Path to staying
- Residence permit24 months
- Renew24 months at a time
- Permanent residencyafter 3 years
- Citizenshipafter 7 years
- Permanent residency 3 years
- Citizenship 7 years
- Dual citizenship allowed
- Language required for citizenship
Overview
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Program
- Pensionado Visa
- Local name
- Residencia temporal como persona pensionada
- Type
- Retirement
- Status
- Active
- Initial duration
- 24 months
- Renewable
- Yes (24 mo)
Temporary residence for a person with a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month, certified by a competent authority. There is no minimum age. The same pension covers a spouse and children under 25, and children of any age with a disability.
Financial requirements
- Income requirement
- $1,000/mo
- Pension requirement
- $1,000/mo
- Application fee
- $250
Eligibility
- Criminal record check required
- Health check not required
- Health insurance not required
Work rights
- Employment not allowed
- Self-employment not allowed
- Own a business allowed
- Work permit included no
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
- Spouse included
- Yes
- Max child age
- 25
- Parents allowed
- No
Benefits and mobility
- Bank account can open
- Property purchase allowed
- Public healthcare access granted
Tax
- Tax regime
- Territorial
- Regime name
- Territorial Tax System
- Foreign income taxed
- No
- Capital gains taxed
- No
How to apply
- Method
- online, in person
- Apply from abroad
- No
Notes
The pension must be lifetime and at least US$1,000 a month, or the colón equivalent at the Central Bank sell rate. A certificate issued abroad must be legalized or apostilled. The annual figures are twelve times the monthly test. The current regulation does not set a minimum number of days in the country. Paid or lucrative work needs a separate immigration authorization. Affiliation to the CCSS is required to renew. Filing after entry is online through the DGME desk or in person. The filing payments are US$50 plus US$200 when changing from a non-resident category, for the applicant and for each dependent, plus a small stamp duty. The five-year window to opt into the Law 9996 household-goods, vehicle and transfer-tax benefits closed on 14 July 2026. People who opted in keep those benefits for ten years. New applicants do not receive them.
Also in Costa Rica
Costa Rica also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Source