Complete Expat Guide Costa Rica 2026 : Live & Retire in Costa Rica

Costa Rica : Pura Vida : is a long-standing favourite of North American and European expats. Stable democracy, no standing army, excellent healthcare, lush biodiversity and a well-developed expat infrastructure make it one of the easiest countries in Latin America to settle in.

Updated: 20 May 2026 : Editorial Team, eVisa-Card.com

ℹ️ Important 2026 update : Costa Rica: tighter exemption rules, perpetual-tourism bill in discussion

A DGME resolution effective 1 July 2024 clarified visa-exemption rules for travellers holding Schengen C/D or US/Canada multi-entry visas (multi-entry is now required; stay limited to residual validity). A draft 'perpetual tourism' bill is in discussion: overstay fine would rise from USD 100 to USD 300/month, with a 90-day cooling-off period after using the 180-day allowance. Not yet voted as of May 2026.

Effective: Resolution in force since 1 July 2024; perpetual-tourism bill pending

Source: Costa Rica DGME

Costa Rica at a Glance

Capital	San José
Currency	Costa Rican Colón (CRC) / USD
Language	Spanish
Monthly cost	~$1,500-2,800/month

🛂 Visa & Residency Options

Visa Type	Details
Pensionado (Retiree Visa)	Requires a guaranteed lifetime pension of $1,000/month from a government or private source. Permanent residency. Must spend 183 days/year in Costa Rica to maintain status. Popular with US and Canadian retirees.
Rentista (Passive Income Visa)	For those with passive income (not pension): $2,500/month OR one-time bank deposit of $60,000. 2-year permit, renewable. Must reside 183 days/year.
Inversionista (Investor Visa)	Investment of $150,000+ in Costa Rican property, business or government bonds. Permanent residency. No minimum stay requirement.
Digital Nomad Visa	For remote workers. Income $3,000/month (individual) or $4,000/month (family). 1-year permit, renewable once. No local work allowed.
Temporary Resident (Work)	Sponsored by a Costa Rican employer. For skilled professionals. 2-year permit.

Step-by-Step Process

Hire a Costa Rican immigration lawyer (budget $1,500-3,000)
Gather documents: passport, pension/income proof, police clearance, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable
Apostille and notarise all foreign documents; translate to Spanish
Submit to DGME (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería)
Receive initial conditional residency within 3-12 months
Enrol in the CAJA (public health system) : mandatory for all residents
Obtain your DIMEX card (Documento de Identidad Migratoria para Extranjeros)
After 3 years of temporary residency, apply for permanent residency

💡 Pro Tip: The Pensionado visa requires $1,000/month : even a modest US Social Security benefit often qualifies. The mandatory CAJA enrolment (~$50-150/month) gives access to Costa Rica's excellent public health system.

🏥 Healthcare in Costa Rica

Public Healthcare

Costa Rica's CAJA (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) is widely regarded as one of the best public healthcare systems in Latin America. All legal residents must enrol and pay monthly contributions (~$50-150/month based on income). Covers doctor visits, hospitalisation, surgery, maternity and prescription medicines.

Private Healthcare

Private clinics and hospitals operate alongside the public system. CIMA Hospital (San José), Clínica Bíblica, Clínica Católica and Hospital Clínica Bíblica offer English-speaking doctors and US-comparable standards at 40-60% lower costs.

Typical Costs

Service	Cost
CAJA monthly contribution (resident)	~$50-150/month (income-based)
CAJA consultation (covered)	Free or nominal co-pay
Private GP consultation	$60-100
Private specialist	$80-200
Private hospitalisation (per night)	$400-1,200
Dental cleaning (private)	$60-100

ℹ️ Recommended: Enrol in CAJA immediately : it's mandatory and provides comprehensive coverage for a modest monthly fee. Add a private supplementary plan for faster access to specialists and English-speaking doctors.

🛡️ Supplementary Health Insurance

While the CAJA public system is comprehensive, wait times for non-emergency specialist care and some procedures can be long. Supplementary private insurance provides immediate access to private hospitals and is also useful for the period before CAJA enrolment is active.

