The Law Firm of Spencer Global is composed of Chilean Attorneys, Lawyers, and other Experts dedicated to providing legal and investment services exclusively to international clients.

We represent a diverse group of clients from around the Globe. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, small investors, families relocating, Chilean citizens living abroad, and even foreign lawyers and law firms requiring assistance with international legal matters in Chile.

We provide services across Chile. From corporate clients in the Capital of Santiago to families wishing to relocate to remote towns in the Patagonia of Southern Chile.

All of our legal, relocation, and immigration services are provided by English Speaking Attorneys, translators, and other staff.

As always, we are happy to answer any questions you might have.



CHILEAN LAW

Chile's department of immigration (Departamento de Extranjería y Migración) has determined that the time before a person qualifies for applying for full residency in Chile starts when temporary residency is granted and you receive your official visa status in your passport. The Chilean Goverment has also set new limits on how much time you must be physically in Chile to qualify for Citizenship in Chile.

The retirement and periodic income visa in Chile is for most foreigners the most direct and commonly granted visa to live and work in Chile. You do not need to be retired to obtain this visa. You do need to prove sufficient money and resources to support yourself and your family. This visa allows you to work, start a business, invest in Chile, or simply do nothing. Of all the different types of visas available in Chile, the retirement and periodic income visa comes with the least number of conditions attached to it, and most foreigners will qualify for this visa in Chile.

When buying real estate in Chile, all property in Chile must go three general phases of purchase to be a complete and valid property transfer. First phase is negotiation and title search. Followed by contract signing or real estate closing phase. Finally, title registration and payment. We will describe briefly what must occur in each of these phases of a real estate purchase, and how a particular property purchase might deviate from these broad categories.

Sooner or later, everyone with assets in Chile is going to pass on. It is critical that foreigners understand as owners of real estate and other assets in Chile exactly how the inheritance laws in Chile work. Estate planning is very different in Chile, due to the tradition of mandatory inheritors under Chilean law. This overview we hope will be of assistance for getting started with estate planning, and also for those family members that may be heirs to estates under the jurisdiction of Chile.

There are two types of numbers commonly referred to as a “RUT” in Chile. A temporary "RUT" or "rol único tributario" for foreigners is only a tax payer ID number. Another type of “RUT” (sometimes called RUN) is for Chilean citizens and Chilean Residents. The permanent RUT for citizens and residents is a national ID number, similar to a Social Security Number, and is used for passports, tax issues, Identification, and many other things. Companies are also issued “RUT” numbers for tax purposes.