MISSION POINT HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL
MPH Expat Experience (XP)
Mexico · MPH Expat ExperienceLiving in Mexico: what it really costs, and what to expect
155 researched facts across 18 categories — visas, costs, housing, tax, healthcare, safety and daily life — each with a named source and the date it was checked. Every figure links to where it came from. 2 items still have no reliable source and are marked as such.
MXN 30,656 a month · couple in Mexico City
139th most peaceful country
160 Mbps median home internet
2 h behind US Eastern
The $4,000 question
Can you live comfortably in Mexico on $4,000 a month?
MPH monthly budget, couple renting a 1-bed: rent MXN 25,335 (asking-rent average, US$1,370); groceries MXN 3,602; electricity MXN 721; two mobile plans MXN 998. Public transport and home internet not included (no source yet). Total about MXN 30,656 (≈US$1,658). $4,000 (MXN 73,972) leaves about MXN 43,316 before income tax.
Built by MPH from the official figures under Cost of living, Housing and Tax below, plus Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) household food spend. Your own costs depend on where and how you live.
All 18 categories
Mexico, fact by fact
Visas, residency & citizenshipCost of livingHousing & propertyTax, money & bankingHealthcareEducation & familySafety & securityClimate & environmentConnectivity & daily infrastructureTransport & travelWork & businessLanguage, culture & integrationGovernment, law & societyMoving logisticsDemographicsExpat sentimentFood, groceries & marketsQuestions US movers ask
01Visas, residency & citizenship12
Visa types available (retirement / passive income, digital nomad, work, highly-skilled / EU Blue Card, student, family / spouse, investment / golden visa)
Three statuses: visitor (up to 180 days, no paid work; US citizens need no visa), temporary resident (up to 4 years; can work with a job offer and bring family) and permanent resident (indefinite, can work). Visitors generally cannot switch to residence inside Mexico, so the resident visa is applied for at a Mexican consulate first.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración (Migration Law) — Ley de Migración, texto vigente (last reform DOF 15 Jan 2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Income / savings thresholds per visa
Temporary residence (financial means), Mexican consulate in Washington, 2026: savings averaging MXN 1,394,000 over 12 months, or net income of MXN 83,640 a month for 6 months. Retiree permanent residence: MXN 5,576,000 or a MXN 139,400 monthly pension. These are multiples of the 2025 minimum wage and differ by consulate (Las Vegas: US$4,630 a month).
Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) – Consulate of Mexico in Washington, DC — Residente temporal – requisitos (2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Health-insurance requirement for the visa
Not required on the consulate lists: the 2026 requirement lists for temporary residence on financial means (Washington, San Diego) and for retiree permanent residence (Washington) ask for the application, passport, photo, fee and proof of savings or income, but not for health insurance.
Source: Embajada de México en Estados Unidos – Sección Consular (Washington) — Residente temporal – requisitos de visa (2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Investment thresholds (residency and citizenship by investment)
Temporary residence for investors: capital in a Mexican company over 45,850 UMA days (MXN 5,378,664, ≈US$290,849 at the 2026 UMA of MXN 117.31), or owning Mexican property worth over 91,710 UMA days (MXN 10,758,500, ≈US$581,761) (San Diego consulate, 2026). Citizenship: naturalisation normally needs 5 years of residence; no investment route is set in the Nationality Law.
Source: Consulado General de México en San Diego — Visa de residente temporal – Inversionista (2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Processing time and validity
Temporary residence lasts up to 4 years in total; after that it can become permanent residence, which has no end date. The consular visa fee is US$56 (Washington, 2026); after entering Mexico on it you register at the nearest National Migration Institute (INM) office for a residence card.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración (Migration Law) — Ley de Migración, texto vigente (last reform DOF 15 Jan 2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Path to permanent residence (years)
Yes: permanent residence (indefinite, with work rights) after 4 years as a temporary resident, or directly for retirees with a pension from abroad that lets them live in Mexico, parents of Mexican-born children, and close relatives of Mexicans.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración (Migration Law) — Ley de Migración, texto vigente (last reform DOF 15 Jan 2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Citizenship / naturalisation timeline
Naturalisation after 5 years of legal residence on a temporary or permanent resident card (student residence does not count), or 2 years for some groups (see 1009). Applicants pass a Spanish exam and a Mexican history and culture exam; over-60s take only the Spanish exam.
Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) – Dirección General de Asuntos Jurídicos — Carta de naturalización por residencia · 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Dual citizenship allowed
Mexico allows dual nationality for Mexicans by birth (US State Dept). But foreigners who naturalise must formally renounce their other nationality before the naturalisation letter is issued (Nationality Law, Arts. 17 and 19). How the US treats that renunciation was not read.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Nacionalidad (Nationality Law) — Ley de Nacionalidad (last reform DOF 23 Apr 2012, PDF) · 2012 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Citizenship by descent / marriage
No citizenship by marriage alone: the foreign spouse of a Mexican can naturalise after 2 years living together in Mexico. Descendants of Mexicans by birth, parents of Mexican-born children, and Latin Americans and Iberians also need only 2 years' residence. Citizenship by descent from a Mexican parent was not read.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Nacionalidad (Nationality Law) — Ley de Nacionalidad (last reform DOF 23 Apr 2012, PDF) · 2012 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Short-stay rules (e.g. Schengen 90/180)
US citizens need no visa for visits of up to 180 days; immigration officers decide how long you may stay. Everyone needs an FMM entry permit (online or on arrival), except short stays within 12 miles of the border. The passport must be valid on entry; a passport card cannot be used to fly.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information; travel advisory · 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
First registrations (tax number, residence registration)
Within 30 calendar days of entering Mexico on a resident visa you must apply in person to the National Migration Institute (INM) for your residence card (Migration Law). A tax ID (RFC) is needed once you must file returns or issue tax invoices (Federal Tax Code Art. 27).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración — Ley de Migración (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Entry restrictions (e.g. HIV restrictions)
US advisory: Level 2, exercise increased caution (29 May 2026), for terrorism, crime and kidnapping; Mexico City is Level 2, with violent and non-violent crime across the city. Six states are Level 4, do not travel: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Medicines legal in the US can be illegal in Mexico.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information; travel advisory · 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
02Cost of living17
Overall cost profile — single / couple / family / local
MPH monthly budget, couple renting a 1-bed: rent MXN 25,335 (asking-rent average, US$1,370); groceries MXN 3,602; electricity MXN 721; two mobile plans MXN 998. Public transport and home internet not included (no source yet). Total about MXN 30,656 (≈US$1,658). $4,000 (MXN 73,972) leaves about MXN 43,316 before income tax.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) — ENIGH 2024 – Ciudad de México: quarterly household spend on food and drink at home; household size (PDF) · Oct 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Restaurant meal (inexpensive; mid-range for two)
Mid-range: a CANIRAC survey of restaurants (June 2026) found the most common spend was MXN 251–400 per person (≈US$14–22), so about MXN 500–800 for two. Inexpensive: a "comida corrida" set lunch rose from MXN 35 to 40 (≈US$2.20) in 2026 (ANPEC, via TV Azteca).
Source: El Universal — Mundial 2026: derrama económica en restaurantes proviene principalmente de locales, no de turistas: Canirac (23 Jun 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Coffee, beer, soft drink
Coffee at Mexico City chains (March 2026): Starbucks MXN 72 (≈US$3.90), Cielito Café 54, Pickup Coffee 35, Mixup 25. Beer and soft-drink prices were not read this pass.
