Your Costa Rica move, mapped.
Every step from decision to full residency — and exit if you leave — in order. Choose your path and see what to do, what we handle, and what happens if you skip a step.
Before you commit
Decision and route design
What you do
Research which residency path fits your situation: Digital Nomad (remote income $3,000+/mo), Pensionado (lifetime pension $1,000+/mo), Rentista ($2,500+/mo unearned income or $60,000 deposit), or Inversionista ($150,000+ investment).
What NordVida does
We assess your situation in a 90-minute onboarding session and recommend the optimal path. We flag if you qualify for multiple categories and which gives you the most flexibility.
If skipped
Choosing the wrong category wastes months and thousands of dollars. Some categories cannot be switched after filing.
What you do
Learn that Costa Rica taxes only Costa Rican-source income (Ley 7092, Art. 1). Foreign pensions, overseas salaries, and foreign investment income are NOT taxed. But local rental income, local consulting, and local business revenue ARE taxable.
If skipped
You may fail to declare Costa Rican-source income, or overpay on foreign income that is exempt. The 183-day rule triggers tax residency, but only local income is taxed.
2-3 months before arrival
Documents and preparation
What you do
Obtain: police record (issued within 6 months, apostilled), birth certificate (apostilled), marriage certificate if applicable (apostilled), proof of income (apostilled), passport copies. All foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin and translated by an official translator.
What NordVida does
We provide a category-specific document checklist, connect you with official translators from the MIREX register, and review every document before submission to avoid rejections.
If skipped
Missing or incorrectly apostilled documents are the #1 cause of application rejection. DGME does not accept photocopies of apostilles. Each rejection adds 2-4 weeks.
Related guide
What you do
Gather 12 months of bank statements showing consistent income of at least $3,000/month ($4,000 with family) from sources outside Costa Rica. Pay the $100 government fee to Banco de Costa Rica.
If skipped
Income must be documented, not just claimed. Bank statements must cover the full 12-month period. Sporadic income below the threshold will be rejected.
What you do
Obtain proof of a permanent, lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month from a recognized source (government pension, Social Security, private pension fund, or qualifying disability pension). Must be apostilled and translated.
What NordVida does
We verify your pension source qualifies under DGME rules and prepare the documentation in the correct format.
What you do
Either deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank (released monthly over 2 years) or document guaranteed unearned income of $2,500/month for 2 years from an external source.
What NordVida does
We coordinate with the bank, verify the deposit structure meets DGME requirements, and ensure the income documentation is correctly formatted.
What you do
Document a qualifying investment of at least $200,000 in Costa Rican real estate, shares of a Costa Rican company, or a government-approved productive project. Forestry/reforestation projects qualify at $100,000. The reduced $150,000 threshold under Law 9996 expired on July 14, 2026 — applications filed on or before that date still qualify at the lower amount.
What NordVida does
We structure the investment to qualify under DGME rules, coordinate with the Registro Nacional for property verification, or PROCOMER/CINDE for business investments. We verify the property is titled in your name (not corporate-held) and unencumbered.
Related guide
What you do
If bringing household goods, arrange a container shipment. If importing a vehicle, research duties (52-79% depending on age). New residents may qualify for tax-free import of one vehicle and household goods under Article 6 of Law 7072 (within 6 months of residency approval).
What NordVida does
We coordinate with customs brokers, verify ISPM-15 compliance for wood packaging, and handle the import duty exemption if you qualify.
First 30 days
Arrival and legal filing
What you do
Enter Costa Rica. Your passport is stamped with a 90-180 day tourist stay (varies by nationality). Keep your entry stamp, you will need it for the residency application if filing from within Costa Rica.
If skipped
If you lose your entry stamp, you must get a replacement from DGME before filing. This can add 1-2 weeks.
What NordVida does
We file the complete application with DGME (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) via Trámite Ya or in person. This includes all apostilled documents, the application form, photos, and government fees.
What you do
Provide fingerprints at DGME if requested. Ensure you remain in legal status (valid tourist stamp) while the application is pending.
If skipped
If your tourist stamp expires before filing, you become illegally present. This can void your application and trigger a fine. File as early as possible.
Related guide
What you do
Rent short-term while your residency is pending. Do NOT buy property immediately. Use the time to learn neighborhoods, understand the market, and verify any property before committing.
If skipped
Buying property before understanding the area, the Maritime Zone rules, or water/utility availability is one of the most common and costly expat mistakes.
What you do
Get a Costa Rican SIM (Kolbi, Claro, Movistar) or activate eSIM. Arrange electricity (ICE), water (local ASADA or AyA), and internet. Some services require a DIMEX or residency card.
What NordVida does
We coordinate utility setup where a legal representative is needed, and provide a temporary phone number if required for applications.
What you do
If bringing a dog or cat, SENSA requires: microchip, rabies vaccination 21+ days before travel, core vaccinations, parasite treatment within 15 days, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate within 14 days of travel. For cargo transport, a SENSA import permit is also required. Plan at least 3 weeks ahead.
If skipped
Arriving without correct documentation means your pet is denied entry at the airport. You must return the pet on the next flight at your expense or place them in SENSA quarantine.
Related guide
Months 1-4 (typical processing)
Residency processing and integration
What you do
Wait. Processing times vary by category and DGME workload. Digital Nomad: typically 15-30 business days. Pensionado/Rentista/Inversionista: typically 3-6 months. You must maintain legal status during this period (extend tourist stamp if needed).
