Mexico A–Z: Relocation Glossary of Spanish Terms (2026)

The essentials

44 terms across 6 topics: immigration, money & tax, housing & property, health, daily life, driving & moving.
Each definition is short and factual, and links to the guide that covers the topic in depth.
Fees and thresholds mentioned are 2026 figures from official sources, as cited in the linked guides.

Mexican paperwork runs on acronyms and Spanish terms that rarely appear in English guides. Bookmark this page: when a consulate, INM office, bank or landlord uses a word you don't know, look it up here, then follow the link for the full process.

A

Apostilla — ApostilleImmigration: A certificate that makes a public document (birth or marriage certificate, for example) valid in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention, as Mexico does. Consulates usually ask for apostilled certificates for dependents, often with an official Spanish translation. Gathering your documents →
Aval — GuarantorHousing & property: A person — often a local property owner — who guarantees your lease. Many landlords ask for one; newcomers without a local guarantor often use a póliza jurídica instead. Renting in Mexico →

B

BanjercitoDriving & moving: The Mexican army's bank, which issues temporary import permits (TIPs) for foreign-plated vehicles, online or at the border. Temporary vehicle import permits →

C

Cambio de condición de estancia — Change of immigration statusImmigration: The INM procedure for moving from one status to another — most often from temporary to permanent residency after four years. In 2026 it costs MX$1,847 to apply plus the new card's fee. Switching to permanent residency →
Canje — ExchangeImmigration: The INM procedure in which you exchange the resident visa from a Mexican consulate for a residency card. You have 30 calendar days from entering Mexico to start it. The canje process →
CFE — Federal Electricity CommissionDaily life: Mexico's state electricity company. Household rates are subsidized up to a usage limit; homes that exceed it move to the much more expensive DAC tariff. Paying bills →
Cisterna — Underground water tankHousing & property: A storage tank, usually below ground, that holds water delivered by the municipal supply. A pump lifts it to the tinaco on the roof. What to check before renting →
Comida corrida — Set lunchDaily life: An affordable fixed-price midday meal — usually soup, a main course, a drink and sometimes dessert — served at small local restaurants. Everyday prices →
Comprobante de domicilio — Proof of addressDaily life: A recent utility bill or similar document showing where you live. Banks, phone companies and many government offices ask for one. Opening a bank account →
Consulado — ConsulateImmigration: A Mexican government office abroad. Residency applications start at a consulate, and each one publishes its own income and savings thresholds. Compare consulates →
CURP — Unique Population Registry CodeImmigration: Mexico's 18-character personal identification code. Residents receive one with their residency card and need it for banking, phone contracts and government procedures. After you get your card →

D

DAC — High-consumption tariffDaily life: CFE's Doméstica de Alto Consumo rate, applied when household electricity use passes the subsidized limit. Heavy air-conditioning users in hot cities are most at risk. Costs newcomers forget →

E

e.firma — Electronic signatureMoney & tax: The digital signature issued by SAT to people with an RFC, used to file and sign tax procedures online. Getting an RFC →
Ejido — Communal landHousing & property: Land held collectively by a community. It can't be sold safely to outsiders until it has been converted to full private ownership (dominio pleno), so buyers should avoid unconverted ejido land. Due diligence when buying →
Escritura — DeedHousing & property: The title deed for a property, executed by a notario público and registered with the public property registry. How buying works →

F

Fideicomiso — Bank trustHousing & property: The arrangement foreigners use to own residential property in the restricted zone (within 50 km of the coast or 100 km of a border). A Mexican bank holds title in trust for renewable 50-year terms. How a fideicomiso works →
FMM — Multiple Migration FormImmigration: The record of your entry into Mexico. Visitors receive one as their tourist permit; new residents' FMM is marked for canje, which they exchange for a residency card. Entering Mexico the right way →
Formato básico — Basic formImmigration: The INM form used in most immigration procedures. For renewals, INM now completes it electronically at the office. What INM asks for →

G

Garrafón — Water jugDaily life: A refillable 20-liter jug of purified drinking water, delivered to homes or bought at shops. Most households drink garrafón water rather than tap water.
Gastos médicos mayores — Major medical insuranceHealth: Mexican private health insurance that covers hospitalization and serious treatment, typically with a deductible and age limits for new enrollment. Choosing health insurance →