Source: adn40 — ¿Cuánto cuesta el café en Starbucks y en Cielito Café en 2026? (4 Mar 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Grocery basket (milk, bread, eggs, meat, produce, wine)
Mexico City households spend about MXN 16,370 a quarter on food and drink at home (2024, INEGI household survey): meat 4,168, cereals 2,194, vegetables and pulses 1,978, dairy 1,634, fruit 1,157, drinks 1,115, eggs 553. Prices of single shop items were not read.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) — ENIGH 2024 – presentation of results, Ciudad de México (PDF) · 2024 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Utilities for an apartment (electricity, heating, water, refuse)
CFE household tariff 1, October 2026 (before VAT): MXN 1.140 per kWh for the first 75 kWh a month, 1.385 for the next 65 and 4.054 for every kWh above that, so heavy use costs far more. Very high users move to the DAC tariff. Gas and water prices were not read.
Source: Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) — Tarifa 1 – servicio doméstico, cuotas octubre 2026 · Oct 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Mobile plan
Mobile (Telcel Libre, no contract, incl. 16% VAT): MXN 249 a month for 4 GB, MXN 499 for 10 GB, MXN 599 for 20 GB; all include unlimited calls and texts within Mexico, the US and Canada, and unlimited WhatsApp and main social networks (Oct 2026).
Source: Telcel (Radiomóvil Dipsa) — Planes Telcel Libre (no contract) · Oct 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Broadband
Home internet (September 2026): Telmex 120 Mbps for MXN 389 a month (≈US$21); Totalplay 100 Mbps symmetric MXN 390 with prompt payment; Megacable 300 Mbps MXN 600 for 12 months; izzi internet + TV from MXN 579.
Source: Expansión — Telmex, Totalplay, Megacable e Izzi: ¿quién te cobra menos por internet desde 389 pesos? (15–16 Sep 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Public transport single ticket + monthly pass
Metro: MXN 5 per trip (≈US$0.27) with free transfers between its 12 lines; Metrobús: MXN 6 (the airport Line 4 costs more). No monthly pass was found in the sources read.
Source: TV Azteca (Azteca Noticias) — ¿Cuánto cuesta el pasaje en CDMX? Las tarifas actualizadas de Metro, Metrobús, Trolebús y camiones (1 Jun 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Taxi fare
Street taxi (taxi libre): MXN 8.74 flag fall plus MXN 1.07 per 250 m or 45 seconds of waiting. Taxis from a stand (sitio): MXN 13.10 plus 1.30; official radio taxis: MXN 27.30 plus 1.84.
Source: TV Azteca (Azteca Noticias) — ¿Cuánto cuesta el pasaje en CDMX? Las tarifas actualizadas de Metro, Metrobús, Trolebús y camiones (1 Jun 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Fuel price
National average pump prices, 29 Sep–5 Oct 2026 (Profeco, CNE data): regular MXN 23.69 a litre (≈US$4.85 a US gallon), premium 28.59, diesel 26.99. Border zones with a fuel-tax stimulus are excluded.
Source: Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) — Quién es Quién en los Precios – Gasolina y Diésel (12 Oct 2026; prices 29 Sep–5 Oct 2026) · 2026-10 · checked 17 Oct 2026
New car price
Nissan Versa 2026 list prices: MXN 374,900 (Sense, manual; ≈US$20,273) to MXN 470,900 (Exclusive CVT; ≈US$25,464). Financed promotional prices from MXN 309,990 with CrediNissan, valid 7 Oct–2 Nov 2026.
Source: Nissan Mexicana — Nuevo Nissan Versa 2026 – precios · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Gym membership; cinema; theatre
Gym: Smart Fit "Smart" plan MXN 399 a month (≈US$22), no long-term contract, access to 2,000+ gyms; prices can vary by gym. Cinema and theatre prices were not read this pass.
Source: Smart Fit México — Smart Fit – Planes · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Clothing items
Zara Mexico online prices (Oct 2026): graphic T-shirt MXN 599-699, hoodie MXN 1,099, cotton-linen shirt MXN 1,099, suit trousers MXN 999, suit blazer MXN 2,499, water-repellent puffer jacket MXN 2,799. Clothing and footwear prices were 2.16% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier (INEGI).
Source: Zara México — Ropa para hombre | ZARA México · 2026 · checked 18 Oct 2026
Personal care, medicine, short doctor visit
Medicine: paracetamol (Tempra 500 mg, 20 tablets) MXN 131 (≈US$7) at Farmacias del Ahorro online, October 2026. Personal-care items and pharmacy-clinic visit prices were not read this pass.
Source: Farmacias del Ahorro — Tempra 500 mg Adultos Paracetamol caja 20 tabletas (online store) · 2026-10 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Domestic help (hourly cleaner)
No hourly rate is set; the legal minimum wage for domestic workers is MXN 342.47 a day in 2026 (≈US$18.50), or MXN 440.87 in the northern border zone. At 8 hours that is about MXN 43 an hour.
Source: Comisión Nacional de los Salarios Mínimos (CONASAMI) — Salarios mínimos vigentes a partir del 1 de enero de 2026 (tabla) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Average net salary; purchasing power
Average household income in Mexico City: MXN 110,685 a quarter (about MXN 36,900 a month) in 2024, 12.1% more in real terms than in 2022 (INEGI household survey). Households average 3.03 people. Average individual net pay was not read.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) — ENIGH 2024 – presentation of results, Ciudad de México (PDF) · 2024 · checked 16 Oct 2026
Price level vs. US
Consumer prices are about two-fifths below US levels: the World Bank's price level for household consumption (PPP factor divided by the exchange rate) puts Mexico at about 0.59 of the US in 2025, against 0.73 for Italy. National figure; Mexico City prices were not read separately.
Source: World Bank — PPP conversion factor, household final consumption (PA.NUS.PRVT.PP) and official exchange rate (PA.NUS.FCRF) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2025 · checked 16 Oct 2026
03Housing & property13
Rent — 1-bed and 3-bed, centre and outside
Asking rents for apartments (Global Property Guide, Q2 2026, US$): Mexico City average 1-bed $1,370 a month, 3-bed $3,470; Miguel Hidalgo 1-bed $1,730, 3-bed $5,080; Roma Norte 1-bed $1,620; Benito Juárez 1-bed $1,270; Coyoacán 1-bed $870, 3-bed $1,440.
Source: Global Property Guide — Gross rental yields in Mexico (Q2 2026; asking prices and rents by area, US$) · Q2 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Furnished rent, studio vs. 85 m²
No published figures split furnished from unfurnished or give rents by m². By size, Mexico City asking rents average US$1,370 a month for a 1-bed, $1,850 for a 2-bed and $3,470 for a 3-bed (Global Property Guide, listing data, June 2026).
Source: Global Property Guide — Gross rental yields in Mexico: Mexico City and 6 other cities (last update Jun 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Purchase price per m², centre and outside; median home price
New homes in Mexico City average about US$2,947 per m² (Q2 2026, Global Property Guide from Inmuebles24 listings), up 9.2% in a year. Asking prices for a 1-bed apartment: about US$137,000 in Coyoacán to US$260,000 in Roma Norte (city average US$237,000).
