Last updated October 13, 2026

Quick summary

Costa Rica offers several residency categories built around pension income, other steady income, investment or remote work. Most Americans use the Pensionado category (a lifetime pension such as Social Security) or the Rentista category (other stable income or a bank deposit).

• Pensionado. Guides say a lifetime pension of about $1,000 a month (not confirmed on a government page we could open).
• Rentista. Guides say stable income of about $2,500 a month or a deposit of about $60,000 (not confirmed on a government page we could open).
• Investor. Guides quote roughly $150,000 to $200,000 (not confirmed on a government page we could open).
• Digital nomad. At least $3,000 a month from remote work for clients outside Costa Rica ($4,000 with dependents), for a one-year stay that the tourism board says can be renewed for one more year.
• Applying. The digital nomad stay can be filed online through Tramite Ya. The State Department warns against using tourist status to live in Costa Rica.
• Healthcare. The digital nomad stay requires medical insurance of at least $50,000. For the residency categories, ask the Caja (CCSS) about joining the public system.

Why Americans are moving to Costa Rica

Costa Rica has drawn American retirees and remote workers for decades, thanks to its stability and its laid-back pura vida lifestyle.

• Stability. A long-standing democracy with no standing army.
• Nature. Rainforest, volcanoes, waterfalls and beaches on two coasts.
• Closeness. A short flight from many US cities, in a time zone friendly to US clients.
• Established expat communities. English is widely spoken in expat areas, so settling in is easier.
• Healthcare access. Public healthcare for residents plus a well-regarded private sector.
• Tax approach. Costa Rica taxes income earned in the country rather than worldwide income.

Visa options

Costa Rica’s residency categories are set by income or investment. Pick the one that matches how you earn money.

The digital nomad figures come from the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s official pages. We could not open the immigration authority (DGME) pages for Pensionado, Rentista and Investor, so those amounts come from non-government guides and may be out of date. Check them on the DGME residency categories page or with an attorney before you apply.

Things to know

• Pensionado and Rentista are temporary residencies. Guides say they are granted for 2 years and are renewable. Ask DGME about the term and about moving to permanent residency.
• Work rights. Guides say Rentista holders cannot take salaried jobs. Confirm your work rights for your category with DGME.
• The digital nomad stay is separate. The official pages describe a one-year stay renewable once. They do not say it leads to residency, so ask DGME if you plan to stay longer.
• Family. The digital nomad stay allows dependents if you show at least $4,000 a month. For other categories, ask DGME who can be included.
• Presence rules. Non-government guides mention a minimum time in the country each year. We could not confirm it on a government page, so ask DGME or your attorney.
• Proof of income. For the digital nomad stay, bank statements for the previous year. Only the accountant or notary certification needs an apostille.

How to apply, step by step

The steps below follow the Costa Rica Tourism Board and Embassy pages we could open for the digital nomad stay. For other categories, DGME sets the list, so check it first.

1. Choose your category. Match your income or investment to Pensionado, Rentista, Investor or digital nomad. Start on the DGME residency categories page or the DGME visas page.
2. Gather US documents. For the digital nomad stay: a signed application form, a copy of your passport photo page, and bank statements showing the required income during the previous year (or a certification from a public accountant or notary). For the other categories, ask DGME for the current list.
3. Legalize and translate. The Costa Rican Embassy says US documents with an apostille are recognized without a consulate visit. You get the apostille from the Secretary of State of the state that issued the document (see the Embassy legal services page). Foreign-language documents need official Spanish translations.
4. Pay the fee and file. The digital nomad application fee is $100, paid to the Ministry of Finance account shown on the requirements page. Sending-bank fees and a $15 fee charged by Banco de Costa Rica come on top. File online through Tramite Ya or in person at a DGME office.
5. Security review. The tourism board says applications are checked against criminal and police records, and DGME may take biometrics.
6. After approval. You have three months to process your immigration document, per the issuance page. Book the appointment through the Immigration Call Center at 1311.
7. Bring the receipts. The issuance page lists a $90 receipt, a guarantee deposit receipt, your passport and a medical insurance policy covering the full stay.
8. Renew on time. The digital nomad stay can be renewed for one more year. For other categories, ask DGME about renewal.

A lawyer is optional but common, because the process involves documents in Spanish. Ask for a written fee quote that separates legal fees from government fees. The US State Department also warns that using tourist status to live in Costa Rica can lead to deportation and a re-entry ban.

Cost of living in Costa Rica

A single person living comfortably in a smaller Costa Rican city or town can expect to spend about $1,660 a month, and a couple about $2,420. These are our own estimates, built from several published sources, in US dollars for a comfortable (not luxury) lifestyle. Real costs vary with location and habits.

Living in a major area such as San José and its popular suburbs raises rent, bringing the estimate to about $1,940 for a single person and $2,820 for a couple. Use our cost of living calculator to compare scenarios across all 12 countries.

Sources consulted: Wise, Expatistan and International Living cost-of-living pages, combined with our own calculations. Figures are estimates, subject to change, and exchange rates are approximate.

Healthcare

Medicare does not cover you in Costa Rica. Residents join the public system and many also add private care.

• The Caja (CCSS). The public health and pension system. We could not open the Caja website, and non-government guides say residents must join and pay a share of declared income. Ask the Caja for the current rules and rate.
• Private care. Private clinics and hospitals are popular with expats and are widely used for faster appointments and English-speaking doctors, usually at lower prices than in the US.
• Private insurance. The digital nomad stay requires medical insurance of at least $50,000 for the full stay, from an international provider or a Costa Rican insurer regulated by the insurance superintendent. Dependents must be insured too.
• Pre-existing conditions. Ask the Caja and any private insurer how they treat them.

