Residency in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Caribbean country located between Panama and Guatemala and a member of CARICOM. It has just over 51,000 square kilometers of territory and nearly 5 million inhabitants. Its capital and political, cultural, social, and economic center is San José, and its official currency is the Costa Rican colon (CRC), although the US dollar is widely accepted.

Costa Rica is often called the "Switzerland of Central America" ​​for its pleasant lifestyle, lack of a military, stable democracy, and impressive natural beauty. It is considered the happiest, most environmentally friendly, greenest, and most sustainable country on the planet. Costa Rica is one of the most progressive, developed, and stable countries in the Americas, with a focus on the environment, freedom of the press, security, equality, democracy, health, and education.

Its main economic sectors are tourism, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. It is the most visited country in Central America, with approximately 25% of the region's tourism market share. Americans account for approximately 40% of all tourists. Costa Rica has traditionally been an attractive jurisdiction for establishing a company conducting international trade, thanks to its territorial tax system and free trade zones.

If you're looking to set up a company, open a bank account, invest, immigrate, and/or obtain residency permits and even citizenship in Costa Rica, contact us directly for a free, private consultation.

How to obtain residency in Costa Rica

Obtaining residency in Costa Rica allows you to take advantage of numerous tax exemptions similar to those in Panama and Paraguay. The procedures for obtaining residency are almost the same as in other countries, but they are more difficult to comply with, and the process is considerably more expensive and takes longer.

Retired

• Requires proof of $1,000 monthly income from a permanent pension or retirement fund.
• You should visit Costa Rica at least once a year.
• Your spouse and dependents under the age of 18 can apply.
• He cannot work as an employee.
• He can own a company and receive dividends.

Rentista Residence in Costa Rica

• Requires proof of a monthly income of $2,500 for at least two years, guaranteed by a bank, OR a deposit of $60,000 in an approved Costa Rican bank. One amount covers the family.
• You should visit Costa Rica at least once a year.
• Your spouse and dependents under the age of 18 can apply.
• He cannot work as an employee.
• He can own a company and receive dividends.

Investor

• Investment of US$200,000 in a business or property.
• You should visit Costa Rica at least once a year.
• Your spouse and dependents under the age of 18 can apply.
• Income allowed by the project.
• He can own a company and receive dividends.

Representative Residency Program – Costa Rica

• The candidate must be a director of a company that meets certain requirements, such as employing a minimum number of local workers as required by labor law, and having financial statements certified by an accountant.
• You should visit Costa Rica at least once a year.
• Your spouse and dependents under the age of 18 can apply.
• You can earn income from the company.
• Can own a company and receive income.

Permanent Residency Costa Rica

• First degree relative status with a Costa Rican citizen (by marriage to a citizen or by having a Costa Rican child) OR can request after three years in another state.
• You should visit Costa Rica at least once a year.
• Your spouse and dependents under the age of 18 can apply.
• It can work.
• Can own a company and receive income.

The first three documents are required for all types of residency in Costa Rica (valid for six months from the date of issue).

1. Criminal Record and Pending Charges Certificate from your last place of residence. Valid for 6 months. Required for the applicant, spouse, and any children between the ages of 15 and 25.
2. Cumulative certificate of birth, family status, citizenship, and residency. Required for the applicant, spouse, and all dependent children (up to 18 years of age or 25 if a university student – ​​proof of enrollment is required).
3. Marriage certificate (if the spouse wishes to obtain residency). And any document certifying the divorce.
4. Income certificate for Pensionado and Rentista residence (required only for the applicant, valid for six months).

1. Income must be demonstrated to continue at each renewal.
   • Retired: US$12,000 per year
   • Rentista: US $30,000 per year
2. Visit Costa Rica once a year for at least three days.
3. Renew your identity card every two years. The Costa Rican government charges a fee of over $100 for each renewed identity card.
4. You and your dependents cannot earn a salary or supplant a Costa Rican in an employment situation.
5. You can own and operate a business and pay yourself and/or make investments.
6. proof of 1 and 2 above to the Costa Rican government annually

To begin your residency transfer process, contact us at info@studiopanamaitalia.com, sending us a copy of your passport and the exact dates for starting and taking up residency in the country of your choice. Alternatively, contact us through the contact form on this website or via WhatsApp or Telegram at +1 786-623-8177. If you are interested in residency in a similar country close to Costa Rica, you can choose to take up residency in Panama, familiar with its procedures and requirements.