Source: Global Property Guide — Square metre prices – Mexico (primary-market dwellings, from Inmuebles24 listings, US$) · 2026 Q2 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Foreign ownership allowed / restrictions
Yes. Outside the restricted zone (100 km from the borders, 50 km from the coasts), foreigners can own property directly after signing an agreement with the Foreign Ministry (SRE) and getting a permit. Inside the zone, homes are held through a bank trust (fideicomiso) of up to 50 years, renewable. Mexico City is outside the zone.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Inversión Extranjera (Foreign Investment Law) — Ley de Inversión Extranjera (last reform DOF 27 May 2024, PDF) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Buying process for foreigners
Outside the restricted zone (100 km from borders, 50 km from coasts) a foreigner files a written agreement with the Foreign Ministry (SRE) and gets a permit, which is deemed granted if no refusal is published within 5 business days; inside the zone, homes are held through a bank trust (fideicomiso) of up to 50 years, renewable. The purchase is formalised by a notary (see 3007).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Inversión Extranjera — Ley de Inversión Extranjera (última reforma DOF 27-05-2024) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Property purchase taxes and annual property tax
Mexico City property acquisition tax (ISAI) is charged on the property's value on an 11-band scale: in the 2024 table the rate on each band's excess runs from 1.537% (band A) to 7.551% (band K, over MXN 55.1 million), plus a fixed amount per band. The notary calculates and pays it within 15 business days of the deed. Annual property tax (predial) was not read.
Source: Secretaría de Administración y Finanzas de la Ciudad de México – portal de transparencia — Impuesto sobre Adquisición de Inmuebles 2024 (Código Fiscal de la Ciudad de México, arts. 112–121) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Buy-to-let rules; short-term rental licensing
Short-term rentals in Mexico City: hosts must sign up in the city's Register of Platforms and Hosts of Tourist Stays (opened 21 May 2026; deadline extended to December 2026), and the 2024 rules cap occupancy at 50% of the nights in a year. Long-term letting rules: see 3009.
Source: Expansión Política — Anfitriones de Airbnb tendrán hasta diciembre para registrarse en la CDMX (19 Aug 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Tenant rights
Mexico City residential leases: minimum term 1 year, which the tenant can extend by another year if rent is up to date; rent is set in pesos and can rise only once a year, never by more than the previous year's inflation (Banxico); the landlord may not ask for more than one month's deposit; leases must be in writing and registered.
Source: Procuraduría Ambiental y del Ordenamiento Territorial de la CDMX (PAOT) – compilación legal — Código Civil para el Distrito Federal (última reforma GOCDMX 21-11-2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Mortgage availability to non-residents; rates
Average bank mortgage rate 11.54% and average total annual cost (CAT) 14% in December 2025 (Banco de México data, reported by El Universal, Feb 2026). Lending to foreign residents depends on each bank's rules (none read this pass).
Source: El Universal — Repunta el costo de las hipotecas (22 Feb 2026) · Dec 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Home insurance
Only 4.5% of Mexican homes (about 1.3 million) have insurance against damage from events such as fire, flood or earthquake (Condusef). Common cover: fire, lightning and explosion, earthquake and volcanic eruption, storms and floods, strikes and vandalism; theft is separate. Prices were not read.
Source: IDC Online — Seguro de casa habitación: ¿Qué protegen y qué revisar antes de contratarlo? (29 Sep 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Building and renovating
Mexico City licenses minor and major building works separately. Works under 60 m² on one level need the deeds, construction plans, property alignment, official number and a current property-tax receipt; larger or multi-storey works also need a registered works director's (DRO) signature. Fees were about MXN 10-18 per m² by zone; apply at SEDUVI (UnoTV, 2022).
Source: UnoTV — ¿Vas a remodelar tu casa? Toma en cuenta los permisos que necesitas en la CDMX (2 Mar 2022) · 2022 · checked 18 Oct 2026
Selling property; capital gains tax
For Mexican tax residents, selling your own home can be income-tax free: the gain is exempt up to a price of 700,000 UDIs (inflation-linked units) if the sale goes through a notary and no other exempt home sale was made in the previous 3 years; any excess is taxed. Non-residents are taxed under other rules (not read).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (Income Tax Law) – re-read — Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (last reform DOF 1 Apr 2024, PDF) – Title IV scope · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Gross rental yield
Gross rental yield (Global Property Guide, Q2 2026): Mexico City average 6.77%; Mexico 5.79% (5.98% in Q4 2025). By area, 1-beds yield most in Miguel Hidalgo (8.17%) and Cuauhtémoc (7.70%).
Source: Global Property Guide — Gross rental yields in Mexico (Q2 2026; asking prices and rents by area, US$) · Q2 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
04Tax, money & banking15
Income tax system and rates
Residents of Mexico pay income tax on their worldwide income (Income Tax Law Art. 1). The 2026 annual tariff has 11 bands from 1.92% to 35%; 35% applies above MXN 5,107,703.93 a year (≈US$276,200). Non-residents without a permanent establishment are taxed only on Mexican-source income (Title V).
Source: Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) — Anexo 8 de la Resolución Miscelánea Fiscal para 2026 (DOF 28-12-2025) – tarifas ISR · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Estimated tax on $50k / $100k / $250k
Resident income tax before deductions, 2026 annual tariff (MPH calculation at MXN 18.4930 per US$): US$50k (MXN 924,650) MXN 202,228 ≈ US$10,935 (21.9%); US$100k (MXN 1,849,300) MXN 494,005 ≈ US$26,713 (26.7%); US$250k (MXN 4,623,250) MXN 1,437,148 ≈ US$77,713 (31.1%). Personal deductions and exempt pay items are not applied.
Source: Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) — Anexo 8 de la Resolución Miscelánea Fiscal para 2026 (DOF 28-12-2025) – tarifas ISR · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Tax residency test
You are a Mexican tax resident if you have set up your home in Mexico. If you also have a home abroad, you are resident when your centre of vital interests is in Mexico: more than 50% of your income for the calendar year comes from Mexican sources, or your main professional activity is in Mexico. Mexican nationals are presumed resident.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Código Fiscal de la Federación — Código Fiscal de la Federación (última reforma DOF 09-04-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Non-resident tax
Non-residents' Mexican wages: the first MXN 125,900 a year is tax-free, then 15% up to MXN 1,000,000 and 30% above; the employer withholds it if it is in Mexico.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (Income Tax Law) — Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (last reform DOF 1 Apr 2024, PDF) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Special expat regimes
No separate expat rate: foreign residents are taxed like other residents, on worldwide income (Art. 1). Individuals with only business, professional or rental income up to MXN 3.5 million a year can opt for the simplified regime RESICO, which taxes gross receipts at 1.0% (up to MXN 300,000) rising to 2.5% (up to MXN 3.5 million) (Art. 113-E).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta — Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (última reforma DOF 01-04-2024) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Double tax treaty with the US (and UK, CA, AU)
Yes: the United States has an income tax treaty with Mexico (IRS treaty list). The treaty's detailed terms were not read.
Source: US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — United States income tax treaties – A to Z · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Inheritance / estate tax; wills and estate planning
No inheritance tax: inheritances and legacies are exempt from income tax (Income Tax Law Art. 93 XXII). Residents whose total income for the year, including exempt income, exceeds MXN 500,000 must declare all of it (Art. 150).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta — Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (última reforma DOF 01-04-2024) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
VAT rate; import duty on personal goods
Value added tax (IVA) is 16% on most goods and services. Import duty on personal belongings was not read.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Impuesto al Valor Agregado (VAT Law) — Ley del Impuesto al Valor Agregado (last reform DOF 12 Nov 2021, PDF) · 2021 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Corporate tax; self-employed tax
Companies pay corporate income tax of 30% on their taxable result. Rules for the self-employed and small-business regimes were not read.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (Income Tax Law) — Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (last reform DOF 1 Apr 2024, PDF) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Pensions and social security
US citizens can keep receiving US Social Security payments while living in Mexico. Mexico is not on SSA's list of countries with a social security agreement with the US (April 2026), so US and Mexican work credits cannot be combined (see 18001).