H

Hoja de ayuda — Payment sheetImmigration: The pre-filled payment form you print to pay a government fee at a bank. Names must match your passport exactly, or INM may reject the payment. Paying INM fees →

I

IMSS — Mexican Social Security InstituteHealth: Mexico's main public health system for workers. Residents can enroll voluntarily for an annual, age-based fee, with exclusions for some pre-existing conditions. IMSS for expats →
INAPAM — National Institute for Older AdultsDaily life: The agency that issues senior cards to residents aged 60 and over, giving discounts on buses, museums, some utilities and more. Senior discounts →
INM — National Immigration InstituteImmigration: The federal agency that runs immigration inside Mexico: entry, canje, renewals, changes of status and regularization. Residency visas explained →

M

Menaje de casa — Household goodsDriving & moving: A one-time, duty-free import of used household goods for new residents, arranged with a detailed inventory approved by the consulate. Household goods →

N

Notario público — Notary publicHousing & property: In Mexico, a senior lawyer appointed by the state who legally executes property sales, wills and other formal acts — a far more significant role than a US notary. How buying works →
Número de pieza — File numberImmigration: The number INM emails you with a password when you submit a procedure, used to track a pending application online. Submitting at INM →

O

OXXODaily life: Mexico's largest convenience-store chain, where you can pay many utility bills and top up phone credit. Paying bills →

P

Póliza jurídica — Lease guarantee policyHousing & property: A legal-services policy, paid by the tenant, that some landlords accept instead of an aval. What landlords ask for →
Predial — Property taxHousing & property: The annual municipal property tax. Rates are low compared with the US and Canada. Property taxes →

R

Regularización — RegularizationImmigration: The procedure for fixing an irregular stay, such as an expired card. Under the Migration Law you apply within 60 days and pay a fine of 20–100 UMA. If your card has expired →
Residente permanente — Permanent residentImmigration: Indefinite residency status with no renewals. Reached directly by qualifying retirees, through family ties, or after four years as a temporary resident. Permanent residency →
Residente temporal — Temporary residentImmigration: Residency status for one to four years, renewed inside Mexico. It's how most newcomers start. Temporary residency →
RFC — Federal Taxpayer RegistryMoney & tax: Your tax ID, issued by SAT. You need one to invoice Mexican clients, work locally, sell property tax-efficiently and for some bank products. How to get an RFC →

S

SAT — Tax Administration ServiceMoney & tax: Mexico's federal tax authority, which issues the RFC and e.firma. Taxes for expats →
Solvencia económica — Economic solvencyImmigration: Proof of income or savings above a consulate's published threshold — the most common way to qualify for residency. Residency calculator →
SPEIMoney & tax: Mexico's instant interbank transfer system, run by the Bank of Mexico. Rent and many bills are paid by SPEI transfer. Banking in Mexico →
SRE — Ministry of Foreign AffairsImmigration: The ministry that runs Mexico's consulates and the Citas SRE / MiConsulado appointment system. Consulate requirements →

T

Tianguis — Street marketDaily life: A weekly open-air market selling produce, food and household goods — usually the cheapest place to shop. Saving money →
Tinaco — Rooftop water tankHousing & property: The water tank on the roof that feeds the house by gravity. Check its size and condition before renting. What to check before renting →
TIP — Temporary import permitDriving & moving: The permit, issued by Banjercito, that lets visitors and temporary residents drive a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico outside the free zones. Permanent residents can't keep one. Temporary vehicle import permits →

U

UMA — Unit of Measure and UpdateMoney & tax: The reference unit Mexican law uses for thresholds and fines in place of the minimum wage. In 2026 it is MX$117.31 a day. Residency thresholds →
Unidad familiar — Family unityImmigration: The residency route for spouses, partners, children and parents of Mexican citizens or residents, usually without meeting the financial test yourself. Residency for spouses and children →

Z

Zona restringida — Restricted zoneHousing & property: Land within 50 km of the coast or 100 km of a border, where foreigners hold residential property through a fideicomiso. Where foreigners can buy →