Peru, Arequipa
🇵🇪

Peru

One of the fastest passports in Latin America: naturalisation after 2 years today, after 5 once the new law takes effect.

Tax system
Worldwide income 😟: global income taxed
Naturalisation
2 years (soon 5)
2 yrs from the first residence under Ley 26574; 5 yrs once Ley 32421 is in force
Ley 32421 raises the period to 5 years and requires an annual income of 10 UIT. It applies from the day after its Reglamento is published, which had not happened by 24 October 2026; until then, 2 years apply.
Presence required
Residence: lost after more than 183 consecutive days' absence (Residente Permanente: 365)
CRS status
✓ CRS participant
Sources for these facts

Why Peru?

One of Latin America's fastest passports: naturalisation after 2 years today, after 5 under the new law.

One of the fastest routes to a second passport anywhere: naturalisation after 2 years of legal residence today; once the new nationality law (Ley 32421) takes effect with its regulation (reglamento), it will be 5. Add a low cost of living, excellent food and no wealth tax.

  • ✓Naturalisation after 2 years today (rentista, work, Ibero-American nationals), after 5 years in future (Ley 32421, applies from its reglamento)
  • ✓No wealth, inheritance or gift tax
  • ✓Dual citizenship permitted, no renunciation needed
  • ✓Rentista visa from just USD 1,000 a month in passive income
  • ✓A strong passport: around 140 destinations visa-free including Schengen (Henley 2026: 141)

Residence permits and residency options

Rentista (Independent Means)

From USD 1,000 a month in passive income (+ USD 500 per dependant). Valid indefinitely, no local work. Pensions tax-free. The residency lapses if you spend more than 183 days in a row outside the country.

Inversionista (Investor)

Investment in a Peruvian company plus the creation of around 5 jobs. Renewable annually.

Permanent Residency / Passport

Permanent residence after 3 years, or naturalisation directly after 2 years while Ley 26574 applies; once Ley 32421 takes effect, it will be 5 years.

Tax in Peru

Worldwide income 😟: global income taxed

Peru taxes tax residents on worldwide income. You become domiciled after more than 183 days of stay, but only with effect from 1 January of the following year, which creates a useful planning window. Employment and foreign income are taxed progressively at 8% to 30%, capital income and interest at around 5%.

The honest point: pensions are tax-free under the rentista visa, but dividends, capital gains and foreign rental income are not. Peru is therefore not a zero-tax location; its trump card is the fast passport, not the tax rate. At least there is no wealth, inheritance or gift tax.

Citizenship: the route to a second passport

Peru offers one of the fastest naturalisation routes anywhere: after just 2 continuous years of legal residence (rentista, work or as an Ibero-American national) you can apply for a Peruvian passport. You must show ties to the country (for example home ownership), continuous residence and knowledge of Spanish and the culture. Dual citizenship is permitted; you do not have to give up your existing nationality.

Important and time-critical: a new nationality law (Ley 32421, published in August 2025) raises the period to 5 years and adds a minimum income requirement of 10 UIT a year (around USD 15,000, declared to the tax authority SUNAT) plus a language and civics exam. The law only takes effect on the day after its reglamento is published in El Peruano; on 24 October 2026 it had not been published, although the statutory deadline of 180 working days has passed. Until then the old Ley 26574 with 2 years applies, and pending applications are completed under the old law. If you want to use the 2 years, start now, but expect that 5 may apply in the end. The Peruvian passport opens around 140 destinations visa-free or with visa on arrival (Henley 2026: 141), including Schengen.

Our Peru insider tip: Arequipa

Arequipa is the insider tip for quality of life at low cost: comfortable flats often from USD 400 to 700 a month, bright blue skies almost all year, colonial architecture in white sillar stone and the spectacular El Misti volcano behind the city. The White City is Peru's culinary stronghold, much cheaper and more relaxed than Lima and pleasantly mild at around 2,300 metres. Lima, the capital, offers more infrastructure, international connections and banking; Cusco the historic Andean feel near Machu Picchu; the north coast around Máncora year-round beaches. For a Plan B location, what counts is low fixed costs, good access via Lima and a pleasant climate.

Banking outside Peru

Your banking and your operating company belong outside Peru. Peru is a CRS participant, and only outside the country does your structure stay clean, without unnecessary local substance. You open a local account (required, among other things, for the rentista visa) on the ground once your carné is issued. We build the international architecture for you.

Flag theory: why bank outside the country?

Because the country is a CRS participant and you do not want to create local economic substance or a permanent establishment, banking and your operating company belong outside Latin America. We structure this for you. More about our services →

Who is Peru right for, and who not?

✓ A good fit for

  • ✓Anyone who wants a fast second passport (2 years today, 5 in future under Ley 32421)
  • ✓Anyone who wants to benefit from a low cost of living and no wealth tax
  • ✓Anyone drawing a pension (tax-free under the rentista visa)

✗ Less suited to

  • ✗Anyone looking for a zero-tax location (Panama or Paraguay are better for that)
  • ✗Anyone who expects maximum political stability (Peru is politically volatile)
  • ✗Anyone who hardly wants to be there (naturalisation requires two uninterrupted years of residence, and more than 183 days of absence in a row already costs you the residency)

Frequently asked questions about Peru

How quickly can I get a Peruvian passport?

Today after 2 continuous years of legal residence. The new law (Ley 32421) raises the period to 5 years and introduces an income requirement; it applies from the day after its reglamento is published, which was still outstanding on 24 October 2026.

Is my foreign income taxed?

Once you are domiciled (after 183 days, effective from 1 January of the following year), worldwide income applies. Pensions are exempt under the rentista visa; dividends, capital gains and foreign rental income are not.

How much capital do I need for residency?

The rentista visa requires USD 1,000 a month in passive income (+ USD 500 per dependant), one of the lowest thresholds in the region.

Does Peru allow dual citizenship?

Yes. You do not have to give up your existing nationality; Peruvian nationality is only lost by express renunciation.

Is Peru a tax optimisation location?

No. Residents are taxable on worldwide income (up to 30%). Peru's strength is the fast passport; for zero tax, Panama or Paraguay are the better choice.

Next steps

Is Peru right for you?

Start with a free assessment: we look at your situation and tell you honestly whether this country fits you.