Pathway to a Pure Life
Secure your Costa Rican residency through a qualifying investment from $150,000 — with expert, end-to-end legal, investment, and lifestyle guidance under Law 9996.
Why Costa Rica
Four Pillars of a Sound Investment
Costa Rica offers a rare combination of financial advantages, political stability, and exceptional quality of life that few nations can match.
Territorial Tax System
Costa Rica operates on a territorial tax system — foreign-sourced income is 100% tax-free. Dividends, capital gains, and income earned outside Costa Rica are not subject to local taxation.
Political Stability
One of Latin America's oldest democracies, Costa Rica has no standing army since 1948 and consistently ranks among the most politically stable nations in the region.
Quality of Life
Ranked #1 on the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica offers world-class healthcare, international schools, thriving expat communities, and an unparalleled natural environment.
Property Rights
Foreign nationals enjoy the same property rights as Costa Rican citizens. Your real estate investment is fully protected under constitutional law.
Eligibility
Residency Requirements
Costa Rica's investor residency requirements are straightforward and well-defined. Here is what you'll need.
$150,000 USD
Minimum Investment
Verifiable investment in qualifying Costa Rican assets. Must be maintained throughout the residency period.
Apostilled Certificate
Clean Criminal Record
A police clearance certificate from your country of origin or country of residence for the past 3 years, apostilled.
6+ Months Validity
Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application submission.
Notarized & Apostilled
Proof of Investment
Official documentation confirming the qualifying investment — property deed, bank certificates, or investment contracts.
CAJA Enrollment
Health Insurance
Enrollment in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CAJA) — Costa Rica's national healthcare system.
Sociedad Anónima (Optional)
Registered Investment Entity
For structured investments, a Costa Rican S.A. (corporation) is recommended. Our legal team handles full setup.
Not sure if you qualify?
Our advisors provide a free 30-minute eligibility assessment — no commitment required.
How It Works
Your Journey, Step by Step
From initial call to approved residency — a clear, guided process with expert support at every milestone.
Discovery Call
A confidential 45-minute call with our senior advisors to understand your goals, timeline, family needs, and investment capacity.
Discovery Trip
An immersive 3–5 day guided visit to Costa Rica. Meet our legal team, view investment properties, and experience life firsthand.
Invest & Apply
Execute your chosen investment vehicle. Our legal team structures your application, prepares all required documentation, and files with DGME.
Submission
Your complete residency application is submitted to the Costa Rican immigration authority. We manage all follow-ups and government correspondence.
Integration
Upon approval, we guide your relocation, banking setup, CAJA healthcare enrollment, driver's license, and full lifestyle integration.
Discovery Call
A confidential 45-minute call with our senior advisors to understand your goals, timeline, family needs, and investment capacity.
Discovery Trip
An immersive 3–5 day guided visit to Costa Rica. Meet our legal team, view investment properties, and experience life firsthand.
Invest & Apply
Execute your chosen investment vehicle. Our legal team structures your application, prepares all required documentation, and files with DGME.
Submission
Your complete residency application is submitted to the Costa Rican immigration authority. We manage all follow-ups and government correspondence.
Integration
Upon approval, we guide your relocation, banking setup, CAJA healthcare enrollment, driver's license, and full lifestyle integration.
The Lifestyle
Pura Vida — More Than
a Phrase
Costa Rica offers an extraordinary quality of life — world-class healthcare, pristine beaches, cloud forests, modern infrastructure, and a warm, welcoming culture. It is the only country in the world where "happiness" is a national policy.
Common Questions
Everything You Need to Know
Clear answers to the most important questions about Costa Rica residency by investment.
The Costa Rica Golden Visa is the informal name for investor residency (Inversionista) under Law 9996: a qualifying investment of USD $150,000 in approved Costa Rican assets grants you and your family renewable temporary residency, with a path to permanent residency and, later, citizenship.
The minimum qualifying investment is $150,000 USD under Law 9996 (reduced from $200,000). Sustainable reforestation projects qualify at a lower $100,000 threshold. The investment must be documented, insurable where applicable, and held in the applicant's name.
Costa Rica combines a comparatively low $150,000 threshold, territorial taxation (foreign income untaxed), political stability, no military, first-world healthcare, and a genuine path to a respected passport. Many rival programs are re-pricing upward or closing property routes entirely, which makes Costa Rica's value stand out in 2026.
Well-prepared files are commonly resolved within roughly 6–12 months from filing, though times vary with DGME workload. You can remain in Costa Rica legally as a tramite (in-process) applicant while it is pending. Incomplete apostilles and translations are the number-one cause of delay.
Yes. One qualifying investment covers the whole nuclear family: your spouse and dependent children are included under your application without additional investment. Each family member receives their own residency and DIMEX card, and follows the same path to permanent residency.
No. Costa Rica uses territorial taxation: only Costa Rican-source income is taxed. Foreign pensions, dividends, capital gains, salaries, and business income earned abroad are not taxed by Costa Rica — one of the program's most powerful financial advantages for international investors.
After seven years of legal residency for most nationalities — or five years for citizens of Spain and Ibero-American countries. Naturalization requires a Spanish and civics exam, clean record, and demonstrated ties. The clock starts from your first approved residency, so filing early compounds.
A curated 3–5 day immersion arranged by our team: tour qualified investment properties, meet our legal partners, hold banking sessions, and live the neighborhoods before committing capital. Most clients leave with a shortlisted property and a filed-ready document plan.
Begin Your Journey
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you're ready to apply or still in the research phase, our senior advisors are available for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We'll assess your eligibility, answer your questions, and outline the most efficient path to your Costa Rican residency.
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