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) — Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States (Publication No. 05-10137, April 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Opening a bank account as a non-resident / foreigner
Foreigners can open an account at BBVA México in its app with: a valid official ID such as a passport, an immigration document (FM2 or FM3), a CURP, a Mexican mobile number and recent proof of address; age 18+. The card is collected at a branch free of charge.
Source: BBVA México — ¿Cómo obtener una tarjeta de débito para extranjeros en México? (BBVA educación financiera) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Multicurrency and USD accounts; money transfers
Personal US-dollar cheque accounts are aimed at residents of the northern border strip: Banjercito offers its USD account to the public aged 18+ who live in the northern border zone (its leaflet also mentions foreigners who need to hold dollars). On paying in dollars, see 4014.
Source: Banjercito (Banco Nacional del Ejército, Fuerza Aérea y Armada) — Cuenta de Cheques Tradicional en Moneda Extranjera (Persona física) – folleto informativo · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Credit scores for newcomers
Credit histories are kept by private credit bureaus (sociedades de información crediticia). By law you can request your credit report free of charge once every 12 months (Art. 41), and each bureau must offer a free phone line and a website for requests (Art. 40).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley para Regular las Sociedades de Información Crediticia — Ley para Regular las Sociedades de Información Crediticia (última reforma DOF 24-01-2024) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Cashless acceptance; tipping custom; ATM
In most cities and tourist areas credit and debit cards are widely accepted in established businesses, and ATMs that accept US ATM networks are easy to find (US Commerce Dept, 2026). Paying in US dollars is not legal or common, except sometimes in border and tourist areas. Tipping is voluntary and may not be added to the bill without your consent (Profeco).
Source: U.S. International Trade Administration (Department of Commerce) — Mexico – Business Travel and Etiquette (Country Commercial Guide, last published 17 Feb 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Minimum wage
The general minimum wage is MXN 315.04 a day from 1 January 2026 (up 13% on 2025); MXN 440.87 a day in the northern border free zone.
Source: Comisión Nacional de los Salarios Mínimos (CONASAMI) — Salarios mínimos vigentes a partir del 1 de enero de 2026 (table, PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
05Healthcare10
How the health system works; access for residents
Mexicans pay a large share of health costs themselves: out-of-pocket spending is 41.2% of all health spending (2023), against 22.3% in Italy and 10.9% in the US; total health spending is 5.5% of GDP. Foreign residents can buy into the public IMSS scheme (see 5002) or use private care.
Source: World Bank — Out-of-pocket share (SH.XPD.OOPC.CH.ZS), health spending (SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS), hospital beds (SH.MED.BEDS.ZS) and physicians (SH.MED.PHYS.ZS) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2023 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Health insurance — private / international plans and cost
Public option: IMSS family health insurance, paid yearly in advance by age (from 1 March 2026): MXN 11,550 at 20–29, 14,850 at 50–59 (about $803), 20,600 at 60–69, 22,150 at 80+. It covers medical, hospital and pharmacy care, but people with listed pre-existing conditions are not accepted. Private plan prices were not read.
Source: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) — Seguro de Salud para la Familia – cuotas vigentes a partir del 1 de marzo de 2026 · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Hospital quality; best hospitals
Mexico has 1.0 hospital bed per 1,000 people (2022), against 3.1 in Italy and 2.7 in the US. Hospital accreditation and rankings were not read.
Source: World Bank — Out-of-pocket share (SH.XPD.OOPC.CH.ZS), health spending (SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS), hospital beds (SH.MED.BEDS.ZS) and physicians (SH.MED.PHYS.ZS) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2022 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Doctors and GPs; dental; mental health
2.6 doctors per 1,000 people (2022), against 4.2 in Italy and 3.7 in the US. Dental and mental-health services were not read.
Source: World Bank — Out-of-pocket share (SH.XPD.OOPC.CH.ZS), health spending (SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS), hospital beds (SH.MED.BEDS.ZS) and physicians (SH.MED.PHYS.ZS) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2022 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Children's healthcare; pregnancy and birth; women's health
Employees insured with IMSS get maternity pay of 100% of their last daily contribution salary for 42 days before and 42 days after the birth (84 days), if they have at least 30 weekly contributions in the 12 months before (Social Security Law Arts. 101–102).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley del Seguro Social — Ley del Seguro Social (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Senior and elderly care
Mexican law treats people aged 60 or over who live in or are passing through Mexico as older adults. The national institute for older people (INAPAM) issues them a membership card for benefits and arranges discounts with businesses (Law on the Rights of Older Persons, Arts. 3 and 28).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de los Derechos de las Personas Adultas Mayores — Ley de los Derechos de las Personas Adultas Mayores (última reforma DOF 14-06-2024) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Vaccinations
CDC advises at least one dose of hepatitis A vaccine before travel to Mexico, and typhoid vaccination especially for stays in smaller cities or rural areas with poor sanitation. Mexico City is over 2,250 m high, which can affect people with heart or lung conditions.
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — CDC Yellow Book – Mexico (Americas & Caribbean) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Emergency numbers
Dial 911 for emergencies; not all operators speak English (US State Dept).
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information (health; emergencies) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Medical insurance advice for visitors
Major cities have advanced hospitals, but providers usually want payment before treatment and most do not accept US insurance, including Medicare; the State Dept strongly recommends medical-evacuation cover. Some medicines legal in the US are illegal in Mexico and can lead to arrest.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information (health; emergencies) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Health care index
UN Universal Health Coverage index: 79 out of 100 (2023), below Italy (82) and the US (88).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division – SDG Global Database — UHC service coverage index (SH_ACS_UNHC_25) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2023 · checked 17 Oct 2026
06Education & family9
International schools — curricula (IB / British / American) and annual tuition
Example: Eton School Mexico (Mexico City; IB programmes), 2026–27: preschool MXN 21,900 a month over 10 months plus MXN 47,920 enrolment, about MXN 266,920 a year (≈US$14,400); upper secondary MXN 30,160 × 10 plus 56,000, about MXN 357,600 (≈US$19,300); plus a one-time admission fee.
Source: Nord Anglia Education – Eton School Mexico — Colegiaturas 2026-2027 (cuotas.pdf) · 2026-27 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Local education system
Education is compulsory from preschool through upper secondary, and state schooling is free. Basic education is initial, preschool, primary and secondary. Children must be admitted even without school or identity documents, whatever their nationality or migration status (General Education Law Arts. 6, 7, 9, 37).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley General de Educación — Ley General de Educación (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Childcare / preschool cost
Households paying for childcare spent on average just over MXN 1,500 a month at childcare centres and almost MXN 2,000 for private carers (≈US$80–110; ENIGH 2020, CONEVAL).
Source: Consejo Nacional de Evaluación de la Política de Desarrollo Social (CONEVAL) — Comunicado No. 21 – cuidado infantil (7 Dec 2022; ENIGH 2020 data) · 2020 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Higher education
Under the General Education Law the State is responsible for providing higher education (Art. 48), and education given by the State is free of charge (Art. 7 IV). Private university fees vary and were not read.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley General de Educación — Ley General de Educación (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Language learning
UNAM's Centre for Teaching Foreigners (CEPE Polanco), 2026: in-person Spanish courses MXN 12,400 for basic levels and MXN 10,750 for intermediate and advanced (≈US$580–670); online courses MXN 10,330. Intensive (8-week), quarterly and summer courses.
