Living in Costa Rica
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Costa Rica – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Costa Rica
Help from the Costa Rican government
For any questions about moving to or living in Costa Rica, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in San José cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Costa Rica.
Professional help in Costa Rica
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Costa Rica, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Costa Rica to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Costa Rica. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Costa Rica before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit (in Spanish) you need to live in Costa Rica.
You can get a visa or residence permit to:
- work
- study
- conduct research
- retire
- volunteer
The Costa Rican Embassy has a guide to temporary residence.
If you want to extend your residence permit, contact the Costa Rican immigration department (in Spanish).
The Costa Rican authorities may ask you to register with the British Embassy in San José as part of the visa or residency process. You can request a registration document through the British Embassy Facebook page. Complete a simple form and you will get a printable certificate by email.
Registering as a resident
Once your residency is approved, you must get your Documento de Identificación de Migración (DIMEX) card (in Spanish) within 90 days.
If you have any problems or questions about getting your DIMEX card, contact:
- contact the Costa Rican immigration department (in Spanish)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Costa Rica
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Costa Rica if you’ve lived in the country for 3 years with a temporary residence permit.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read Costa Rican immigration department guidance on permanent residency (in Spanish).
Citizenship
Costa Rica recognises dual citizenship. This means you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Costa Rican citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Costa Rican citizenship:
- read guidance on naturalisation services in Costa Rican (in Spanish)
- contact the Costa Rican Embassy in London
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in San José cannot help with Costa Rican visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Costa Rican immigration department (in Spanish)
- the Costa Rican Embassy in London
- an English-speaking lawyer in Costa Rica
Passports
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Costa Rica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Costa Rica does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Costa Rican and international providers.
As a temporary or permanent resident, you must register with the national health insurance system, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (in Spanish) (you may not be able to access this website outside Costa Rica). You’ll have to pay monthly premiums based on your income.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Costa Rica
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Costa Rica
Working in Costa Rica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Costa Rica, you need a visa or residence permit that allows you to work.
Read Costa Rica immigration department guidance on residence permits (in Spanish). Contact the department if you have questions.
Most employers accept UK degrees from the recognised list. You’ll need to get your degree certificates legalised.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Costa Rica, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (in Spanish).
Driving in Costa Rica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
If you’re resident in Costa Rica, you must get a Costa Rican driving licence. You can exchange your UK licence without taking a test.
Car insurance in Costa Rica relates to the vehicle and not the driver. If your licence is valid, you’re insured to drive.
Contact the Costa Rican Immigration Department to exchange your driving licence (in Spanish).
Read about road travel in Costa Rica, in safety and security in the travel advice for Costa Rica.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to register your vehicle with a Costa Rican disability number plate. For more information, contact the National Council for People with Disabilities (CONAPDIS) (in Spanish).
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Costa Rica, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
Contact the Costa Rican Ministry of Finance (in Spanish) for any questions about tax.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Costa Rica. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Costa Rica.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Costa Rican pension
Contact the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (in Spanish) to find out whether you can claim the state pension (‘Régimen Invalidez, Vejez y Muerte’) in Costa Rica.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Costa Rican benefits
Contact the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (in Spanish) to find out whether you can claim benefits in Costa Rica (you may not be able to access this website outside Costa Rica).
Foreign nationals are not entitled to many Costa Rican social welfare benefits.
Buying and renting property in Costa Rica
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
You can buy property in Costa Rica. However, foreign nationals face restrictions on buying property near the coast.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Costa Rica
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Costa Rican elections
You cannot vote in Costa Rican elections unless you hold Costa Rican citizenship.
Studying in Costa Rica
If you plan to study in Costa Rica, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Read the Costa Rican Embassy’s guide to temporary residence, which includes information on studying.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Costa Rica
- on public universities, contact the Council of Rectors (in Spanish)
- on private universities, contact the Council of Private Higher Education (in Spanish) (you may not be able to access this website outside Costa Rica)
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Ministry of Public Education provides information about the school system in Costa Rica (you may not be able to access this website outside Costa Rica).
All children aged 4 to 17 must attend school in Costa Rica.
Childcare
The Ministry of Public Education is responsible for childcare services in Costa Rica (you may not be able to access this website outside Costa Rica).
Many foreign nationals use private nursery and childminder services.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Costa Rica, register the birth with the Costa Rican Civil Registry. If you give birth in a hospital, staff will help you do this.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Costa Rica, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
Read guidance on marriage services in Costa Rica (in Spanish).
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Read guidance on divorce services in Costa Rica (in Spanish).
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Costa Rica.
Documents for British people in Costa Rica
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Costa Rica, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Costa Rica, read guidance on :
- importing dogs and cats to Costa Rica (PDF, 169KB) (in Spanish)
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Costa Rican authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Document has been completely reviewed and updated. The section on coronavirus has been removed. The Overview has been expanded with new information. A "Before you go" section has been added. The "Entry requirements" section has been renamed "Visas and residency". A "Passports and travel" section has been added. The former paragraph entitled "Guidance on bringing medication into country" has been updated and renamed "Medicines". The "Employment and recognised qualifications" has been renamed "Working in Costa Rica". The "Education" section has been updated and renamed "Studying in Costa Rica". The "Benefits" section has been updated and renamed "Tax". The "Finance" section has been updated and renamed "Money and banking". There are new sections related to "Pensions" and "Accommodation and buying property". The former "Driving licences and vehicles" section has been updated and renamed "Driving in Costa Rica." There are new sections on: Voting Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership Pets The section on Registering with the Embassy has been updated. There are new sections on Emergencies and Returning to the UK.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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New section included on Registering with the Embassy .
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First published.