Residency in Costa Rica
Everything you need to regularize your immigration status as a foreigner. Categories, requirements, and costs for 2025–2026, managed by the DGME through the Trámite Ya digital platform.
6
Main categories
DGME
Competent authority
Law 8764 · 9996 · 10008
Current legal framework
Applies to all categories
General Requirements
Passport
Valid, with a certified copy of all pages including blank ones.
Registration Form
Completed in legible block letters with original signature.
Criminal Background Check
From country of origin / last 3 years of residence. Valid 6 months. Apostilled + translated into Spanish.
Consular Registration
Registration at the embassy or consulate of your home country in Costa Rica. Mandatory since 2023.
Fingerprinting
At the Ministry of Public Security. Required for applicants over 12 years of age.
Apostille / Legalization
All foreign documents must be apostilled or consularly legalized and translated by an authorized translator.
Medical Report
Issued by an authorized physician in Costa Rica or in the country of origin with proper legalization.
Application Fee
$50 USD payable to the Government through Banco de Costa Rica (BCR).
Ready to start your application?
Our attorneys prepare every document package for you — apostilles included.
Get startedTemporary and Permanent Residency
Residency Categories
The final step
Permanent Residency — Unrestricted Status
By Temporality
3 consecutive years with active, uninterrupted temporary residency.
By Family Tie
Parents, children, or siblings with disabilities of a Costa Rican citizen: direct access.
Child Born in CR
Covers one or both parents and the minor siblings of the CR-born child.
Category Change Fee
$200 USD if the process begins while the applicant is in the country as a tourist.
Rights of unrestricted permanent residents
- Work in any paid activity without additional permits from the Ministry of Labor
- Equivalent to the rights of a national citizen, except political rights
- Status does not expire — periodic renewal of the DIMEX identity card is required
- Must visit Costa Rica at least once a year to maintain the status
Updated fees — Resolution DJUR-0596-11-2024-JM
Costs & Fees 2025
All amounts in USD. Local currency fees converted at 500 CRC = $1 USD.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residency application fee | $50.00 |
| Category change (from tourist status) | $200.00 |
| DIMEX card — official base cost | $43.00 |
| DIMEX card — actual counter cost | ~$128–$133 |
| Fiscal stamps (per file) | $0.25 + ~$0.01/page |
| Civil Registry certificate | $3.15 |
| Digital Nomad visa | $100.00 |
| Expired DIMEX penalty | $3.00 / month |
Resident's social obligation
CCSS — Costa Rican Social Security
Health (SEM)
5.50%
Medical care, hospitalization, and medication
Pension (IVM)
4.33%
Contributory fund for disability, old age, and death
Total estimated
~10–13%
Of declared income — increased in 2025
⚠️ CCSS enrollment is a mandatory condition for any renewal
All temporary or permanent residents must enroll within 22 business days of residency approval. Staying current is non-negotiable to renew or change category. Example: a rentista with declared income of $2,500/month may pay approximately $400 USD/month in CCSS contributions.
Exception: Digital nomads and religious volunteers are exempt if they hold an active international health insurance policy.
Repatriation fund
Guarantee Deposit
Every foreigner granted residency must deposit with the DGME to cover potential repatriation costs. Amount varies by category and country of origin.
$300
General category (maximum)
$100
Children of Costa Rican citizens
$100
Digital Nomad (stay category)
$30
Agricultural workers (employer-paid)
Plan ahead
Estimated Processing Times
The path to citizenship
Naturalization — Costa Rican Citizenship
Costa Rica recognizes dual nationality. The required residency period varies by the applicant's nationality.
5
years of legal residency
Central Americans, Ibero-Americans, and Spaniards by birth
7
years of legal residency
All other nationalities
Naturalization requirements
- Spanish language proficiency exam
- Social studies exam: Costa Rican history and values
- Proof of financial solvency
- Good conduct certified by witnesses
- Updated criminal records from all countries of residence
- Official notice published in La Gaceta upon completion of the process
Ready to start your residency process?
Our legal team handles every step — from document preparation to DGME submission and CCSS enrollment.
Informational content updated for 2025–2026 · Sources: DGME · Law 8764 · Law 9996 · Law 10008 · Resolution DJUR-0596-11-2024-JM
For specific cases, qualified legal immigration advice is always recommended.