Source: UNAM – Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros (CEPE) Polanco — Cursos de español 2026 – calendario completo · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
School holidays
School year 2026–27 (SEP calendar published in the DOF): classes start Monday 31 August 2026 and end Friday 9 July 2027, with 185 school days for basic education (the law sets 185–200).
Source: Expansión Política — La SEP publica el calendario oficial para el ciclo escolar 2026-2027 (15 Jul 2026) · 2026-27 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Spouse and family visas
A temporary resident can bring their spouse or partner, minor unmarried children (including the partner's) and their parents, who get temporary residence for as long as the main permit lasts and can work with a job offer. Consulates ask for extra financial means per family member (Las Vegas: US$1,498 a month each, 2026).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración (Migration Law) — Ley de Migración, texto vigente (last reform DOF 15 Jan 2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Maternity and parental leave
Mothers get 12 weeks of maternity leave on full pay (6 before and 6 after the birth; up to 4 can be moved to after), up to 8 weeks after the birth if the baby is disabled or in hospital. Fathers get 5 working days of paid paternity leave, also for adoption.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley Federal del Trabajo (Federal Labour Law) — Ley Federal del Trabajo (last reform DOF 14 May 2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Pet relocation
Only dogs and cats count as pets. Coming from the US or Canada no health certificate is needed: SENASICA officers inspect the animal on arrival (airport, border or port). If ticks are found a sample goes to the lab and the pet is held until cleared. The carrier must be clean, with no bedding or accessories.
Source: Consulado General de México en Vancouver (SRE) — Procedimiento para el ingreso de mascotas a México (updated 13 Feb 2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
07Safety & security10
Crime level
Crime is a real concern: the US State Dept says violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City and advises extra caution at night outside the popular tourist areas (Level 2 for the city, see 1012). Official crime statistics were not read.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information; travel advisory (crime; LGBTQI+ travelers) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Safety for women
In March 2026, 67.2% of women and 54.6% of men living in 91 Mexican cities said it was unsafe to live in their city (61.5% of all adults; INEGI urban security survey).
Source: INEGI — Encuesta Nacional de Seguridad Pública Urbana (ENSU), marzo 2026 – Reporte de resultados 12/26 (24 Apr 2026) · Mar 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Safety for LGBTQ+ people; legal protections
There are no legal restrictions on same-sex relationships or events in Mexico, though there are occasional reports of violence against gay and lesbian people (US State Dept). Marriage and partnership law was not read.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information; travel advisory (crime; LGBTQI+ travelers) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Racism / discrimination
In INEGI's 2022 national discrimination survey, 23.7% of adults said they had been discriminated against in the past 12 months. The share was higher for indigenous people (28.2%), Afro-descendants (35.7%), migrants (28.5%) and people with darker skin tones (26.5%).
Source: INEGI — Estadísticas a propósito del Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial (Comunicado 50/25, 18 Mar 2025; ENADIS 2022) · 2022 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Scams
Common scams (US State Dept): extortion such as "virtual kidnapping", where criminals convince families a relative has been kidnapped; internet financial scams; fraudulent charges from skimmed cards; and disputes over time-share and real-estate deals, which have led to legal action and detentions.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – International Travel Information (advisory Level 2, 29 May 2026; guidance 11 Aug 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Victims of crime; domestic violence
Mexico City had 30,804 crime victims per 100,000 people aged 18+ in 2024 (32,497 in 2023), above the national rate of 24,135. Nationally, 93.2% of crimes were not reported or did not lead to an investigation. Emergencies: dial 911 (see 5008).
Source: INEGI — Encuesta Nacional de Victimización y Percepción sobre Seguridad Pública (ENVIPE) 2025 – Reporte de resultados 33/25 · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Natural disaster risk
Mexico is an active earthquake zone and tsunamis may follow large quakes; the US State Dept suggests an earthquake-alert app. Tropical storms and hurricanes with heavy rain and wind occur from May to November.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – International Travel Information (advisory Level 2, 29 May 2026; guidance 11 Aug 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Road / traffic safety
About 12.8 road deaths per 100,000 people (WHO estimate, 2019), about the same as the US (12.7) and more than twice Italy (5.3).
Source: World Bank (WHO estimates) — Mortality caused by road traffic injury, per 100,000 (SH.STA.TRAF.P5) and PM2.5 mean annual exposure (EN.ATM.PM25.MC.M3) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2019 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Food safety
Travellers' diarrhoea often affects visitors to Mexico, usually from contaminated food or water, and CDC advises safe food and water precautions. Tap water is not safe to drink (see 8006).
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — CDC Yellow Book – Mexico (Americas & Caribbean) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Overall peace / stability
Low on peace: Mexico is 139th of 163 in the Global Peace Index 2026 (score 2.65), 13th of 14 in North and Central America, although its score improved by about 2% and conflict deaths are the lowest since 2017. The United States is 134th.
Source: Institute for Economics & Peace — Global Peace Index 2026 – report (PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
08Climate & environment8
Climate and seasons; temperature; humidity
Mild all year: winter highs 20–24 °C, warmest months April–May averaging 28 °C; rainy season June to October brings 85% of annual rain, usually a couple of hours a day (CDMX government).
Source: Gobierno de la Ciudad de México – Mexico City visitor portal — Pronóstico del clima, contaminación y rayos UV · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Air quality (annual)
Moderate air quality: average fine-particle (PM2.5) exposure is 16.6 µg/m³ (2023), a little above Italy (14.3) and more than twice the US (7.0). National figure; Mexico City data were not read.
Source: World Bank (WHO estimates) — Mortality caused by road traffic injury, per 100,000 (SH.STA.TRAF.P5) and PM2.5 mean annual exposure (EN.ATM.PM25.MC.M3) – Mexico, Italy, US (API) · 2023 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Pollution
Mexico City's air pollution has fallen in recent years but can still be severe in the dry winter months, aggravating asthma and heart and lung conditions; CDC advises checking air quality before outdoor activity.
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — CDC Yellow Book – Mexico (Americas & Caribbean) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Climate-change resilience
ND-GAIN ranks Mexico 91st for climate-change readiness and vulnerability (score 47.6): 124th most vulnerable but only 116th most ready, so readiness is the weak point.
Source: University of Notre Dame – ND-GAIN — ND-GAIN Country Index – Mexico · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Share of buildings with AC; heating norms
In INEGI's 2018 household energy survey 14.9% of Mexican homes (4.9 million of 32.9 million) used air-conditioning; the most were in Sonora, Nuevo León and Sinaloa. Only 5% of homes had any thermal insulation. Mexico City figures and heating norms were not read.
Source: Gobierno de México (gob.mx) – infografía — Infografía Confort térmico: uso de dispositivos para confort térmico en las viviendas (ENCEVI 2018, INEGI) · 2018 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Tap water safety; water hardness
Tap water in many areas is not safe to drink; bottled water is safe and should be asked for in restaurants and hotels (US State Dept). Water hardness figures were not read.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – International Travel Information (advisory Level 2, 29 May 2026; guidance 11 Aug 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Power grid reliability
CFE distribution customers lost 20.6 minutes of power on average in 2021 (SAIDI; national limit 50 minutes) with 0.43 interruptions per customer (federal audit office ASF, reported 2023).
Source: Energy21 — Padecen 68 millones de mexicanos fallas en el servicio de la CFE (23 Feb 2023; ASF audit of 2021) · 2021 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Recycling / sustainability
Mexico City banned single-use plastic bags from 2020 and other single-use plastics (cutlery, cups, balloons and more) from 1 January 2021; fines are 500–2,000 times the city's UMA. Recycling rates were not read.
