Residence by investment in Costa RicaOverview
Costa Rica's residence categories for investors, retirees (pensionados) and persons of independent income (rentistas) are governed by the General Law of Migration and Aliens and its regulations. Law 9996, the Law to Attract Investors, Retirees and Rentistas, published on 14 July 2021, lowered the investor threshold to US$150,000 and introduced a package of tax and customs incentives. Qualifying investments include real estate, registered shares, securities, productive projects or projects of national interest, venture capital funds and sustainable tourism infrastructure. Property must be registered in the applicant's own name; assets held through a company are not accepted for this purpose.
Law 9996 allowed eligible applicants to opt into its incentives only during the first five years after the law took effect, a window that reached its anniversary in July 2026. Those who opted in during the window keep their benefits for the period the law allows, including a one-off exemption on household goods, relief on up to two personal vehicles and a 20% reduction in property transfer tax. As of September 2026 the DGME still listed US$150,000 as the investor threshold, and no general extension of the incentive window had been announced. Applicants should confirm the threshold in force on their filing date.
Residence is first granted as temporary residence for two years and renewed for further two-year periods while the qualifying investment or income is maintained. After three years, the holder may apply for permanent residence. Holders must register with and contribute to the Costa Rican social security fund (CCSS), whose contributions are calculated on declared income and are a condition of renewal. Investors and rentistas may not take paid employment in Costa Rica, although investors may manage their own business. Naturalisation is generally available after seven years of residence, or five years for nationals of Spain and Ibero-American countries, subject to Spanish-language and civics examinations.
Costa Rica taxes income on a territorial basis: income from sources outside the country, including foreign pensions and investment income, has generally not been subject to Costa Rican income tax. Local income is taxed progressively, and annual property tax is charged at 0.25% of registered value. Proposals to extend taxation to foreign passive income have been debated in recent years, so a family's tax position should be reviewed before relocation and periodically afterwards.
Key benefits
- Investor threshold of US$150,000 across real estate, securities and productive projects
- Alternative routes for retirees and for those with stable foreign income or a local deposit
- One application covers the spouse and dependent children
- Permanent residence available after three years of temporary residence
- Territorial tax system under which foreign-source income has generally not been taxed
- Access to the national healthcare system through CCSS affiliation
- Stable democracy with no standing army and a long-established expatriate community
Requirements
- Qualifying investment of at least US$150,000, verified by the DGME, or the relevant pension or income evidence
- Real estate registered in the applicant's personal name rather than through a company
- Pensionados: lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month
- Rentistas: stable income of at least US$2,500 a month guaranteed for at least two years, or a US$60,000 deposit with a Costa Rican bank
- Clean criminal record from the country of residence, apostilled and translated
- Apostilled and translated birth and marriage certificates for the applicant and each dependant
- Fingerprinting with the Ministry of Public Security
- Affiliation with and ongoing contributions to the CCSS
- No paid employment in Costa Rica for investors and rentistas
Investment options
Investor
US$150,000
Investment in real estate, registered shares, securities, productive or national-interest projects, venture capital funds or sustainable tourism infrastructure. Qualifying forestry projects may be accepted from US$100,000.
Pensionado (retiree)
US$1,000 per month
Lifetime pension from a public or private source, with no minimum age. Suitable for retirees who do not need to work locally.
Rentista (independent income)
US$2,500 per month or US$60,000 deposit
Stable income guaranteed for at least two years, or an equivalent deposit placed with a Costa Rican bank and drawn down over the residence period.
Digital nomad stay
US$3,000 per month
A one-year renewable stay for remote workers (US$4,000 for families). It does not lead to permanent residence and is suited to those testing the country before investing.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Assessment and route choice
We review the family's assets, income sources and tax position to decide between the investor, pensionado and rentista categories.
- 2
Investment and verification
The investment is made and registered in the applicant's name, with independent title and valuation checks for property.
- 3
Document preparation
Civil documents and police certificates are obtained, apostilled, translated and registered as required.
- 4
Filing with the DGME
The application is filed with the DGME, which typically takes several months to review a complete file.
- 5
Approval formalities
On approval, the applicant registers with the CCSS, pays the required deposits and attends fingerprinting before the DIMEX residence card is issued.
- 6
Renewal and permanence
Status is renewed every two years and, after three years, the holder may apply for permanent residence.
Typical documents
- Valid passports for the applicant and dependants
- Birth and marriage certificates, apostilled and translated
- Criminal record certificates from the country of residence
- Property registry certificate, share register or investment certification
- Pension certificate or evidence of guaranteed income, where applicable
- Bank evidence of the source and transfer of funds
- Proof of consular registration and fingerprinting
- Passport photographs and application forms
- Evidence of CCSS affiliation at the approval stage
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps clients compare Costa Rica's investor, pensionado and rentista routes against their family's income, assets and tax residence plans. We work with independent Costa Rican counsel to verify title and investment eligibility, prepare the documentary file and source-of-funds evidence, and keep track of the renewal and CCSS obligations that maintain status. Where a move forms part of a broader succession or wealth plan, we coordinate the residence application with that structure, discreetly and on a bespoke basis.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Is the investor threshold still US$150,000 after July 2026?
The five-year window to opt into Law 9996's tax incentives passed its anniversary in July 2026. As of September 2026 the DGME still listed US$150,000 as the investor minimum, but the threshold should be confirmed with the DGME for the specific filing date.
Can I buy property through a company?
Not for residence purposes. Property must be registered in the applicant's personal name to count towards the investor threshold.
Who can be included as a dependant?
A spouse, minor children, unmarried children under 25 who are studying and financially dependent, and adult children with a declared disability.
Can I work in Costa Rica?
Investors and rentistas may not take paid employment. Investors may run their own business, and permanent residents have unrestricted work rights.
How long until permanent residence or citizenship?
Permanent residence may be requested after three years of temporary residence. Naturalisation generally requires seven years of residence, or five for nationals of Spain and Ibero-American countries, plus language and civics examinations.
Do I have to pay into the social security system?
Yes. CCSS affiliation and monthly contributions based on declared income are mandatory for residents and are checked at renewal.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
