Plan Your Move to Mexico
Five tools take you from researching to ready: visa navigator, budget tool, tax residency check, retirement town finder and TIP & driving planner. Built for Americans, current for 2026.
Updated October 2026
By Bruno Bianchi, CEO of Spainguru (225,000+ community members) · Updated October 2026
Still deciding on Mexico?
Compare Mexico with the other destinations Americans shortlist.
Best countries 2026 · U.S.–Mexico tax treaty · Retiring in Mexico
Choose visa, budget, town and tax setup
The five tools below, then the matching guide. Most people need the visa navigator and the budget tool first.
Land and settle
INM canje, CURP, RFC, a bank account, IMSS or private insurance.
Moving checklist · Get your RFC · Get your CURP · Trusted partners
The five tools
Each tool ends with the guide and the partner for that step.
Find Your Mexican Visa
Six questions on income, savings, stay length and family.
Open the tool →Budget toolPlan Your Mexico Budget
Estimate your real monthly cost of living in San Miguel de Allende, Mérida, Lake Chapala, Mexico City or the Pacific coast, by household size and lifestyle.
Open the tool →Tax residency checkMexico Tax Residency Check
Five questions to see whether you would count as a Mexican tax resident.
Open the tool →Retirement town finderFind Your Mexican Retirement Town
Climate, walkability, healthcare access, expat community size, English-speaking ease and beach versus colonial.
Open the tool →TIP & driving plannerTIP and Driving Planner
Vehicle type, length of stay, residency status and crossing point decide whether you need a Temporary Import Permit from Banjercito and which Mexican insurance to carry.
Open the tool →Ask people who already moved
The Move in Mexico Facebook group: Americans sharing consulate thresholds, INM appointment dates, TIP experiences, prices and on-the-ground tips, moderated by Bruno.
Join the group →Disclaimer: general information for U.S. citizens living or planning to live in Mexico — not tax, legal, financial or immigration advice. Financial requirements are indicative 2026 figures: Mexican consulates apply different thresholds, documentation rules and exchange rates, and the UMA they are based on changes every year. Always confirm the requirements with the consulate handling your application, and tax questions with the IRS, SAT or a qualified professional before acting.