Mexico · Latin America
Moving to Mexico City
Mexico City quick facts
Cost of living in Mexico City
Getting set up in Mexico
Legal residency, the Tarjeta de Residente & CURP
Mexican temporary residency is a two-country process: the residente temporal visa is issued at a Mexican consulate ABROAD first, then exchanged ('canje') for the physical Tarjeta de Residente at INM within 30 days of arrival. You qualify either through an INM-pre-authorized job offer (employer route) or by proving economic solvency (income ~US$4,400/mo or savings ~US$74,000). The card carries your CURP, the national ID number that unlocks banking, healthcare, utilities and an RFC tax ID.
Read the full step-by-step guideDriving: foreign licence + the CDMX permanent licencia de conducir
You can drive in Mexico on a valid foreign licence (carry an IDP as a Spanish translation, not a legal substitute). When you want a local one, CDMX issues a rare no-expiry permanent Tipo A licence for about MXN 1,500. Since November 2024 first-time applicants must pass a 20-question online theory exam first; there is NO road or simulator test. Book the appointment through Llave CDMX using your CURP and a CDMX/Edomex proof of address.
Read the full step-by-step guideOpening a bank account
Mexican accounts come in regulator-defined tiers (N1-N4). A fintech like Nu or Klar can open you a Nivel 2 account from your phone in minutes with just a passport and CURP, no proof of address, capped at ~MXN 24,000/month in deposits. To lift that cap, receive a salary, and bank normally you need the full account (Nivel 4), which a traditional bank (BBVA, Banorte, Citibanamex, Santander) opens in-branch once you add an RFC and a comprobante de domicilio. The comprobante is the real bottleneck for newcomers.
Read the full step-by-step guideHealthcare: IMSS, private insurance & emergencies
If you take a formal job, your employer must enroll you in IMSS (public health + pensions + work-injury) automatically, and you get a numero de seguridad social (NSS). IMSS coverage is free at point of use but means long waits and Spanish-only public clinics, so most professionals and expats in CDMX also pay for private insurance and use private hospitals like ABC, Medica Sur and Hospital Angeles. The self-employed can buy IMSS voluntarily (Seguro de Salud para la Familia) but it has waiting periods and excludes major pre-existing conditions. For emergencies, dial 911 nationwide.
Read the full step-by-step guideGetting a SIM / mobile plan
Buy a SIM almost anywhere - Oxxo, supermarkets, carrier shops, airport kiosks - and start on Telcel Amigo prepago for the best coverage with zero credit check. The big 2026 change: every Mexican line (prepaid included) must now be linked to a CURP plus a photo ID under a registration rule that took effect 9 January 2026, or it gets suspended around the end of June 2026. This is NOT the old biometric PANAUT (the Supreme Court struck that down) - no fingerprints or face scans, just your CURP and ID number. A plan (postpago) is cheaper per GB but needs ID, a credit check and usually a Mexican address, so most newcomers ride prepago for the first few months.
Read the full step-by-step guideIncome tax & RFC (tax ID) with SAT
If you work for a Mexican employer, you need an RFC (your tax ID) and your employer withholds income tax (ISR) from every paycheck through the payroll (nomina) and pays it to SAT for you. Most single-employer salaried workers never file an annual return. But once you spend more than 183 days in Mexico (or your centre of vital interests is here), you become a tax resident taxed on worldwide income, so coordinate with a cross-border accountant early. The RFC and its Constancia de Situacion Fiscal get requested constantly, so get them set up before day one of work.
Read the full step-by-step guideEach guide has verified costs, timelines, required documents, and the non-obvious gotchas — sourced from official government pages.
Essential Spanish phrases
What to know before you go
Take the altitude seriously your first days
CriticalCDMX sits at ~2,240m (7,350ft). Expect to get winded on stairs, dehydrated, and drunk faster than usual. Ease into exercise, drink water, and go easy on the mezcal at first.
Never drink the tap water
CriticalEven locals don't. Homes use garrafones (20L jugs) or filters; restaurants serve purified water. Brushing teeth with tap water is usually fine, but don't drink it.
Learn the earthquake drill
ImportantThe seismic alarm (alerta sísmica) gives seconds of warning. Know your building's safe spots and exits, and don't panic-run down stairs. The big citywide drill is each 19 September.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants
Good to knowPropina is expected and usually not included — leave 10-15%. Round up for taxis and tip baggers at the supermarket and parking valets (a few pesos).
Decode 'ahorita'
Good to knowWhen someone says ahorita ('right now'), it rarely means immediately. For plans, deliveries and tradespeople, pin down an actual time rather than trusting ahorita.
Use Uber or DiDi, especially at night
ImportantSkip hailing street taxis. App rides are cheap, tracked and far safer. Stay aware in crowds and on the Metro, and keep your phone out of sight on the street.
Top industries & employers
Technology & startups
Nubank, Kavak, Bitso, Clip, Konfío
Latin America's biggest startup hub, with an especially dense fintech cluster around Roma-Condesa and Reforma.
Financial services
BBVA México, Banorte, Citibanamex, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores
The country's banking and capital-markets centre — most major banks are headquartered on or around Reforma.
Media & entertainment
TelevisaUnivision, film & streaming productions
A Spanish-language content powerhouse, plus a booming film/TV production scene serving the whole region.
Professional services
Big Four, global consultancies, international law firms
Regional HQs and shared-service centres serving all of Mexico and Latin America.
Aviation & logistics
Aeroméxico, Mercado Libre, DHL
Major air hubs (AICM and the newer AIFA) and the e-commerce logistics that feed the country.
Consumer & retail
Grupo Bimbo, Walmart de México, FEMSA / OXXO
Some of Latin America's largest consumer companies run national operations from the capital.
Where to go in Mexico City
Centro Histórico & the Zócalo
Landmark · Cuauhtémoc
One of the world's great main squares, ringed by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the muralled National Palace and the Aztec Templo Mayor.
Local tip: Visit Templo Mayor early, then go up to a plaza rooftop terrace (e.g. the Gran Hotel) for the classic Zócalo view.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Nature · Miguel Hidalgo
A vast city park with a hilltop castle and the world-class Museo Nacional de Antropología.
Local tip: The Anthropology Museum alone needs half a day — go Tuesday to Friday to dodge the weekend crowds.
Coyoacán
Neighborhood · Coyoacán
A cobblestoned, bohemian southern barrio: Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, leafy plazas and churros-and-coffee weekends.
Local tip: Book Casa Azul tickets online days ahead — weekends sell out and the on-site queue is brutal.
Roma & Condesa
Neighborhood · Cuauhtémoc
Tree-lined Art-Deco streets with the city's best cafés, mezcalerías and restaurants — nomad central.
Local tip: Brunch around Plaza Río de Janeiro, then walk the leafy Avenida Ámsterdam loop (a former horse-racing track).
Xochimilco
Culture · Xochimilco
Pre-Hispanic canals where you cruise on brightly painted trajinera boats with food, music and mariachi.
Local tip: Go with a group, bring your own snacks and drinks, and agree the per-hour boat price before you board.
Mercado de San Juan
Hidden gemFood · Centro
A legendary gourmet market famed for exotic ingredients and stand-up seafood and quesadilla counters.
Local tip: Come hungry at lunch — vendors hand out generous tastings, and the prepared-food stalls are the move.