Move to Costa Rica

Peaceful green land of volcanoes, cloud forests and pura vida calm

Costa Rica has a dedicated remote worker stay for people earning at least $3,000 a month from abroad ($4,000 with family), applied for online. For longer-term life there are temporary residences for pensioners ($1,000 a month lifetime pension) and rentistas ($2,500 a month stable income), which can lead to permanent residence.

Routes we checked
3
Digital nomad visa
Yes
Language
Spanish
Currency
CRC
Last checked
30 October 2026

Digital nomad visaRetirement visaPassive income visa

Ways to live in Costa Rica

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Remote Worker Stay (digital nomad)

Lets people who work remotely for employers or clients outside Costa Rica stay beyond the normal tourist period; working for local employers is not allowed.

What you need
Stable income of at least $3,000 a month paid from outside Costa Rica ($4,000 with dependants), shown with a year of bank statements and an affidavit or accountant's certificate. Health insurance for the whole stay and apostilled, translated foreign documents.
Income
from about $3,000 a month
How long
1 year, renewable once for another year (up to 2 years in total)
Renewable
Yes
Cost
$100 application fee per person plus $90 for the stay document after approval
Processing time
By law, a decision within 15 calendar days
How to apply
Online at tramiteya.go.cr/dgme or in person at an immigration office
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
No; for permanent residence you would need to switch to a residence such as rentista or pensionado.
Tax
Income earned from abroad is exempt from Costa Rican income tax.

Official page

Retirement visa Retirement visas →

Temporary Residence – Pensioner (Pensionado)

For people with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month.

What you need
Official proof of a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month (apostilled if from abroad). Plus the standard residence documents: birth certificate, criminal record, fingerprints, photos and consular registration.
Income
from about $1,000 a month
How long
Temporary residence, renewable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
$50 first application fee plus fees for the residence ID card
How to apply
At Costa Rica's immigration office or a Costa Rican consulate
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes: after 3 years as a temporary resident you can apply for permanent residence.

Official page

Passive income visa Passive income visas →

Temporary Residence – Rentista (stable income)

For people with a stable, permanent income of at least $2,500 a month guaranteed for at least 2 years.

What you need
Official proof of a stable income of at least $2,500 a month for at least 2 years (apostilled if from abroad), plus the standard residence documents. At renewal, a bank certificate showing the income continues.
Income
from about $2,500 a month
How long
Temporary residence, renewable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
$50 first application fee plus fees for the residence ID card
How to apply
At Costa Rica's immigration office or a Costa Rican consulate
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes: after 3 years as a temporary resident you can apply for permanent residence.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

One-bedroom flat$540
Two-bedroom flat$1,020
Bills$60
Typical local salary$820

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Costa Rica packs rainforest, volcanoes and Pacific and Caribbean beaches into a small country with a strong nature-first culture. Expats choose the cooler Central Valley or surf towns in Guanacaste and the Nicoya peninsula.

Day to day

Buses connect most towns, though a car helps on rough rural roads. Private clinics are good, and the public system is widely used by residents. Cards work in most places, internet is decent, and Spanish matters outside tourist hubs.

Trade-offs

Costs are high for Central America, especially imported goods and cars. Roads can be poor in the rainy season, and petty theft from cars and homes is a common complaint.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Costa Rica have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Costa Rica offers: Remote Worker Stay (digital nomad).

How can I move to Costa Rica?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Retirement visa, Passive income visa.

Can I retire in Costa Rica?

Yes, through: Temporary Residence – Pensioner (Pensionado).

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Costa Rica were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Costa Rica were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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