Moving to Costa Rica in 2026

Moving to Costa Rica: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Citizens of many countries need no visa for Costa Rica, and the exact term of stay is set by the border officer. Long-term living requires residence from the Directorate General of Migration: the digital nomad visa with income from $3,000 a month, rentier status with $2,500 a month, retiree status with a lifetime pension from $1,000, or investor status from $150,000.

1. Before the trip. Criminal record certificates with apostilles and Spanish translations, proof of income, and for nomads an online application.
2. Days 1-30. Filing for residence at the migration directorate, fingerprints for the background check, a lease and a local SIM card.
3. Days 30-90. Waiting for the decision: 4-8 months for investors, during which you can stay with the filing receipt. Residents other than nomads join the public social security system.

The $3,000 benchmark is a comfortable standard for one person in the capital region; small towns and quieter coastal areas are noticeably cheaper, while Escazú and Santa Ana, home to many foreigners, have higher rents. A family budget depends on its size and category; we calculate it in the chat.

Costa Rica at a glance

Costa Rica is a small Central American country between Nicaragua and Panama, facing both the Pacific and the Caribbean, with about 5 million residents. The capital is San José and the language is Spanish. The currency is the colón, about 458 colones per dollar on 6 October 2026, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. The country has had no army since 1948, and its democracy is among the most stable in Latin America.

The economy rests on medical device manufacturing, services, eco-tourism, coffee, bananas and pineapples. About a quarter of the territory is reserves and national parks, and the country is known for jungles, volcanoes and surf beaches.

Who the move suits

• remote workers earning from $3,000 a month, whose foreign income is not taxed;
• retirees with a pension from $1,000 a month;
• rentiers with income from $2,500 a month;
• investors putting $150,000 into property or a business;
• families who value nature, a mild climate and a calm life.

Entry rules and visas

Citizens of many countries need no visa, and the exact period of stay is set by the border officer. For long-term living you apply for residence at the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners. There are direct flights from Europe to San José and the Guanacaste coast.

Rules for specific nationalities

The visa-free period in Costa Rica depends on the passport.

• Russia. Under an agreement in force since 2019 Russian citizens need no visa and stay up to 90 days, with the exact period set by the border officer.

Residence options

• The digital nomad visa - income from $3,000 a month for one person or $4,000 for a family, for a year with one more year of renewal, foreign income untaxed, and work equipment imported duty-free.
• Rentier - income of $2,500 a month for at least 2 years, confirmed by a bank.
• Pensioner - a lifetime pension from $1,000 a month.
• Investor - from $150,000 in property, shares or a business, with processing in 4-8 months.

After 3 years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence. Citizenship comes after 7 years of official residence with exams in Spanish and civics, and children born in the country acquire citizenship by birth. We choose the category and handle the application.

Taxes

Costa Rica taxes only income earned in the country. Salary up to 918,000 colones a month, about $2,010, is untaxed, with rates of 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% above. Employees pay 10.83% in social contributions. Corporate tax is 30%, VAT is 13% and capital gains are taxed at 15%. Nomad visa holders are fully exempt from tax on foreign income. More in taxes in Costa Rica.

Cost of living

In Escazú and Santa Ana, where many foreigners live, rent is higher than in the city centre. Imported goods cost noticeably more than in the US, while fruit and vegetables at markets are inexpensive. Car import duties are high, but a car is almost essential outside the capital.

Where to live

• Escazú and Santa Ana - suburbs of the capital with gated communities, international schools and malls.
• Heredia - a university town, cheaper and quieter.
• Guanacaste - the Pacific beaches of Tamarindo and Nosara, a dry climate and surfing.
• The Caribbean coast - Puerto Viejo, jungle and a relaxed pace.

Property for foreigners

Foreigners buy property with the same rights as citizens, and ownership is registered in the National Registry. Special rules apply to the coastal strip: the first 50 metres from the high-tide line are public, the next 150 metres are granted only as concessions, with restrictions for foreigners. A purchase carries a 1.5% transfer tax on the registered value plus registration fees. We find the property and check it in the registry.

Climate and banks

The Central Valley has eternal spring: 22-27°C by day, a dry season from December to April and rain from May to November, while the coasts are hotter. A local bank account is opened with a residence document, and workers pay into the state social security fund, which gives access to healthcare. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.