Cost of Living in Taiwan
Planning your move to Taiwan? Here is everything you need to know about cost of living for digital nomads and expats in 2026.
- The ARC Requirement: To open a bank account, sign a long-term apartment lease, or get a postpaid SIM card, you must have an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), which the Gold Card provides.
- Banks: Fubon Bank and E.SUN Bank are popular. However, Taiwanese banking apps and online banking portals are often poorly translated and require navigating complex security procedures (like physical card readers or OTPs).
- The "Uniform Invoice" Lottery: Every receipt you get in Taiwan has a lottery number. The government holds a draw every two months with prizes up to 10 million NTD to encourage businesses to pay taxes. You can link a barcode to your phone to digitally collect these receipts.
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