, experience a new lifestyle or for professional reasons, you’ll most probably find the transition rather easy. Chile’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes offer an exciting expat experience, and you’ll find the locals friendly and welcoming which will definitely make integration easier.

Chile Visas

If you want to stay in Chile for more than 90 days, you’ll need a visa. There are various types of visas to choose from depending on the reason of your stay.

If you want to work in Chile, you’ll need a work visa. For this, you’ll need a job offer from a Chilean employer. They’ll act as your sponsor for your visa application and will need to provide proof of your employment contract. This visa will typically be valid for two years, and is renewable.

If you have lived in Chile for at least two years under a temporary visa, or if you are directly related to a Chilean citizen, you can apply for permanent residency. This will give you the right to live and work in Chile indefinitely.

Most Chilean visas will be submitted online through the Chilean Immigration Department website. You’ll usually need a valid passport, a completed application form, a recent passport-sized photograph and proof of purpose, such as a job offer or study acceptance letter. You’ll also need a criminal record certificate. Processing times can vary but can sometimes take a few months, so you should plan accordingly. Once your visa is approved, you’ll need to register with the Chilean Civil Registry (Registro Civil) once you arrive in the country.

Working in Chile

Chile offers a variety of job opportunities for UK expats, particularly in sectors like mining, education, tourism, and finance. The country is the world’s largest producer of copper, so the mining industry is a significant employer, and often attracts engineers and professionals with technical expertise. English teaching is also a popular choice for expats, and there is a high demand for native English speakers in schools, universities, and private language institutes. Plus, roles in tourism, especially in regions like Patagonia and the Atacama Desert, are common, as are positions in multinational companies headquartered in Santiago, Chile’s capital and economic hub.

The working culture in Chile tends to be formal and hierarchical, with a strong respect for authority. Punctuality will be valued in business settings, although meetings often begin with small talk to build rapport. It’s essential to network and build personal relationships for career growth, and business communication is typically polite and indirect. The work-life balance can vary depending on the industry, but family remains central to Chilean culture, and many companies recognise its importance.

Cost of Living in Chile

While compared to other Latin American countries, Chile could seem expensive, living and housing costs will still be lower than in many parts of Western Europe. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Chile is 40% lower than in the UK, not including rent. Rent costs alone are nearly 65% lower in Chile than in the UK. The average salary in Chile is around 77% lower than in the UK, but this will vary depending on your role and industry.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Chile below. Prices are shown in Chilean Peso ($) and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Chile

• Chile is the longest north-south country in the world – while it is only 175 km broad, it is over 4000 km in length.
• Chile is one of the world’s largest wine producers, renowned for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Sauvignon Blanc.
• Chileans call their country the “country of poets” (pais de poetas) – Chile is the birthplace of two Nobel Prize-winning poets: Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, both celebrated for their contributions to literature.
• There are over 1000 volcanoes in Chile, and a few of them are still active.
• The Atacama Desert, located in northern Chile is often regarded as the driest desert in the world, and some weather stations there have never recorded rainfall.
• Thanks to its clear skies and low light pollution, Chile is a global hub for astronomy, with several major observatories located in the Atacama Desert.

Choose Britannia for Your Chile Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Chile and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a removals quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.