Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers two oceans, volcanoes and national parks, while San José and its valley supply healthcare and city life. Prices are higher than in the neighbouring countries: imports and housing in popular spots cost nearly as much as in Europe. The dry season runs from December to April and rain from May to November, while the Central Valley keeps an even temperature all year. Residency for remote workers and retirees is well established; the difficulties are the roads, coastal humidity and the cost of anything imported.

CRC 623,313
Living solo, economy
Tropical
Climate

Cost of living3

Living solo, economy: CRC 623,313 per month
Living as a couple, comfort: CRC 1,617,031 per month
Living as a family, premium: CRC 2,811,254 per month

Entry and visas7

Nomad visa: Open
Work visa: With restrictions
Student visa: Open
Retirement visa: Open; Pensionado требует $1 000/мес гарантированного пенсионного дохода, Rentista — $2 500/мес пассивного дохода (часто закрывается депозитом ≈$60 000 на 2 года).
Paid residency program: No such programme
Investment residency: Open
Residency by investment: entry threshold: from $150,000

Money and housing7

Median rent: $940 per month
Tax system: Territorial; Территориальный налог: облагается только доход из костариканского источника, локальная ставка до 25% — иностранная пенсия, дивиденды и рента налогом не облагаются.
Income tax, maximum: up to 25%
Price per square metre: $2,200 per m²
Property ownership for foreigners: Allowed
Special regime for new residents: No
Mortgage for non-residents: No

Safety and environment6

Air quality: AQI 35
Safety: 4 out of 5; Одна из самых спокойных стран Центральной Америки: армии нет с 1948 года, уровень насильственной преступности заметно ниже соседей по региону.
Armed conflict: None
Healthcare: 4 out of 5
Internet: 4 out of 5
Insurance required for a visa: Yes; Резидентские визы требуют обязательного подключения к государственной страховке CAJA.

Language and daily life4

English: 3 out of 5
Russian-speaking: 1 out of 5
Banking: 3 out of 5
MIR cards: No

Legalization9

Years to permanent residency: 3 years
Years to citizenship: 7 years; Все треки резидентства конвертируются в ПМЖ через 3 года и открывают натурализацию через 7 лет; при браке с гражданином(-кой) или костариканском ребёнке срок сокращается.
Remote work for foreign clients: Yes
Citizenship by investment: No such programme
Hiring a foreigner: Hard
Ease of legalization: 3 out of 5
Second passport kept after naturalisation: Yes
Citizenship for a child born here: Unconditional; Гражданство по рождению безусловно, но формально требует регистрации в госреестре до достижения 25 лет — процедурная деталь, не условие на статус родителей.
Fast-track naturalisation: Yes

Climate and region3

Climate: Tropical
Kind of destination: To live in
Region: Americas

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Costa Rica

Facts about the destination

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