Chile — Living: Major Cities

Why this matters

Relocating to Chile's major cities can provide access to high-quality education, job opportunities, and cultural experiences, but careful planning is necessary to manage the associated costs.

Key facts

• The 2024 census counted 18,480,432 people, 5.2% more than in 2017.
• The Metropolitan Region, which contains Santiago, had 7,400,741 people, 40% of those enumerated.
• The Valparaíso Region had 1,896,053 people, 10.3% of the total.
• Valparaíso growth figures differ between releases (6.3% and 4.4%), and the counts are for regions rather than cities.

Steps

1. Obtaining a residence permit — Foreigners need to apply for a residence permit (permiso de residencia) at the relevant Chilean embassy or consulate in their home country. The permit is usually valid for a year and can be renewed. A valid passport, proof of income, and health insurance are typically required.