Top Providers for Expats

INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros)
State insurer. Mandatory for car insurance; also offers health plans. From ~$80/month.

Aseguradora del Istmo (ADISA)
Private supplementary plans. Strong hospital network. From ~$100/month.

Cigna Global
International plan for new arrivals and frequent travellers. From ~$120/month.

AXA Global Healthcare
Comprehensive worldwide coverage. Good for those splitting time between CR and home country. From ~$130/month.

BUPA International
Premium plan with repatriation coverage. Good for US citizens. From ~$150/month.

💡 Pro Tip: Combine mandatory CAJA (~$100/month) with a private supplementary plan ($100-150/month) for the best of both worlds : comprehensive public coverage plus fast-track private access for specialist care.

🏦 Opening a Bank Account in Costa Rica

A Costa Rican bank account is needed to pay rent, utilities and CAJA contributions, and to receive local salary or pension transfers. The process has become more regulated but remains manageable.

Recommended Banks

Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) : State bank. Most expat-friendly, good English service in Escazú/San José. Accepts tourist visas for basic accounts.

Banco Nacional de Costa Rica : Largest state bank. Lowest fees. Extensive branch network throughout the country.

BAC San José (BAC Credomatic) : Best digital banking. Popular with younger expats and digital nomads. Requires DIMEX card.

Scotiabank Costa Rica : Canadian bank, familiar to North American expats. International wire capabilities.

Prival Bank : Good for higher-net-worth expats and investors. English-speaking staff.

Required Documents

Valid passport
DIMEX card (for residents) : OR tourist entry for basic account at state banks
Proof of address (rental contract or utility bill)
Proof of income (pension letter, employment contract, bank statements)
Costa Rican phone number

Step-by-Step Process

Visit bank branch in person
For state banks: some accept tourist status for a basic account
Present all documents and complete KYC form
Account typically opened within 1-5 business days
Receive debit card and online banking access

💡 Pro Tip: Banco de Costa Rica in Escazú and Los Yoses (San José) have dedicated expat advisors with strong English skills. State banks (BCR, Banco Nacional) are the most accessible for new arrivals without a DIMEX card.

🏠 Buying Property in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has no restrictions on foreign property ownership : foreigners have the same rights as citizens. The property market is well-established, with a large inventory of expat-friendly properties particularly in the Central Valley, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio and the Southern Zone.

Options for Foreigners

Titled (Freehold) Property
Full ownership registered at the National Registry. Standard for most urban and suburban properties. Most secure form of ownership.

Concession Land (Maritime Zone)
Land within 200m of the ocean. The first 50m from the high tide line is public and inalienable. The next 150m requires a concession from the municipality. Foreigners can hold concessions but must have 5 years legal residency or go through a Costa Rican company.

Rights of Way / Possession Rights
Untitled land. Very risky for foreigners : avoid unless you have expert legal advice.

Purchase Process

Hire a Costa Rican real estate lawyer (not optional)
Obtain an RNPN (National Property Registry) title search
Check for liens, easements, back taxes, survey maps
Sign a Purchase Option contract (Opción de Compra) : pay $5,000-20,000 deposit
Complete due diligence: survey, environmental restrictions, zoning
Sign Escritura de Compraventa (Purchase Deed) before a Notary Public
Register at the National Registry (Registro Nacional)
Pay transfer taxes and notary fees at closing

Typical Costs

Item	Cost
Property transfer tax	1.5% of registered value
Notary fees	1.25-1.5% of sale price
National Registry recording fee	~0.5%
Lawyer fees	1-2% of purchase price
Annual property tax (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles)	0.25% of appraised value
Annual municipality luxury tax (if applicable)	0.25-0.55% on values over ¢133M (~$245,000)

💡 Pro Tip: Always verify the title at the National Registry (Registro Nacional) yourself or via your lawyer before signing anything. Maritime zone properties near the beach require special legal expertise : do not purchase without understanding the concession terms.

About This Guide

This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. Last updated: 20 May 2026. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.