Taxes for Americans in Costa Rica

Moving to Costa Rica does not end your US tax obligations. This section is general information, not tax advice, so speak to an adviser who handles US and Costa Rican taxes before you go.

On the US side

• You still file. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income and file a return wherever they live, according to the IRS.
• Extra time. Americans living overseas get an automatic 2-month extension, which moves the usual April 15 due date to June 15. Interest still runs on tax owed after April.
• Relief exists, but only if you file. The foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit can reduce what you owe, and you can claim them only by filing the right US return.
• Foreign account reporting. If your foreign accounts together exceeded $10,000 at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) electronically by April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15, per the IRS FBAR page.

On the Costa Rican side

The points below come from non-government guides, except where noted. Tax rules are set by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda), so confirm them there or with an adviser. The tourism board says digital nomad stay holders are exempt from income tax.

• Territorial system. Costa Rica generally taxes income earned inside the country. Foreign pensions, dividends and salaries earned outside the country are generally not taxed by Costa Rica.
• Local income. Income earned in Costa Rica is taxed under progressive rates that top out at about 25%, and local dividends and interest are taxed at about 15%.
• Property tax. Property tax is commonly quoted at about 0.25% of registered value.
• Tax residence. Time in the country, commonly 183 days or more, matters for residency status in many systems, so ask an adviser how it applies to you.
• Treaty and social security. The US does not have an income tax treaty or a totalization agreement with Costa Rica, as far as we found, so check how your US tax credits and Social Security apply.

Costa Rican-side summary adapted from Migronis: Costa Rica guide, a general guide and not professional advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm current figures.

Where to live

Residency lets you live anywhere in Costa Rica, so choose by climate, community and distance to healthcare.

• Central Valley (Escazú, Santa Ana, Atenas, Grecia). Mild year-round weather, good hospitals and a large expat community near San José.
• San José. The capital has the most services and the busiest traffic.
• Guanacaste and the northern Pacific coast. Beach towns such as Tamarindo with a dry, sunny climate and many foreign residents.
• Central and southern Pacific coast. Jacó, Manuel Antonio and Uvita offer jungle-meets-beach living.
• Arenal and the highlands. Cooler, greener towns near volcanoes and lakes.
• The Caribbean coast. A slower, more rural pace with a distinct local culture.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems come from paperwork, healthcare enrollment and assumptions about work.

• Assuming you can take a local job. Check the work rights of your category with DGME first.
• Skipping the apostille. The Embassy says US documents with an apostille are recognized, so get it from the right Secretary of State.
• Planning for healthcare too late. The nomad stay needs insurance at the appointment, so buy it first.
• Choosing the digital nomad stay for long-term plans. It is a one-year stay renewable once, so ask DGME what comes after.
• Relying on an old investor threshold. Guides quote different amounts, so confirm the current one with DGME.
• Underestimating processing time. The tourism board gives no processing time, so ask DGME and allow extra time.
• Missing the three-month window. After approval of a digital nomad stay you have three months to process your immigration document.
• Putting a property in a company’s name. The investor category requires it in your personal name.
• Hiring without a written fee quote. Ask for legal and government fees separately.
• Ignoring US filing. You still file in the US and report foreign accounts.

Permanent residency and citizenship

We could not open the government pages on permanent residency or citizenship, so the points below come from non-government guides. Confirm current rules with DGME as you approach each stage.

1. Temporary residency. Guides say the first term is 2 years. The digital nomad stay is one year, renewable once.
2. Permanent residency. Guides say it may be possible after 3 years of temporary residency. Check the period with DGME.
3. Citizenship. Guides say naturalization takes about 7 years of residence and includes exams. We could not confirm this on a government page, so check before you plan around it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply from inside Costa Rica?

The digital nomad application can be filed online through Tramite Ya or at a DGME office. For other categories, check with DGME.

Does Social Security count as a pension?

Guides commonly say Social Security is accepted for the Pensionado category. We could not confirm it on a government page, so ask DGME.

Can I work in Costa Rica?

The digital nomad stay is for paid remote work for clients outside Costa Rica. For work rights in the other categories, ask DGME or an attorney.

Do I need health insurance?

The digital nomad stay requires medical insurance of at least $50,000 covering the full stay. For other categories, ask the Caja and DGME.

How long does it take?

The pages we could open give no processing time. Ask DGME, and allow extra time for documents.

Do I need a lawyer?

Not required on the pages we read, but many applicants use one. Ask for fees in writing.

Will I pay tax in both countries?

You file in the US regardless. The tourism board says digital nomad stay holders are exempt from Costa Rican income tax. Get cross-border advice before you move.

Sources and last updated

Last updated October 13, 2026. This guide draws on Costa Rican and US government pages. Visa rules, fees and thresholds change often, so confirm every figure with Costa Rica’s immigration authority before you apply. Where this guide says something could not be confirmed or is unclear, consult and verify it with the immigration authorities before making any major decision, such as signing a lease, buying property, moving money or booking a move. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.

• Costa Rica Tourism Board: digital nomad stay
• Costa Rica Tourism Board: requirements
• Costa Rica Tourism Board: issuing the immigration document
• Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington: legal services and apostilles
• US State Department: Costa Rica
• US Embassy San José: residing in Costa Rica
• DGME: residency categories (could not be opened)
• Migronis (non-government, used for the Costa Rican tax summary only)
• IRS: U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad
• IRS: Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)