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Costa Rica Country Profile

Passport
For more details visit Costa Rica Passport Ranking
  • Passport Grade
    B
  • Passport Ranking
    62/198
  • Passport Score
    138/198
  • Visa-free Countries
    129
  • Visa-required Countries
    69
  • Access to the World's GDP
    42%
  • Access to the World's Surface Area
    43%
  • Access to the World's Population
    33%
  • Access to the Unesco Sites
    72%
Citizenship and Naturalization
Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
  • Birthright citizenship (Jus Soli)
    Yes
    Unrestricted: Any child born in the country automatically becomes a citizen.
Naturalization - Standard Conditions
  • Minimum residency period
    7 years
  • Physical presence requirement
    Must stay the entire 2,555 days (7 years) on the ground. Last 12 months must be continuous
  • Language test
    Yes, Spanish
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    No
  • Can minor children naturalize?
    Yes
  • Can naturalized parents pass citizenship to a child born abroad?
    No
  • Can you lose naturalization due to prolonged absence/ naturalization elsewhere?
    No / No
Naturalization - Your Spouse is a Citizen
  • Living IN the country: Residency/marriage requirement
    2 years / 2 years
    Must be both married and reside in the country for 2 years.
  • Living ABROAD: Marriage requirement
    Not allowed
  • Language test
    Yes, Spanish
  • Need to renounce original citizenship?
    No
Naturalization - Other Beneficial Provisions
  • Your child is a citizen
    No provisions
  • Citizens of specific countries
    5 years
    5 years for citizens by birth of Spain, any other Central American country, or an Iberoamerican country.
"–": The provision has not been analysed.
Taxation
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Taxation Type
    Territorial
A tax resident of a country with a TERRITORIAL tax system pays taxes on the income generated within the country only. Income generated outside of the country remains tax-free.
Schiff Sovereign's Take on Costa Rica
Costa Rica can tick a lot of Plan B boxes for many people. 

If you’ve always dreamt of starting a wellness business – think yoga, eco-hotels, organic produce or handmade products – then look no further – Costa Rica has become a true Mecca for all things healthy and natural. 

Most importantly, the country is a fantastic retirement destination. The weather, for one thing, is amazing. 

In Costa Rica, you can pick and choose your climate. Whether you’d enjoy hot and humid Caribbean weather, the milder beach climes of the Pacific Ocean, or the cool coffee-growing highlands of the Central Valley, you’ll be able to find a place that just feels right.

Crime is largely not an issue (which is always a big deal in Latin America), and the local people are very friendly towards foreigners.

It’s also a very short flight from the US and Canada, making a trip back home to see the grandkids a rather easy undertaking. 

And due to the number of expats there, English is widely spoken in certain areas.

If you are sold on Costa Rica, obtaining a residency there is straightforward. Some families still practice “visa runs”, traveling every 90 days or so, although we certainly wouldn’t recommend doing that.

Costa Rica is still fairly priced, although not as dirt-cheap and untapped as it was about three decades ago. 

Today, there seem to be fewer locals than Americans and Europeans present in the country snorkeling, birdwatching, and ziplining. (Ziplining was actually invented in Costa Rica.)

In many ways, Costa Rica is very similar to its neighbor, Panama… and it also boasts a territorial tax system (meaning no worldwide taxation for residents).

But it is less friendly in terms of business and investment opportunities. Getting things done can also be quite difficult in Costa Rica, plus there are noticeably more regulations there. 

