Bank Account and SIM Card in Chile
How to open a bank account and use your phone in Chile as a student. Prices are in Chilean pesos (CLP).
Example bank
Example screen. A CuentaRUT is a basic BancoEstado bank account. You need your Chilean ID card to open one.
Student Banking in Chile
Most students start with a CuentaRUT from BancoEstado, Chile's state bank.
- CuentaRUT: an account with a debit card, with no opening or monthly fee.
- For Chileans and foreigners with a valid ID card.
- Transfers to other banks are free from 15 April 2026.
CuentaRUT Fees
| Bank | Monthly Fee (Student) | ATM Fee (Out-of-Network) | International Wire Fee (Incoming) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BancoEstado CuentaRUT | No fee | CLP 300 each time you take cash out at another bank's cash machine | Free to other banks |
*Fees may vary. Always check the latest information on the bank's official website.
Important
You need a valid Chilean ID card. Tourists (visitors) without a residence permit cannot open accounts at Chilean banks.
How to Open a Bank Account in Chile
The CuentaRUT from BancoEstado is a simple account for students with a Chilean ID card.
Get your Chilean ID card
Book it with the Civil Registry (Registro Civil, the office that gives ID cards) within 30 days of entering Chile.
Apply for a CuentaRUT
Fill in the form on the BancoEstado website with your valid ID card.
Start using it
Your CuentaRUT comes with a debit card. It has no opening or monthly fee.
Essential Documents:
- Valid Chilean ID card for foreigners - BancoEstado's CuentaRUT is for Chileans and foreigners with a valid ID card.
Tips
Book your Chilean ID card within 30 days of entering Chile. You need it for a CuentaRUT and for phone plans.
Tourists (visitors) cannot open accounts at Chilean banks.
SIM Card and Your Phone
Your phone from home can work in Chile, but you may need to register it.
Get a Chilean SIM card
Buy a SIM from a mobile company in Chile.
Check your phone
A phone bought outside Chile and used with a Chilean SIM must be registered within 30 days, or it is blocked. You get a text message with the steps.
Register within 30 days
You get an SMS with instructions. Register within 30 days, or the phone is blocked until you do.
- Register a phone you bought abroad, or it can be blocked.
- Dial *#06# on your phone. It shows the IMEI, your phone's own ID number. You need it to register the phone.
Tips for Money and Phone
Simple tips for your first weeks.
Get your ID card first
Banks ask for your Chilean ID card. It shows your RUN (Rol Único Nacional), your Chilean ID number. The RUN is also called the RUT.
Turn on card use abroad if you need it
To use a CuentaRUT card outside Chile, turn on international use in the BancoEstado app or website.
Banking Security
- You can block your CuentaRUT card and change its password in the BancoEstado app or online banking.
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