PLEASE NOTE: The information about Costa Rica residency on this page is for educational purposes only. Flamingo Beach Realty does not perform legal services nor advice in legal matters. The process and requirements for Costa Rica residency can be reviewed or changed by the government at any time, and you should consult a Costa Rican attorney for the most accurate and current information about Costa Rica Residency Status.
Most foreigners engage an attorney who specializes in immigration to help them through the process, which can involve a significant amount of paperwork. What follows is general information about the different categories of Residency in Costa Rica. If you would like to have some names of immigration attorneys that we work with on a regular basis, please contact us and we will be happy to put you in contact with them.
Pensionado (Pension or Disabled)
- Requires proof of $1,000 USD per month income from a permanent pension source or retirement fund.
- Must remain in the country at least 1 day per year.
- Can claim spouse and dependents under 25 years of age.
- Cannot work as an employee for an external company.
- Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.
Rentista (Fixed Income)
- Requires proof of $2,500 USD per month income for at least two years, guaranteed by a banking institution.
- Alternatively, $60,000 USD deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. One amount covers an entire family.
- Must remain in the country at least 1 day per year.
- Can claim spouse and dependents under 25 years of age.
- Cannot work as an employee for an external company.
- Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.
Digital Nomad (Remote Workers)
- Requires proof of $3,000 USD per month income for at least two years, guaranteed by a banking institution.
- If applying with a family, $4,000 USD per month is required.
- Proof of medical insurance is required.
- Must remain in the country at least 1 day per year.
- Can claim spouse and dependents under 25 years of age.
- Includes exoneration of income taxes, import fees on work equipment (computers, etc.)
- Allows the resident to drive with a foreign license for the duration of their residency.
Investor
- Investment of $150,000 USD in shares of a business and real estate (properties, cars, boats).
- Must remain in the country at least 1 day per year.
- Can claim spouse and dependents under 25 years of age.
- Income allowed from the project and any other income in Costa Rica.
- Cannot work as an employee for an external company.
- Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.
Representante (Executive) Program
- Applicant must be the director of a company meeting certain requirements.
- Must remain in the country at least 1 day per year.
- Cannot claim spouse and dependents under 25 years of age.
- Can earn an income from the company.
- Can own a company and receive income.
Permanent Residency
- First degree relative status with a Costa Rican Citizen (by having a Costa Rican child) and refugees.
- Must visit Costa Rica at least once per year.
- Cannot claim spouse and dependents under 25 years of age.
- Can work as an employee for an external company.
- Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.
Once you’ve applied for your Costa Rica residency, it becomes your obligation to register with the Social Security Administration or CCSS. Along with your registration, you will begin to pay premiums to the country’s single-payer healthcare system, Caja.
Depending on the type of residency, you will need to renew on a regular basis. Again, for such matters, we recommend an experienced Costa Rican attorney to guide you through the process.
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