But for the right kind of person, the country can make a lot of sense.
Schiff Sovereign's Rolodex
Service Providers available in Costa Rica
  • Immigration (residency, citizenship)
  • Full relocation services (real estate search, bank account opening, driver's licence, etc.)
  • Tax advice (attorneys and/or accountants)
  • Corporate services (company formation, etc.)
Obtain access to our Rolodex by signing up for Sovereign Confidential Join Sovereign Confidential Today

Sovereign Global Explorer

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Costa Rica Overview
  • Region
    North and South America
  • Capital City
    San José
  • Largest City
    San José
  • Currency
    Costa Rican colón
  • Languages
    Spanish
  • Population
    5.2 million (122nd)
  • Life Expectancy
    79.6 years (57th)
  • GDP (Nominal)
    $68.5 billion (85th)
  • GDP/Capita
    $13,265 (75th)
Useful Data
For more details visit Cost of Living
  • Cost of Living
    Moderate (4/7)
  • Climate
    Very comfortable (1/5)
  • Safety
    Average (4/7)
  • Pollution
    Clean (2/5)
  • English Proficiency
    Moderate (3/5)

Sovereign Global Explorer

Benefiting from over a decade of our team’s boots-on-the-ground experience, Global Explorer is where your international journey begins.
Explore Now
Found a mistake /
Have a suggestion ?
Please let us know if you spot any inaccuracies on this page or have a suggestion on how to make it even more useful.
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PREMIUM REPORTS
Costa Rica inside Schiff Sovereign resources
Resource TitleProductTypeDate
The Best Countries for Birth TourismSovereign ConfidentialSMCAlert06-Nov-2311/06/23
The Roundup of Common Residency Options in Latin AmericaSovereign ConfidentialSMCBlack Paper06-Sep-2309/06/23
TA Monthly Call Recording: Costa Rican Residency, Citizenship and Taxation with Quatro LegalSovereign Total AccessTAMonthly Calls27-Jul-2307/27/23
Next TA Service Provider Monthly Call: Send in Your Questions about Costa Rican Residency, Taxation, and MoreSovereign Total AccessTAMonthly Calls11-Jul-2307/11/23
International Health Insurance PlansSovereign ConfidentialSMCAlert04-May-2305/04/23
September 2022 SMC Q&ASovereign ConfidentialSMCQ&A29-Sep-2209/29/22
Costa Rican residency as a part of your Plan BSovereign ConfidentialSMCAlert28-Sep-2209/28/22
Total Access Special Report – Country Profile: Costa RicaSovereign Total AccessTAOther26-Sep-2209/26/22
A Roundup of Naturalization Rules & Timelines in the AmericasSovereign ConfidentialSMCBlack Paper27-Jun-2206/27/22
March 2022 SMC Q&A (Live Call Recording)Sovereign ConfidentialSMCQ&A31-Mar-2203/31/22
10 More Residency Options for Digital WorkersSovereign ConfidentialSMCMonthly Letter15-Dec-2112/15/21
Medical tourism destinations in Latin AmericaSovereign ConfidentialSMCAlert05-Jan-2101/05/21
October 2018 SMC Q&ASovereign ConfidentialSMCQ&A31-Oct-1810/31/18
Sovereign Man Country Rankings: The Right Country for YOU, with Simon's insightsSovereign ConfidentialSMCBlack Paper06-Apr-1704/06/17
How to obtain residency in Costa RicaSovereign ConfidentialSMCAlert10-Jun-1606/10/16
Case Study: Moving to Costa Rica with two small childrenSovereign ConfidentialSMCCase Study22-Apr-1604/22/16
Meet FATCA’s even nastier cousin: CRSSovereign ConfidentialSMCAlert26-Feb-1602/26/16

Articles featuring Costa Rica

Second Residency

Costa Rica Investor Visa 2023: Everything you need to know

Costa Rica, a small country nestled in Central America, boasts a unique blend of natural beauty, modern convenience, and a highly appealing investor visa program for those seeking a flexible “Plan B” residency. And priced from just $150,000, the program could make sense for a wide range of people. Let’s get into the details below… […]
Costa Rica Residency Programs 2023
Second Residency

Costa Rica’s ascent as an excellent Plan B destination…

Given its scenic beauty, relaxed pace of life, affordability and proximity to North America, Costa Rica has long been popular among American retirees. But the country is also increasingly popular among a younger generation of remote workers and digital nomads. Today, we take a look at some of the country’s easy residency options. Costa Rica […]

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