Legal Residency Costa Rica

Your New Life in Costa Rica Starts Here

We handle every step of your residency application — from gathering documents to your permanent cedula. Over 20 years of experience helping families like yours make the move.

Find Your Residency Path → Compare Statuses

20+

Years of Experience

3

Residency Paths

$150K

Min. Investor Threshold

36 mo

To Permanent Residency

Residency Finder
Which Residency Status Is Right for You?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the best path to your Costa Rica residency.

Do you receive a regular pension or retirement income?

This includes Social Security, government pension, military pension, or private pension plans.

Yes, I receive $1,000+/month
I have a guaranteed pension of at least $1,000 USD per month
No pension income
I don't receive regular pension or retirement income
I want to invest $150,000+ in Costa Rica
Real estate, government bonds, C.D.'s, or vehicle purchases

Do you have significant savings or investment capital?

Different residency paths require different financial thresholds.

$150,000+ available to invest in Costa Rica
Real estate, business, or other qualifying investments
$60,000 available for bank deposit
Can deposit $60K and show $2,500/month availability for 24 months
Less than $60,000
I have savings but below these thresholds

What is your nationality?

Document requirements vary by country of origin.

United States
US citizen or permanent resident
Canada
Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Other Country
We provide customized guidance for all nationalities

Your Recommended Status

Based on your answers, here's your best path.
Compare Options
Three Paths to Residency
Each status has unique requirements. All lead to permanent residency after 3 years of temporary status.
Retiree

Pensionado

$1,000/mo
  • Guaranteed pension income (Social Security, private, etc.)
  • Applicant, spouse and children under age 18 included
  • 1 day minimum during first 2-year period required
  • Can apply for permanent status after having temporary status for 3 years
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Most Flexible

Rentista

$60,000 deposit
  • Proof of deposit in local bank meets Government financial requirement
  • Letter from bank stating maximum allowable amount removable is $2,500/month
  • Applicant, spouse and children under age 18 included
  • Can apply for permanent status after having temporary status for 3 years
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Investor

Inversionista

$150,000 invest
  • US$150,000 required
  • Typically in real estate, government bonds, C.D.'s
  • The purchase of vehicles are also considered as investment
  • Applicant, spouse and children under 18 included
  • Can apply for permanent status after having temporary status for 3 years
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The Process
Your 9-Step Journey to Residency
From your first inquiry to permanent residency — we guide you every step of the way.
1
Step 1

Contact Us with Your Questions

Reach out to our team with any questions you have about residency in Costa Rica. We're here to guide you from the very start.

2
Step 2

Gather the Required Documents

We provide you with the best methods to obtain the documents needed for your application.

3
Step 3

Apostille Your Documents

Certain documents must be Apostilled. We provide you with options to use for this important certification step.

4
Step 4

Meet Us on Your Next Trip to Costa Rica

Come meet our team in person during your next visit to Costa Rica.

5
Step 5

Review & Pre-Clear Your Documentation

When you come on board we review and pre-clear your documentation to ensure everything is in order.

6
Step 6

Gather Local Documents

We assist you with the gathering of local documents required for your application.

7
Step 7

Translations & Application Submission

With all documents in hand, we arrange for translations and we submit your application to Immigration.

8
Step 8

Follow Up & Complete Paperwork

Follow up on your application and upon approval complete the paperwork.

9
Step 9

Get Your Cedula!

We take you to the Immigration office for the creation of your cedula.

Incentive for New Residents
Costa Rica Incentive Law #9996
Those applicants who apply for any one of the three legal statuses and their application is submitted before July 14th, 2026, upon approval can enjoy the benefits as outlined below.

Duty-Free Vehicles

2 duty-free vehicles whether they be car, boat, or airplane, as long as the total number of vehicles does not exceed 2.

Duty-Free Household Goods

Duty-free status on household goods for qualifying new residents.

National Health System

Access to CAJA (CCSS) — Costa Rica's world-renowned national health system. Premiums based on declared monthly income.

Lower Cost of Living

Generally 25-40% lower cost of living than the US or Canada for a comparable lifestyle. Your retirement funds go further.

Path to a Costa Rican Passport

Legal residency opens the door to Costa Rican citizenship and a passport, if desired. After maintaining permanent residency, you may apply for naturalization — giving you the freedom of a second passport.

Get Started Today

Your Path to Residency — and Even a Costa Rican Passport

All three residency statuses lead to permanent residency after 3 years. From there, you can apply for Costa Rican citizenship and a passport — giving you the freedom and security of dual nationality.

  • Free personalized residency assessment
  • 20+ years of immigration experience
  • Pathway to Costa Rican passport if desired
  • Law 9996 benefits — apply before July 2026

Request Your Free Consultation

Fill out the form below and our team will reach out within 24 hours.

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We've received your information. Our team will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your residency options and answer any questions.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know
Answers to the most common questions from prospective residents.
You cannot take a job away from a natural born Costa Rican. You can live here and operate your businesses in your home country.
One must be present here in Costa Rica a minimum of 1 day during the first 2-year period of time.
Costa Rica has a dual healthcare system. The CAJA (CCSS) is the national public health system — enrollment is compulsory for residents. Premiums are based on declared income. Additionally, INS provides supplemental insurance, and private medical care is available at significantly lower costs than in the US. Costa Rica is consistently ranked among the top healthcare systems in Latin America.
Children under the age of 18, or under the age of 25 if full-time students. Those children who are handicapped, and in many cases seniors who are family members and dependent on applicants for support.
A "perpetual tourist" is someone who enters Costa Rica on a tourist visa and leaves every 90 days to renew it. This is not a legal status — it carries risks including denial of re-entry, inability to open bank accounts, no access to the national health system, and no legal protections. Obtaining proper residency eliminates these risks entirely.
You need one initial visit for fingerprinting and bank account setup. After that, our team handles everything via a Limited Power of Attorney. We represent you before Immigration, handle all communication in Spanish, and keep you informed throughout the process.
You can use your home country driver's license for the first 90 days. After obtaining residency, you'll need to get a Costa Rican driver's license. We can assist with this process.
The Digital Nomad Visa is a separate visa category for remote workers employed by companies outside Costa Rica. It's valid for 1 year and renewable once. This is different from the three residency statuses (Pensionado, Rentista, Investor) and does not lead to permanent residency.
Costa Rica does not tax individuals on their foreign earned income.

Ready to Start Your New Chapter?

Contact Kevin McNamee and our team today. Over 20 years of experience making Costa Rica dreams a reality.

WhatsApp: 506-8385-5008 Find Your Residency Path
Legal Residency Costa Rica
A division of Royal Palms Group of San Mateo, SRL
Villa Alicia, San Rafael, Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Mailing: P.O. Box 025331, SJO 250, Miami FL 33102-5331