Source: Expansión Política — La CDMX dice adiós a los plásticos desechables (1 Jan 2021) · 2021 · checked 17 Oct 2026
09Connectivity & daily infrastructure6
Internet speed (fixed + mobile)
Median speeds (Ookla, first half of 2025): fixed broadband 160.5 Mbps download and 89.6 Mbps upload; mobile 82.7 Mbps download (5G 230.7 Mbps).
Source: Expansión — Totalplay vence a Telmex en internet fijo… (13 Aug 2025; Ookla Speedtest data, H1 2025) · H1 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Mobile operators; eSIM
Telcel dominates: 83.3 million of 131.1 million mobile lines (March 2025, IFT preliminary), then AT&T 23.0 million and Movistar 21.1 million. Telcel sells a tourist eSIM valid 90 days.
Source: Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) — Reporte de información preliminar 1T2025 (data to March 2025) · 2025-03 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Setting up utilities, internet, TV
Electricity: a household CFE contract has no upfront fee, but a deposit is added to the first bill; you need photo ID, the exact address, your RFC tax number, a mobile number and an email (adn40, May 2026). Water and internet set-up were not read.
Source: adn40 — Confirmado por CFE: estos son los requisitos… para dar de alta un nuevo contrato (25 May 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Free WiFi; places to work from; coworking
Mexico City has more than 35,350 free public WiFi points (network "CDMX-Internet para Todos"), with no password or registration; up to 100 Mbps per point, 3–5 Mbps per user. Coworking spaces were not reviewed.
Source: Infobae México — Internet gratis en CDMX: cuántos puntos de WiFi hay y cómo puedes usarlo (24 Sep 2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Postal service; mail forwarding
Correos de México resumed parcels to the US on 25 March 2026 under new US rules: a 10% charge on the declared value, declared value MXN 150–14,500 and 20 kg maximum. Mail-forwarding services were not reviewed.
Source: La Razón de México — Correos de México reanuda envíos de paquetería a Estados Unidos con nuevas reglas (2 Apr 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Useful apps; news sources
App CDMX lets residents pay property tax (predial) and water bills from a phone (from March 2026). Other official apps were not reviewed on their own pages.
Source: adn40 — Adiós a las filas: los dos nuevos pagos que la App CDMX ya permite hacer desde casa (1 Mar 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
10Transport & travel8
Public transport quality and fares
Mexico City metro area public transport carried 180.1 million passengers in July 2026 (+1.3% a year; INEGI). The Metro has 12 lines, 195 stations and more than 226 km, with a flat MXN 5 fare (see 2008, 19012).
Source: INEGI — Estadística de Transporte Urbano de Pasajeros (ETUP) – Boletín 595/26 (18 Sep 2026; July 2026 data) · 2026-07 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Driving; licence conversion for US drivers
A valid US driver's licence can be used to drive in Mexico (US State Dept). Mexican car insurance is required for every vehicle, and US-registered cars going beyond the border zone need a temporary import permit. Converting to a Mexican licence as a resident was not read.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information (road conditions and safety; entry requirements) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Buying / importing a car; car insurance
In Mexico City every motor vehicle must carry valid third-party liability insurance from a CNSF-authorised insurer (Traffic Regulation Art. 46); fines reach about MXN 4,692. Importing a car as a resident follows customs rules not read this pass.
Source: adn40 — La multa por circular sin este documento obligatorio en CDMX, Edomex y carreteras federales (3 Jul 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Road conditions; traffic laws
The US State Dept advises driving between cities only in daylight, following instructions at checkpoints and not offering or accepting rides from strangers; road accidents are a leading cause of death for US citizens in Mexico.
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – international travel information (road conditions and safety; entry requirements) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Commute time; traffic
Heavy traffic: TomTom put Mexico City's average congestion at 75.9% in 2025; a 10 km drive took 34 min 29 s on average, rush-hour speed was 13.5 km/h, and drivers lost 184 hours a year in rush hour.
Source: TomTom — TomTom Traffic Index – Mexico City 2025 · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Walkability
In the metro area's last origin–destination survey (INEGI, 2017), 11.15 million of 34.56 million weekday trips were made entirely on foot (about 32%), and 45% (15 million) used public transport.
Source: Expansión — 45% de los viajes en el Valle de México son en transporte público (20 Feb 2018; INEGI Encuesta Origen-Destino 2017) · 2017 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Airports; airline connectivity to the US
Mexico City International Airport (AICM) handled 48.4 million commercial passengers in 2023, 16.3 million of them on international flights (up 4.7% on 2022). That is the latest year the airport has published.
Source: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México (AICM) — AICM en cifras, diciembre 2023 (PDF) · 2023 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Aviation safety oversight
The US FAA rates Mexico Category 1 under its International Aviation Safety Assessment programme, the same as Singapore and the UAE.
Source: US Federal Aviation Administration — International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program – country list (18 Apr 2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
11Work & business6
Job market; finding work
Low measured unemployment: 2.7% in 2025 (ILO modelled estimate), against 6.4% in Italy and 4.2% in the US. Foreigners need a residence permit with work authorisation (see 1001).
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators – Mexico, Italy, US (API): GDP per capita, GDP growth, population, rural population, female share, unemployment (ILO modelled) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Work culture
The legal working week is 48 hours in 2026, falling to 46 (2027), 44 (2028), 42 (2029) and 40 hours (2030) under a reform in force from 1 May 2026. Paid leave starts at 12 days after a year's service and rises by 2 days a year to 20; holiday bonus at least 25% of pay; Christmas bonus (aguinaldo) at least 15 days' pay before 20 December.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley Federal del Trabajo — Ley Federal del Trabajo (última reforma DOF 14-05-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Employment law
The Federal Labour Law sets a maximum working day of 8 hours (7 at night), paid holiday of at least 12 working days after a year (rising to 20), 12 weeks' paid maternity leave and 5 days' paternity leave (see 6009).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley Federal del Trabajo (Federal Labour Law) — Ley Federal del Trabajo (last reform DOF 14 May 2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Starting a business; company formation
A simplified joint-stock company (SAS) can be formed online on gob.mx/tuempresa, free and without a notary. Shareholders must be individuals (one or more), each signing with a SAT e.firma. Its total income may not exceed MXN 7,678,849.94 a year in 2026 (≈US$415,200).
Source: Secretaría de Economía — 2.1.1 Sociedad por Acciones Simplificadas (SAS) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Freelancing / self-employment
Visitors may not do paid work in Mexico. Temporary residents may obtain a permit to work for pay, tied to a job offer; permanent residents may work. A temporary-residence applicant working remotely for a foreign employer needs the employer's written agreement (San Diego consulate). Tax for the self-employed: see 4005 (RESICO).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración — Ley de Migración (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Startup ecosystem
Mexico ranks 58th of 139 economies in WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2025: 10th of 36 upper-middle-income economies and 3rd of 21 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — Mexico ranking in the Global Innovation Index 2025 · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
12Language, culture & integration10
Official language(s)
Spanish and the recognised indigenous languages are all "national languages" with the same validity, and indigenous languages can be used for any public procedure (Linguistic Rights Law, Arts. 4 and 7).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley General de Derechos Lingüísticos de los Pueblos Indígenas — Ley General de Derechos Lingüísticos de los Pueblos Indígenas (última reforma DOF 18-10-2023) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
English proficiency
Mexico scored 440 in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, below the global average of 488; Mexico City scored 428. EF's index is a private test-based ranking.
