What benefits does Uruguay offer for the summer of 2026, plans to increase tourism, and the new flag carrier?

Uruguay's beaches are beginning to appear on the horizon next summer, from the famous Punta del Este to quieter spots, from Colonia to Piriápolis, La Paloma, and Cabo Polonio.

"Especially with Argentina and Brazil, the determinants of demand are the relative price differences due to the exchange rate and the growth in the issuing country ," explains Pablo Menoni, Uruguay's Minister of Tourism, in a conversation with Clarín. And to address current issues, he emphasizes, along with Cristian Pos, Uruguay's National Director of Tourism, the importance of taking measures such as increasing Uruguay's presence at promotional events and using microsegmentation to make spending more efficient when selling Uruguay in other markets.

Between January and August of this year, Uruguay received 1,400,000 Argentines .

The outlook for the numbers for the next season is that " they will be very similar to those of last summer," estimates the minister and explains his plans that go beyond the summer: "Now what we want is to look up and talk about tourism in 2030 , what tourism and what inbound tourism we want to have. To do that we have to break the inertia of low growth that we had post-pandemic. Year after year the growth is smaller and we are reaching a trend value that we want to break."

In this project, a very important factor is connectivity with the region .

That's why they are proposing incentives in the new Budget Law for foreign airlines that carry more foreign visitors (less than a month ago, Aerolíneas Argentinas announced more frequencies from Argentina for the summer and the new flights São Paulo-Punta del Este and Porto Alegre-Punta del Este) and they expect the entry into operation - for the second half of 2026 - of SUA, the future flag carrier that already has 15 approved routes.

For several years now, Uruguay has been implementing a series of benefits to entice international tourists. And this 2025/2026 season will be no exception : the incentives are renewed, with proposals aimed at making the experience of enjoying its beaches more accessible.

This is what is currently in effect:

Zero VAT applies to hotels and lodging establishments . This benefit applies to foreign tourists with identification documents issued abroad. It is valid all year round .

Please note: this benefit applies only to reservations made directly at the hotel , which must be registered with the Ministry of Tourism (not valid for online booking platforms).

Nine points of VAT are being refunded on food services in restaurants, bars, canteens, confectioneries, cafes, tea rooms, and similar establishments, or by hotels, motels, aparthotels, inns, tourist lodges, country hotels, tourist farms, country inns, cottages, and camping hostels. The benefit begins in November and continues until April 30, 2026 .

In addition, this same benefit of a 9-point VAT refund is added for catering services (for parties and events), services for parties and events (not included in catering)

• Temporary property rental

A 9-point VAT refund is being applied to brokerage services—real estate, for example—for the rental of properties used for tourism. The benefit applies to the summer season and remains in effect until April 30, 2026.

And it's for those who pay with debit or credit cards or electronic money.

• Car rental (without driver)

Uruguayan regulations establish a 9-point VAT refund on "vehicle rentals without drivers." The benefit remains in effect until April 30, 2026.

It allows you to obtain a discount of up to 14.4% on products included in the system (clothing, leather, crafts, food and beverages).

What conditions must be taken into account:

• Shop at stores that participate in the Tax-Free system.

• Complete the process at the time of purchase.

• Leave Uruguay through any of the authorized points : Carrasco International Airport, Laguna del Sauce Airport, Port of Montevideo, Port of Colonia, Punta del Este Cruise Arrivals Terminal, Salto-Concordia Bridge, Paysandú-Colón Bridge, Fray Bentos-Puerto Unzué Bridge and Chuy.

• Submit your refund request at the identified posts when leaving the country.