Uruguay

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Uruguay based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Uruguay does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Uruguay based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Uruguay does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.

Among the requirements to obtain a temporary residence in Uruguay is to have a Health Card, according to the Decree N° 387/976 of Regulation of the Obligatory of the Health Card Issued by the Ministry of Public Health. Among the tests required to obtain this card is a serological response to syphilis, however, there is no requirement of HIV testing.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Uruguay based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Uruguay does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.

Among the requirements to obtain the definitive residence in Uruguay is to have a Health Card, according to the Decree N° 387/976 of Regulation of the Obligatory of the Health Card Issued by the Ministry of Public Health. As above, there is a requirement for syphilis test, but no HIV test.

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Uruguay. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

IOM reports that in Uruguay, non-nationals have the same status as nationals in areas such as health, education, social protection and work. Article 8 of the Migration Act (Legislative Act No. 18.250 of 2008) states that migrants and their family members shall enjoy rights to health, work, social security, housing and education on an equal footing with nationals, and that such rights shall be protected and safeguarded for nationals and non-nationals alike. Non-nationals can register with the State health services free of charge (the National Health Fund and the State Health Services Administration) by presenting a valid identity card. Additional documentation may be required depending on the person’s legal status in the country. Health services include primary care (basic, low-complexity health services, such as preventive care services) and secondary care (hospital care and treatment in different medical specialties), as well as emergency services. 

Uruguay has national legislation regulating immigration and emigration. The Migration Act applies to the ‘admission, entry, stay and departure of persons in the national territory’. The decree regulating the Migration Act sets out the specific conditions applicable to entry, departure and stay, as well as relations with Uruguayans abroad. It also establishes a legal framework that guarantees migrants access to and enjoyment of the rights to health, work, social services and education on an equal footing with nationals. Uruguay has a comprehensive national strategy for migration. In September 2016, the Uruguayan Government issued the Migration Policy Framework Document for Uruguay, which was developed by JNM in cooperation with various ministries, agencies and State actors involved in migration issues – such as the Ministry of Education and Culture, the State Health Services Administration (Administración de los Servicios de Salud del Estado, ASSE) and the Uruguayan Parliament. The document sets out objectives, principles and general strategic guidelines for the State’s migration policy in the short, medium and long term. The general principles underlying the policy are respect for human rights, non-discrimination, social integration, respect for diversity, gender equality and the comprehensive protection of migrants.

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• Decree N° 387/976 of Regulation of the Obligatory of the Health Card Issued by the Ministry of Public Health
• International Organization for Migration

Migrant populations

Refugees and asylum seekers