Guides
Useful information for settling in the Dominican Republic. For legal/immigration matters, always confirm with official sources — details change.
🛂 Residency & paperwork
The responsible authority is the Dirección General de Migración (DGM), under Law 285-04 and Regulation 631-11. Typically you first get a residency visa (RS) at a Dominican consulate, then, once in the country, file for temporary residency (RT card, valid 1 year, renewed annually) with the DGM. The file includes a DGM-authorized medical exam (valid 1 year), a criminal record certificate from your home country and from the DR, and proof of means of support. After 5 continuous years of legal temporary residency you can apply for permanent residency; Law 171-07 offers a faster path for retirees and "rentiers" with stable monthly income from abroad.
Always verify exact requirements and fees at migracion.gob.do or with an immigration lawyer — these can change without notice.
🏦 Bank account
A foreigner can open an account at any Dominican bank (Banreservas, Popular, BHD León, Scotiabank, etc.) without special authorization from the Central Bank. Typically required: valid passport (or residency card, if you have one), proof of address in the DR, proof of income/source of funds, and a minimum opening deposit that varies by bank. Without residency, some banks still offer basic accounts for foreigners, with lower limits.
Ask the branch you choose for the exact document list — it varies by bank and is updated often.
🚗 Driving license
A valid foreign license lets you drive in the DR as a tourist. Once you obtain legal residency, traffic law gives you up to 6 months to switch to a Dominican license — after that, the foreign license is no longer valid for residents. The process usually involves legalizing your home-country license and, for larger categories (truck, bus), a written and practical test.
Romania does not currently have a bilateral license-exchange agreement with the DR (unlike Spain) — check the current situation with DGII/INTRANT.
🏥 Health
The public system is built on health-risk administrators (ARS); the largest is SeNaSa, run by the state. Legal residents with a formal job are usually enrolled automatically by their employer (contributory regime). For those without a Dominican employer there are voluntary private plans or SeNaSa's plan for independents/diaspora. Many expats also carry international health insurance alongside the local system.
Compare plans and terms directly with the ARS providers — costs and coverage change year to year.
🏫 Schools
Article 63 of the DR Constitution guarantees free, compulsory public education at the initial, basic, and middle levels for all residents, not just Dominican citizens. In practice, public schools usually ask for a birth certificate (can be electronic) and ID documents for the child/parents. In high-demand areas (Greater Santo Domingo), public school spots can be limited.
Confirm exact requirements with MINERD or directly at the school you choose — they can vary by region.
🏠 Housing
Rent is usually negotiated in US dollars or pesos, with a security deposit (commonly 1-2 months) plus the first month upfront; notarized contracts give more legal security. You don't need residency to sign a rental contract or buy property as a foreigner. Popular areas for the expat community include Santo Domingo (Piantini, Naco, Bella Vista), Punta Cana/Bávaro, and Las Terrenas.
Always verify the property title through a lawyer independent of the agency before signing, especially when buying.
Useful contacts
Verified official numbers and addresses. Hours and lines can change — confirm on the institution's website before you travel there.