Source: EF Education First — EF English Proficiency Index 2025 – fact sheet Mexico · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Social etiquette; culture
Punctuality is the norm for business and government appointments, but social timing is looser (guests may arrive up to an hour late). Business lunches often start at 2–3 p.m. and can last two hours or more. Tipping is voluntary and cannot be added to the bill without consent; no law sets the amount (Profeco).
Source: U.S. International Trade Administration (Department of Commerce) — Mexico – Business Travel and Etiquette (Country Commercial Guide, last published 17 Feb 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Expat communities; making friends; networking
The 2020 census counted 1,212,252 people born abroad living in Mexico, 797,266 of them born in the United States, the largest group. 104,629 foreign-born people lived in Mexico City.
Source: INEGI — Resultados del Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020 (presentación) · 2020 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Marriage; divorce; dating
In Mexico City marriage is the union of two persons before the Civil Registry; both must be 18 or over. Divorce can be bilateral or requested by one spouse alone, with a proposal on custody, support and property (Civil Code Arts. 146, 148, 266–267).
Source: Procuraduría Ambiental y del Ordenamiento Territorial de la CDMX (PAOT) – compilación legal — Código Civil para el Distrito Federal (última reforma GOCDMX 21-11-2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Religion; faith-based travellers
Religious freedom is respected: Freedom House scores the freedom to practise and express religious faith or non-belief 4 out of 4 (2026).
Source: Freedom House — Freedom in the World 2026 – Mexico · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Freedom of speech
Speech is partly free: Freedom House scores free media 2/4, freedom to express personal views 3/4 and freedom of assembly 3/4 (2026).
Source: Freedom House — Freedom in the World 2026 – Mexico · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Public holidays; festivals
Statutory paid holidays: 1 Jan; first Monday of Feb (for 5 Feb); third Monday of Mar (for 21 Mar); 1 May; 16 Sep; third Monday of Nov (for 20 Nov); 25 Dec; 1 Oct every six years when a new president takes office; and election days. Day of the Dead is not on the statutory list; Mexico City holds a Day of the Dead parade (31 Oct 2026).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley Federal del Trabajo — Ley Federal del Trabajo (última reforma DOF 14-05-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Food scene; things to do; nightlife; sports
Mexico City has 11 of Mexico's 29 MICHELIN-starred restaurants (2026 Guide): two-star Pujol and Quintonil, and nine one-star, including Em, Expendio de Maíz, Máximo, Rosetta and Sud 777. The city has 140 museums with 15.8 million visitors (INEGI, 2022).
Source: MICHELIN Guide — Every MICHELIN-Starred Restaurant in Mexico for 2026, Plus the Year's Key Trends (20 May 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Accessibility for disabled people
Federal law requires accessibility in public and private buildings and access to transport for people with disabilities (Inclusion Law Arts. 16 and 19). Mexico City had 493,589 residents with a disability in 2020 (5.4%; INEGI).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley General para la Inclusión de las Personas con Discapacidad — Ley General para la Inclusión de las Personas con Discapacidad (última reforma DOF 14-06-2024) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
13Government, law & society4
Political system; stability
Partly free: Freedom House rates Mexico "Partly Free", 58/100 (political rights 26/40, civil liberties 32/60; 59 last year). An electoral democracy since 2000, now dominated by Morena, with severe rule-of-law problems: organised-crime violence, corruption and impunity.
Source: Freedom House — Freedom in the World 2026 – Mexico · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Local laws; criminal penalties; arrest notification
Drug possession and use are illegal and can mean long jail sentences, including for marijuana legal in some US states. Bringing firearms or ammunition without Mexican permits is a serious crime (US carry permits are not valid). If arrested, ask police to notify the US Embassy. Foreigners may not take part in Mexican politics (Constitution Art. 33).
Source: US Department of State — Mexico – International Travel Information (advisory Level 2, 29 May 2026; guidance 11 Aug 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Religious government
Mexico is a secular state (Constitution Art. 40: a "representative, democratic, secular and federal republic"), founded on the separation of state and churches. Ministers of religion may vote but cannot stand for election or hold senior public office unless they leave the ministry 5 years (3 for senior posts) beforehand.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Asociaciones Religiosas y Culto Público — Ley de Asociaciones Religiosas y Culto Público (última reforma DOF 14-11-2025) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Economy overview
Weak growth: GDP rose 0.6% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2024 (Italy 0.5%, US 2.2% in 2025). GDP per head was US$13,889 (2025).
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators – Mexico, Italy, US (API): GDP per capita, GDP growth, population, rural population, female share, unemployment (ILO modelled) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
14Moving logistics2
Moving checklist; first-week tasks
First weeks: within 30 days of entry apply to INM for your residence card (1011); get an RFC tax number if you will file returns or invoice (1011); open a bank account with passport, immigration document, CURP and proof of address (4011); contract electricity with CFE (9003); insure any car before driving (10003).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración — Ley de Migración (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Shipping household goods; customs allowance
Household goods: permanent residents may import them once, tax-free, if they arrive up to 3 months before or 6 months after you; temporary residents can import them temporarily; visitors cannot. The Mexican consulate issues the certified list of goods (menaje de casa) beforehand.
Source: Embajada de México en Rumania (SRE) — Menaje de casa para extranjeros que van a México (updated 31 Dec 2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
15Demographics5
Population; density
Mexico has 131.9 million people (2025, World Bank); the 2020 census counted 126.0 million (INEGI).
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators – Mexico, Italy, US (API): GDP per capita, GDP growth, population, rural population, female share, unemployment (ILO modelled) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
GDP per capita; income level
GDP per head US$13,889 in 2025 (World Bank), against US$43,309 in Italy and US$90,027 in the US.
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators – Mexico, Italy, US (API): GDP per capita, GDP growth, population, rural population, female share, unemployment (ILO modelled) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Education level
People aged 15+ in Mexico City average 11.5 years of schooling, against 9.7 years nationally (2020 census).
Source: INEGI — Principales resultados del Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020. Ciudad de México · 2020 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Tourist volume; overcrowding
Mexico received 47.8 million international tourists in 2025 (+6.1%) and 98.2 million international visitors including same-day visitors (+13.6%), preliminary figures.
Source: INEGI — Encuestas de Viajeros Internacionales (EVI) – Boletín 82/26 (12 Feb 2026) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Gender ratio
Slightly more women than men: women are 51.5% of the population (2025), about 941 males per 1,000 females (Italy 51.1% women, US 49.8%).
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators – Mexico, Italy, US (API): GDP per capita, GDP growth, population, rural population, female share, unemployment (ILO modelled) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
16Expat sentiment2
Expat Insider indices — Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance, Expat Essentials
No reliable source yet. The only published measure is InterNations' Expat Insider survey, a self-selected online survey; MPH uses crowd surveys as a cross-check only and does not cite them. To be filled from MPH's own member survey.
No reliable source yet · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Return rate; liked by members
No source yet. Return rate and "liked by members" come from MPH's own member data, which has not been collected.
No reliable source yet · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
17Food, groceries & markets13
Supermarket chains — discount / mid / premium
Walmart de México runs 3,316 stores: 2,698 Bodega Aurrerá (discount), 338 Walmart hypermarkets, 104 Walmart Express supermarkets and 176 Sam's Club. Soriana has about 820 stores; La Comer 92, including its City Market and Fresko formats (2025).
