Personal accounts: Costa Rica

Updated 5 October 2026

An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.

A personal account at a Costa Rican bank is needed by people moving to the country, buying property or earning income there. Banks are supervised by the General Superintendency of Financial Institutions. Accounts are opened in colones and US dollars: dollars are widely used for rent, property deals and savings. For a foreigner the key document is the resident identity card, issued after residence; a non-resident with a passport can open an account only at some banks and with restrictions.

What a personal account needs

• a resident identity card, or a passport for a non-resident at some banks;
• proof of address in Costa Rica;
• proof of income and source of funds;
• a reference letter from your bank, often required of non-residents.

Residence and the account

Law 9996 grants residence to investors with $150,000 or more, and to rentistas and pensioners with proven income. For these statuses a Costa Rican account is part of the process: investment money arrives through it and income is evidenced. See property in Costa Rica.

How the account is opened

1. Status. We check residence or choose a bank for a non-resident.
2. Documents. We prepare address, proof of income and references.
3. Visit. We support the branch visit.
4. Accounts. We open colón and dollar accounts, a card and online banking.

Documents in practice

Costa Rican banks check the origin of money in detail, especially large incoming transfers. Besides the identity card and address, prepare recent statements, documents on income or asset sales and, for rentistas and pensioners, proof of regular income. Foreign-language documents are translated into Spanish and foreign certificates legalised.

Timing

With a complete file the account is opened in one or a few bank visits. If you do not yet have a resident card, an account at a bank that works with non-residents can be opened earlier and moved to standard terms once status is granted.

Moving money to Costa Rica

The bank credits large incoming transfers after checking their origin, so the asset sale agreement, statements or income documents are best given to the bank in advance. For an investment under Law 9996 money is transferred through the country's banking system so the investment is documented when applying for residence.

Why applications are refused

• no resident card, and the bank does not work with non-residents;
• the origin of money is unproven;
• links to sanctioned countries;
• operations that do not match the account's purpose.

Colones or dollars

A colón account suits daily spending, while a US dollar account suits rent, savings and property deals, which are often priced in dollars here. Many people hold both at one bank and move money between them at the bank's rate.

What we do

We help with residence, choose a bank, prepare documents and handle the account opening. A manager will calculate the cost in the chat.

What we do

• Personal account - opening assistance

See also

Company formation · Business account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs

FAQ