Costa Rica

"Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz" ("Work and peace forever")

overview

Welcome to Costa Rica

Costa Rica, famous for its biodiversity and eco-friendly initiatives, is a haven for nature lovers. With a stable democracy and a strong economy based on tourism and agriculture, it attracts expats seeking sustainability and quality of life.

overview

Costa Rica Essentials

National Anthem

Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera

Independence Day

September 15, 1821

Haiko

Pura vida life / Rainforests teem with wildlife / Volcanoes slumber

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Fiesta de los Diablitos a festival reenacting the fight between indigenous people and Spanish conquistadors

Weirdest Local Superstition

Putting a broom behind the door to make guests leave

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to name a business in a foreign language

overview

Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the pura vida, stay for the progress: Costa Rica's commitment to sustainable living has created an extraordinary blend of environmental consciousness and modern development. Life flows between morning surf sessions and afternoon work meetings, while evenings are spent in hilltop cafes overlooking the Pacific. The nation's political stability and growing tech presence, combined with friendly residency policies, make it an ideal destination for those seeking to balance professional ambitions with environmental mindfulness.

overview

Vamos

Embrace a country where 'pura vida' isn't just a greeting, but the essence of daily life. Your journey flows between oceans of opportunity.

overview

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica

Famous for its biodiversity Costa Rica is where you can find more species of butterflies than anywhere else

Costa Rica isn't just a country—it's a celebration of life's simple pleasures. Here, time moves at the pace of 'pura vida,' and even a simple nature walk can turn into an encounter with extraordinary wildlife. This is a land where happiness and sustainability dance together.

From the cloud forests of Monteverde to the surf breaks of Guanacaste, Costa Rica offers paradise for every nature lover. Whether you're drawn to the volcanic wonders of Arenal, the biodiversity of Corcovado, or the beach life of Manuel Antonio, you'll find a country that has perfected the balance between development and natural preservation.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

gallo pinto (rice and beans) - chifrijo (rice beans and pork)

Drink

agua dulce (sugar cane drink) - guaro (sugar cane liquor)

overview

Algo de tomar?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

38

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

4

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

4.22

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.20

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Pura Vida' attitude affects all interactions
#2
Environmental consciousness is expected
#3
Coffee farm heritage is respected
#4
Indigenous crafts have deep meaning
#5
Soccer enthusiasm unites communities

overview

Costa Rica Essentials

Representative Novel

The Presidents by Daniel Gallegos (Play capturing Costa Rican political history)

National Animal

The sloth

National Pasttime

Football (Soccer)

National Souvenir

Coffee beans

National Dish

Gallo pinto

Famous Festival

Envision Festival

Famous Dance

Swing Criollo

Famous Music

Calypso

overview

Did You Know?

Costa Rica has no standing army.

Since 1949, Costa Rica abolished its military and allocated those funds to education, healthcare, and environmental protection.

Costa Rica is a leader in renewable energy.

Over 99% of the country's electricity comes from renewable sources like hydro, geothermal, and wind energy.

Costa Rica is home to 5% of the world's biodiversity.

Despite its small size, Costa Rica hosts a vast array of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

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Costa Rica’s Key Historical Events

1,821

April 2014

Costa Rica declares independence from Spain and joins the Mexican Empire.

1838

July 2014

Costa Rica becomes a fully independent country.

1948

February 2015

More than 2,000 people are killed in a 44-day civil war after former president Calderon refuses to accept an election loss.

1987

March 2015

President Oscar Arias Sanchez wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua.

2015

October 2016

Costa Rica wins a long-standing territorial dispute with Nicaragua over sovereignty of Isla Portillo.

MOBILITY

Access Costa Rica Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Yes
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
2 years
DUAL Citizenship
Yes
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
7
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

129

Performance Class

Global Contender

Passport Grade

B

Rank

62

Score

138.0

This visa grants access to:

• 33% of the world's population 

• 72% of UNESCO sites 

• 42% of global GDP 

• 43% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Costa Rica by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Costa Rica
1,187
1,068
835
1,221
1,606
1,616
1,519

MOBILITY

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Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
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Rankings

Costa Rica's Global Rankings 

Costa Rica shines with exceptional climate quality (#7) and very high happiness (#12). Our analysis highlights its attractive combination of moderate living costs (#33) and strong healthcare access (#30).

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
33
Cost of Living
2024
Moderate
50
Quality of Life
2024
Comfortable
58
Safety
2024
Medium
12
Happiness
2024
Very High
90
Tax Burden
2024
Light Load
38
English Proficiency
2023
Moderate Proficiency
29
Rule of Law
2024
Strong
30
Healthcare System
2024
Well-Accessible
7
Pleasant Climate
2024
Very Pleasant

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

34.1

years

Life Expectancy

80.2

years

Obesity Rate

28.60%

Tobacco Use

14.30%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

7.57%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.14

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.718

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

20.74%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Universal Healthcare System

Costa Rica offers a universal healthcare system known as 'Caja,' providing low-cost healthcare to citizens, residents, and expatriates.

Private Healthcare Options

In addition to its public system, Costa Rica has an advanced private healthcare sector with hospitals offering world-class medical services.

Medical Tourism Leader

Costa Rica is a global leader in medical tourism, attracting thousands of international patients each year for affordable and high-quality care.

Preventive Care Focus

Costa Rica places a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare, ensuring regular check-ups and vaccinations are available to all residents.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in Costa Rica are eligible for both the public Caja system and private healthcare, ensuring comprehensive coverage options.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

Costa Rica presents a moderate cost of living, attractive to retirees and digital nomads. San José and popular tourist areas are more expensive than other regions. Housing costs can be high in expat-favorite locations. Food is generally affordable, especially local produce. Utilities can be expensive, particularly electricity. Public transportation is inexpensive but can be unreliable in some areas. Education costs are moderate.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.48

per liter

Cost of Meal

$9.61

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$717.56

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$83.69

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$2.88

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

13%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before considering a move to Costa Rica, it's important to understand its territorial tax system which only taxes income sourced within the country.+Income tax rates for employed individuals range from 10% to 25%, depending on earnings. Social security contributions are mandatory and property taxes also apply in Costa Rica. Individuals use Cédula de identidad or DIMEX as their identification numbers depending on their residency status.+Costa Rica does not have a double taxation treaty with the United States.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

No (Territorial system)

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

No

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

0%-25%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%-15%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

30%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

15%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

15%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

5.5%-15%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

25%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if they stay in Costa Rica for more than 183 days, continuously or discontinuously, during the fiscal period.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

66

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

78

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

58.3
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

151
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

10

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

87.2
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November)

Average Temperature

24.83 °C

Humidity

80

%

Average Annual Precipitation

2,926

mm

Rainless Days per Year

244

Best Time to Travel

December-April

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Costa Rica

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Costa Rica.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Costa Rica?

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Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for residency or citizenship in Costa Rica?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Costa Rica with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Costa Rica?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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