Embassy of Uruguay in Germany

Under this regime, Uruguayan nationals who have resided abroad for an uninterrupted period of more than two years and decide to return to Uruguay to establish permanent residence may bring in, on a one-time basis and exempt from all customs duties, taxes or related levies, their personal belongings, work tools and/or a motor vehicle.

Return under this law is permanent and one-time only; anyone who wishes to return to this regime in the future will not be able to do so.

Who can apply?

• People born in Uruguay
• People born abroad to a mother/father born in Uruguay (Law 16.021)
• People born abroad to a grandmother/grandfather born in Uruguay (Law 19.362)

Requirements

• Valid identity card and/or passport in good condition for those returning.
• To prove residence in Germany, you must present your registration certificate ‘Erweiterte Meldebescheinigung’, which states the period during which you resided in the country.
• List of belongings (the transport company's packing list is not accepted). This list of belongings must comply with the conditions set out in the Return Manual (available to download at the bottom of the page, along with the list of belongings' model you will need to use).

If you are bringing in tools, machines, appliances and instruments necessary for the exercise of your profession, art or trade, you must also submit:

• List of tools or machines for professional use (the transport company's packing list is not accepted). This list is made separately from the list of personal belongings. If they are simple tools for domestic use, they should be included in the list of personal belongings.
• Proof of employment in your profession or trade, or other documents (degree or institutional certificate) proving your profession, art or trade.

In the case of importing a vehicle, you must also submit:

• Title deed, purchase invoice or contract of sale for the vehicle, stating the date and place of purchase. The title deed or purchase invoice must be in the name of the interested party and must include the vehicle's identification details, primarily the engine and chassis numbers. This document must be duly apostilled and translated by a Uruguayan public translator.
• If you are married, you must present:

1. Spouse's identity document.
2. Marriage certificate.
3. Certificate of separation of property, if applicable and prior to the acquisition of the vehicle.
4. If you are married under the community property regime, you will also need authorisation from your spouse to bring the vehicle into the country. The authorisation must be signed in person at the Consulate.
5. In the case of divorce: present your divorce certificate.
6. In the case of widowhood: present your marriage certificate and your spouse's death certificate.

Regardless of marital status, all supporting documentation for these purposes, if foreign, must be apostilled.

Notes:

• It will be verified that residence abroad was not interrupted at any time (i.e., that the applicant did not spend more than 90 days in Uruguay per year within that two-year period).
• In the case of bringing a vehicle into the country, it is necessary to have owned and used the vehicle (for use in the country of residence) for at least one year at the time of initiating the return process.
• Only one motor vehicle per person will be allowed, and only once.
• The vehicle may not be sold or transferred for a period of two years from the date of entry into Uruguay and must be registered with the Departmental Government of the domicile in the Republic within 30 days of release and removal from Customs.

How to apply?

Once you have carefully reviewed the requirements and read the Return Manual in detail, send your application to urualemania@mrree.gub.uy attaching the required documents.

After verifying the information, you will receive a reply with the details of your appointment to appear at the Consulate on the date and time indicated.

Cost

Free of charge.