Rules for overlanding in Uruguay
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 1 March 2026.
Which licence you need
- All vehicles — For tourists the ministry lists either an Italian or an international licence, and says to confirm the requirements with the competent authorities or with the rental companies. Check what applies to the licence you hold.
An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.
At the wheel
- Insurance — Third-party cover is taken out at the border. The ministry points to the Uruguayan government page on bringing in tourists' vehicles under the Mercosur rules for the up-to-date requirements.
- Junctions and surface — Drive with particular care, above all at junctions, both outside and inside built-up areas, the capital included. Signage is poor, the road surface is often in bad condition, and roadworks on the carriageway are sometimes not properly signed.
- Street lighting — Road lighting is often inadequate, especially outside the capital and in the outlying districts.
- Fuel — Maximum fuel prices are set by the government. Petrol comes as common at 91 octane, super at 95 and premium at 97, with a 2026 ceiling of 76.88 Uruguayan pesos a litre for super, the most used grade. Diesel comes as 10-s, the premium low-sulphur grade capped at 54.32 pesos a litre in 2026, or as ordinary 50-s.
What catches travellers out
- Cannabis is for residents — A law legalised marijuana, but it can only be bought by residents of Uruguay, who must first sign up to a register, and only in certain licensed pharmacies. Offences involving the use and possession of drugs carry severe penalties, much as in Italy.
- No food imports — Importing products of animal or vegetable origin is prohibited, dairy, meat, cured meats and fruit and vegetables included, unless you can produce the relevant health documentation.
- Currency — You only need to declare currency at customs on entry if the amount is 10,000 USD or more. Exchange offices take both dollars and euro.
- Stays over 90 days — No visa is needed for tourism for stays under 90 days. To stay longer you must sort your position out before that deadline, either asking for a further 90 days or starting the temporary or permanent residence process with the national migration office.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 1 March 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Uruguay before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 1 March 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.