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Mexico really takes care of its retiree population. Not only can you get access to various discounts on things like airfare, bus tickets, and movie theaters, but you can also get as much as 50% off your property taxes in Mexico.
If you’ve never heard of this program, it is called INAPAM, and it’s 100% free. Read the full article to understand who can apply, how to apply, and what discounts you can get. Plus some other special circumstances that no one talks about.
INAPAM is an acronym for Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores. It’s a government initiative, but the real benefit is its discounts on purchases like airfare, medicines, doctor’s visits, and even utilities. Several retailers and government agencies have partnered with this program throughout Mexico and offer Mexico’s resident’s age 60 and over various excellent discounts.
Who Can Apply?
To apply, you have to be over the age of 60. And the program is only available to legal permanent residents and Mexican nationals.
As of 2023, temporary residents are being turned away at Mexico’s INAPAM offices. However, this varies (like everything in Mexico) by city.
In 2023 You can get an INAPAM as a Temporary Resident in:
Ensenada
Huatulco
Merida
Aguascalientes
And Permanent Residents can get INAPAM in:
San Miguel de Allende
Chapala
Leon
Queretaro
Guanajuato
Cabo
The way to prove your legal status in Mexico is through an alphanumerical number you can get when you get residency in Mexico, known as a CURP. It’s kind of like a social security number in the U.S. It’s unique to you, and it’s one of the required documents you’ll need to present to get an INAPAM card.
How Do You Apply?
First, you must locate the proper office that processes INAPAM cards in your local city.
The Mexican government’s website gives you the different INAPAM service centers throughout Mexico, where you will need to go once you have all your documents in order. Click here to see the directory.
Documents Needed
- Valid official identification- Residency Cards are ok
- CURP
- Birth certificate
- Proof of address – electricity bill or similar (not older than six months)
- One recent color or black and white small photograph (tamano infantil)
- two phone numbers
Foreigners and/or people with indefinite migratory status can also apply for the INAPAM credential, presenting the following:
- Temporary or Permanent Residency Card- depending on the municipality, you may have to be a permanent resident to qualify.
- Valid passport
If you’re interested in hiring a facilitator to help you get your INAPAM card, you can access our list of recommended facilitators in Mexico through our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide
How To Claim Your INAPAM Discount:
In many cases, you might get the senior discount at various retailers without showing your INAPAM card because, often enough, people assume certain ages when they give you a bill. In some cases, all you have to do is ask.
Depending on what store you are in or what you are trying to purchase, a clerk might just give you the discount if you look at the part, and they have a discount.
The official list of benefits for the INAPAM card can be found here
However, for other retailers, you’ll need to ask for a discount for the purchase. In the case of Aeromexico, you have to make your flight reservation in person at one of their service centers for them to verify your eligibility.
If you’re taking the ADO bus, you can make the reservation online with your INAPAM discount. However, before you board, someone might want to verify your INAPAM card and name.
In most cases, you’ll have to purchase directly with a retailer in person to receive the discount. Most companies don’t have the sophistication to add this type of discount when purchasing tickets or services online.
Sometimes, you might not be able to find any information about a discount online and should ask when you are making a transaction.
For example, when you fly with Aeromexico, you get a substantial 15% off. However, to receive the discount, you’ll have to book with an agent over the phone or at one of their service counters throughout Mexico.
I’d even suggest asking your doctor or specialist if they accept your INAPAM card in exchange for a discount. Most doctors in Mexico don’t have this information online but are happy to provide a discount to INAPAM cardholders.
Interested in Retiring in Mexico? Check out our 9 Reasons Mexico is Popular with Retirees.
Hi Harry
You have to go to a DIF office and bring your curp, your residency card, two small pictures and copies of your utility bills (not older than 3 months)
Hi Mariana: I know live in SMA with my lovely wife. We and another Canadian couple from Vancouver both tried to get our Inapam cards but were told that we would need our birth certificates. We did not bring them along. Also the office to go to is not DIF but City Hall (Principal).
The actual requirements do vary by city. Some of them ask you for a birth certificate to verify your age and other offices do not.
Thanks for the update.
In the online guide I have an updated list of the INAPAM offices you need to go to by city in each state 🙂
Is there a particular time to apply for the INAPAM card, or us it all year round?
You can apply year round
I’m a 61 year old temporary resident in PDC and have all the required documents. I was refused the card and told it was now only for citizens.
Hi Jean
Darn, that’s too bad! unfortunately it seems more and more INAPAM offices across Mexico are only issuing these cards for citizens
There are a few exceptions-
San Miguel de allende
Guadalajara
Queretaro
I would like to confirm that you can get an Inapam as a temporary resident in:
Ensenada
Huatulco
Merida
Aguascalientes
And permanent residents can get INAPAM in:
San Miguel de Allende
Chapala
Leon
Queretaro
Guanajuato
Cabo
and probably other towns I haven’t been able to confirm
This is great information Mariana. Do you have any updates to this list for September 2023.
I am in CDMX, are you aware of their policy towards Temporary Residents?
I have been a permant resident since 2014. When I went to apply today in Playa del Carmen, I was told that they only are offering cards to those who have been naturalized.
I updated the article to show the list of cities that are still issuing INAPAM cards to non citizens 🙂
I have been living in SMA for 4 years. I lost my residency card in Feb this year traveling. When I came back to Mexico in Late Feb
the agent stamped me as a tourist. I had to wait 180 days before I could replace my card with help from a lawyer. It was expensive and I am a temporal on my card.
After 4 years being here.
I went to City Hall and was denied
An Inapam due to temporal.
The agent said that that rule might
Change in my favor in Nov or December. Do you know if that’s true?
One disappointed resident.
That’s too bad they did that to you. You should NEVER let an agent register you as a tourist when you are a resident. It’s important to pay attention when you are coming to Mexico and passing through immigration to make sure they don’t make a mistake that can cost you a lot of money. Unfortunately, this happens a lot. Lesson learned.
There is word on the street that they may change the rules for INAPAM once the new president is announced, but who knows if that is true.
My wife recently received her INAPAM card From the office in Manzanillo. She is a U.S. citizen. She had to provide a birth certificate. Presented her documents Monday and the card was ready Tuesday. Easy-peasy! Very friendly Staff!