Source: Expansión — Bodega Aurrera vs Tiendas 3B: ¿quién gana en precios bajos? (5 Mar 2026) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Fresh produce markets — municipal markets, farmers' markets, market days
Mexico City's Central de Abasto in Iztapalapa covers 327 hectares, trades about 30,000 tonnes of food a day and receives up to half a million visitors daily.
Source: Gobierno de la Ciudad de México – Mexico City visitor portal — Central de Abasto · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Fish and seafood markets
La Nueva Viga fish and seafood market, part of the Central de Abasto complex, opened in 1993 on Prolongación Eje 6 Sur.
Source: El Financiero — Historia del mercado de La Viga… (28 Mar 2024) · 2024 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Seasonal and local produce
Profeco publishes a monthly list of fruit and vegetables in season. In April, for example: strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, mango, banana, papaya, mamey, melon, lime and orange; spinach, chard, carrot, cucumber, peas, beetroot, cabbage, chayote, cauliflower, potato, nopal and radish.
Source: adn40 — Profeco revela cuáles son las frutas y verduras de temporada en abril: lista completa (13 Apr 2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Organic availability; organic certification
To be sold as "organic" a product must be certified by a body approved by SENASICA (20 approved in 2021) Products with 70% to under 95% organic ingredients may not carry the national organic seal. Mexico had 52,274 organic producers on 1.27 million hectares (2021).
Source: Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) — Comercialización de Productos Orgánicos (2021 statistics) · 2021 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Dietary needs — halal, kosher, vegetarian / vegan, gluten-free
Kosher certification is used by large Mexican food brands such as Herdez, Alpura, Bimbo and Sabritas (2016; certifier Kosher KMD). Halal, vegetarian and gluten-free options were not reviewed.
Source: El Financiero — Kosher, el ejemplo a seguir en cuanto a certificación (22 Feb 2016) · 2016 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Allergen labelling rules
Pre-packed food labels must declare allergens in visible type, introduced by "Contiene" (contains) or "Puede contener" (may contain), under NOM-051, whose 2020 amendment also added front-of-pack warning seals.
Source: Garrigues (law firm) — México: requisitos del etiquetado en alimentos y bebidas para su importación y comercialización (July 2025) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Food safety standards and inspection
Food hygiene is regulated by NOM-251-SSA1-2009 (Health Ministry, DOF 1 March 2010), which sets minimum good hygiene practices for processing food, drinks and supplements; it was issued by the federal health-risk agency COFEPRIS.
Source: FAO – FAOLEX legal database (copy of DOF text) — NOM-251-SSA1-2009, Prácticas de higiene para el proceso de alimentos, bebidas o suplementos alimenticios (DOF 01-03-2010) · 2010 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Alcohol rules — where it can be bought, licences, restrictions
Selling or supplying alcohol to minors (under 18) is banned by federal law and treated like the crime of corrupting minors (General Health Law Art. 220).
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley General de Salud — Ley General de Salud · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Grocery and meal delivery services
Uber One costs MXN 70 a month and gives $0 delivery fees on eligible Uber Eats food, alcohol and grocery orders (Uber). DiDi Club costs MXN 69 a month and Rappi Pro MXN 109 (or free with Amazon Prime), both with unlimited free delivery (Expansión, Jun 2024 prices).
Source: Uber México — Regístrate en la membresía Uber One | Uber · 2026 · checked 18 Oct 2026
Local cuisine overview
Traditional Mexican cuisine is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list (2010): it is built on corn, beans and chili, with native tomatoes, squash, avocado, cocoa and vanilla, and techniques such as nixtamalisation of maize; tortillas and tamales are everyday staples.
Source: UNESCO – Intangible Cultural Heritage — Traditional Mexican cuisine – ancestral, ongoing community culture, the Michoacán paradigm (inscribed 2010) · 2010 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Restaurant scene and dining cost
Mexico City has 11 MICHELIN-starred restaurants (2026), including two-star Pujol and Quintonil. Typical restaurant spend is MXN 251–400 per person (CANIRAC, 2026; see 2002).
Source: MICHELIN Guide — Every MICHELIN-Starred Restaurant in Mexico for 2026, Plus the Year's Key Trends (20 May 2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Tap water drinkable
No: CDC states that tap water in Mexico is not safe to consume (see 8006).
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — CDC Yellow Book – Mexico (Americas & Caribbean) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
18Questions US movers ask7
US Social Security totalisation agreement; pension paid abroad
No: there is no US–Mexico Social Security (totalization) agreement in force, so US and Mexican credits cannot be combined.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) — Status of totalization agreements – agreements in force · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Flight time and direct flights to major US hubs
Non-stop flights from Mexico City (MEX) to every major US hub. Scheduled times (Oct 2026): Dallas-Fort Worth 2h45–3h00 (American, Volaris, Aeroméxico Connect); Miami 3h10–4h05; Los Angeles 3h50–4h25; Chicago O'Hare 4h00–4h45 (incl. United); New York JFK 5h00–5h55 (Aeroméxico, VivaAerobus, American, Delta).
Source: FlightAware — Flight Finder: Benito Juárez Intl (MEX) – US airports (scheduled non-stop flights) · Oct 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Time-zone offset from US Eastern / Pacific
Under the 2022 time-zone law Mexico City is on Central Zone time (UTC−6) all year; seasonal (summer) time applies only in some northern border municipalities. Mexico City is 2 hours behind US Eastern and 1 hour ahead of US Pacific during US daylight time, 1 behind Eastern and 2 ahead of Pacific in winter.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de los Husos Horarios en los Estados Unidos Mexicanos — Ley de los Husos Horarios en los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (DOF 28-10-2022; última reforma DOF 29-11-2022) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Language test required for residency or citizenship
No language test appears in the consulate requirements read for temporary or retiree permanent residence. Citizenship requires passing a Spanish exam (see 1007).
Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) – Consulate of Mexico in Washington, DC — Residente temporal – requisitos (2026, PDF) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Remote work permitted under each visa
Visitors (up to 180 days) may not do paid activities in Mexico. Temporary residents (up to 4 years) may get a work permit tied to a job offer; consulates accept remote work for a foreign employer with the employer's written agreement (San Diego). Permanent residents may work.
Source: Cámara de Diputados – Ley de Migración — Ley de Migración (última reforma DOF 15-01-2026) · 2026 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Setting options — urban / suburban / rural / coastal / mountain
Mostly urban: 79% of people lived in places of 2,500+ inhabitants in 2020 and 21% in smaller rural localities. High mountains include Pico de Orizaba (5,610 m) and Popocatépetl (5,419 m) (INEGI).
Source: INEGI — Estadísticas a propósito del Día Mundial de la Población (Comunicado 378/21, Jul 2021) · 2020 · checked 17 Oct 2026
Bureaucracy and admin ease
Middling administration: World Bank 2025 government-effectiveness score 48.6/100 (Italy 71.3) and regulatory quality 51.5 (Italy 65.8).
Source: World Bank – Worldwide Governance Indicators — Government effectiveness and regulatory quality, 0–100 – Mexico, Italy (API, source 3) · 2025 · checked 17 Oct 2026
155 verified facts from 104 sources; last checked 18 Oct 2026. Facts marked "No reliable source yet" are shown on purpose, rather than filled with guesses.
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The information on this page is published by Mission Point Holdings LLC for informational and intelligence purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal, or immigration advice. Figures are taken from official and published sources on the dates shown and change often; the monthly budget is an MPH calculation based on stated assumptions, not a quote. Residency and visa rules, tax treatment and costs vary by person and change frequently; confirm all requirements with qualified local legal and tax counsel before moving or committing capital. Mission Point Holdings LLC has no financial relationship with any provider named on this page.