What NordVida does
We track your application status weekly, follow up with DGME, and handle any additional document requests (prevenciones) immediately to avoid delays.
If skipped
If DGME issues a prevención (request for additional documents) and you do not respond within 10 business days, your application can be archived. Untracked applications stall indefinitely.
What you do
Upon residency approval, register with CAJA. Monthly contribution is based on a percentage of declared income. CAJA enrollment is mandatory for all residents — your residency can be revoked if payments lapse.
What NordVida does
We complete your CAJA registration and verify your income tier is correctly classified to avoid overpayment.
Related guide
What you do
After CAJA enrollment, schedule a DIMEX appointment at Banco de Costa Rica. The DIMEX is your official ID card for residents, required for banking, phone contracts, property transactions, and virtually all official business.
What NordVida does
We schedule your DIMEX appointment and verify your card when issued for accuracy of name, residency category, and expiration date.
Related guide
What you do
With DIMEX in hand, open accounts at Banco de Costa Rica (state bank, easiest for residents) and optionally a private bank (BAC, Davivienda). Expect KYC/AML documentation requirements under SUGEF rules. Source-of-funds documentation is mandatory.
What NordVida does
We accompany you to the bank, prepare the source-of-funds letter, and coordinate with the compliance officer to expedite approval.
Related guide
Months 2-6
Assets, vehicles, and corporate structure
What you do
With DIMEX, schedule a COSEVI appointment to exchange (homologate) your foreign license for a Costa Rican one. Requires medical exam, original license, and photos. Do not drive on an expired tourist stamp.
Related guide
What NordVida does
Full title search at Registro Nacional, lien check, boundary verification via SNIT territorial maps, notary verification via DNN, Maritime Zone status check if coastal, water/utility confirmation, SETENA environmental clearance if building.
If skipped
Buying without due diligence can mean: untitled concession land sold as titled property, undisclosed liens, boundary disputes, no water access, or construction restrictions you did not know about.
What NordVida does
Run a Registro Nacional vehicle check (liens, fines, marchamo status, derecho de circulacion). Coordinate the title transfer (traspaso) with a notary on the same day as purchase. Never buy without a clean registry check.
If skipped
The most common vehicle purchase problem: buying a car with unpaid marchamo, traffic fines, or a legal lien. The previous owner leaves the country and you are stuck with their debts.
Related guide
What NordVida does
Advise on S.A. vs S.R.L. structure, register the corporation at the Registro Nacional, appoint a resident agent, file the RTBF beneficial-owner declaration with ICD, and set up the corporate tax filing calendar (D-150, D-140).
If skipped
Dormant corporations still face filing obligations and fines. RTBF non-compliance carries severe penalties. Every S.A./S.R.L. must register an official email by December 31, 2026.
Months 6-12 and ongoing
Compliance, renewal, and long-term planning
What NordVida does
ExpatOne members get a personalized compliance calendar: residency renewal date, corporate tax declarations (D-150/D-140), marchamo (December), property taxes (quarterly), luxury home tax (January), RTBF filing. Automatic reminders, no surprises.
Related guide
What you do
Temporary residency (Pensionado, Rentista, Inversionista) is valid for 2 years and renewable. After 3 years of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency. Digital Nomad is valid 1 year, renewable once (max 2 years).
What NordVida does
We track your renewal date, prepare renewal documents, and file on time. We also advise when you are eligible to upgrade to permanent residency.
If skipped
Letting residency expire means restarting the entire process. You may also lose CAJA continuity and bank account access.
Related guide
What NordVida does
Draft a Costa Rican will (testamento) alongside your home-country will. Verify notary habilitation via DNN. Coordinate with your European/Swedish estate advisor to avoid conflicts between jurisdictions.
If skipped
A foreign will may not be recognized in Costa Rica. Without a local will, your Costa Rican assets go through Costa Rican intestate succession, which is slow, public, and may not match your wishes.
Related guide
What NordVida does
Every year, we sit down with you (in person or by video) and review your complete legal life map. What changed in Costa Rican law? What deadlines are coming up? Are you optimized? Included in all ExpatOne tiers.
If you decide to leave
Exit and closure
What you do
If you leave Costa Rica permanently, do not just abandon your S.A. or S.R.L. A dormant company accumulates annual filing obligations, RTBF fines, and corporate tax penalties. Dissolve it properly through a notary, or transfer ownership if selling.
What NordVida does
We handle the full dissolution process: notarial deed, Registro Nacional filing, Hacienda de-registration, final tax returns. Or we coordinate the share/quota transfer if you are selling.
If skipped
We have seen expats return years later to find frozen companies, accumulated fines, and property they cannot transfer because the company is non-compliant.
Related guide
What you do
Terminate any domestic workers with proper legal process: pay cesantia (severance), proportional aguinaldo, unused vacation, and preaviso (notice). Cancel utilities. Close or convert bank accounts. Pay all outstanding property and municipal taxes. Inform DGME if relinquishing residency.
What NordVida does
We calculate all labor settlements, prepare termination documents, coordinate property sale or rental management, and ensure all taxes are cleared. We create a personalized exit plan so nothing is left hanging.
Related guide
This is exactly what your client portal tracks.
The journey above is the ideal path. Your ExpatOne portal shows where you are on it right now, what is done, what is in progress, and what comes next, in real time.
Explore ExpatOne