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Relokato / Destinations / Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

Rentista, Pensionado and Digital Nomad residence routes, DIMEX card, mandatory CAJA enrollment — with deadlines and the official source for each step.

Last verified: August 22, 2026
16
Tasks in your Costa Rica playbook
3 yr
Temporary to permanent residency path
$1,000
Minimum monthly pension (Pensionado)
$0
To start your plan
Pick your route

Residence routes published
by Costa Rica's DGME.

Rentista
Rentista (Passive Income)
$2,500/month in provable passive income. No work rights in Costa Rica. Leads to permanent residency after 3 years. CAJA enrollment mandatory.
Income: $2,500/mo
Work: Not allowed
Healthcare: CAJA mandatory
Pensionado
Pensionado (Retiree)
$1,000/month guaranteed lifetime pension. No work rights. Same 3-year path to permanent residency. Import tax exemptions on vehicle and household goods.
Income: $1,000/mo pension
Work: Not allowed
Tax: Import exemptions
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Ley 10008)
$3,000/month from remote work ($4,000 with dependents). Faster processing (~15 business days). Maximum 2 years. Does NOT lead to permanent residency.
Income: $3,000/mo
Work: Remote only
Residency: No path
Your roadmap

Four phases, in the
right order.

Phase 1
Immigration & residency
  • Choose category (Rentista/Pensionado/DN)
  • Police clearance + apostille
  • Financial documentation + apostille
  • Submit application to DGME
  • Digital Nomad: file via TramiteYa
Phase 2
Housing
  • Research areas (Escazú, Santa Ana, Atenas, Tamarindo)
  • What to ship vs leave
  • Temporary accommodation (4 weeks)
  • Long-term rental with legal review
Phase 3
Financial
  • Open Costa Rican bank account
  • Enroll in CAJA (mandatory for DIMEX)
  • Private insurance for application gap
  • Home country tax obligations
Phase 4
Post-arrival
  • DIMEX biometrics appointment
  • Register at EBAIS clinic
  • Driving licence check
  • Local SIM card
  • Renew DIMEX before expiry (start 60 days before)
Mandatory enrollment · CAJA (CCSS)

CAJA enrollment is the gate between
approval and your DIMEX card.

Costa Rica's DGME will not issue your residency card (DIMEX) until you prove active CAJA enrollment and payment. This catches many expats off guard — your residency is technically approved, but without CAJA you can't get the card, can't open a resident bank account, and can't legally work. Relokato sequences CAJA enrollment at the right moment and tracks your payment status so the DIMEX appointment doesn't stall.

Mandatory for all residents~7–11% of declared incomeNo DIMEX without itCoverage starts immediately
Where you'll land

The four areas
most movers choose.

Escazú
Infrastructure & families
Costa Rica's most established expat area. Highest concentration of international schools, 15 minutes to CIMA hospital, best shopping infrastructure. Also the most expensive.
Santa Ana
Value Central Valley
Same hospital and school access as Escazú at 15–20% lower cost. More original Costa Rican town-centre character. Growing rapidly.
Atenas
Climate & retirees
Widely cited for one of the mildest year-round climates in the country. Large English-speaking retiree community. ~40 minutes to the nearest full hospital.
Tamarindo
Beach & digital nomads
Pacific beach town with coworking spaces and fiber internet. 1 hour to Liberia airport with direct US flights. Prices spike 30–50% above Central Valley.
Common questions

Things people ask
before they commit.

Rentista vs Pensionado vs Digital Nomad — which fits me?
Rentista if you have $2,500/mo in passive income and want permanent residency. Pensionado if you have a $1,000/mo lifetime pension. Digital Nomad if you earn $3,000/mo from remote work and want a faster, simpler process — but it caps at 2 years with no residency path.
How long does the process actually take?
Digital Nomad visa: ~15 business days officially, 3–6 months in practice. Rentista and Pensionado: 9–18 months is common due to DGME backlog. Most applicants manage the wait on 90-day tourist stamps with periodic border exits.
Do I have to enroll in CAJA?
Yes — it's mandatory for all residents. Your DIMEX card will not be issued without proof of active CAJA enrollment and payment. Many expats maintain both CAJA (mandatory) and private insurance (for faster non-emergency care).
Is my foreign income taxed in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system — income sourced outside Costa Rica is generally not taxed locally. Your home country's tax obligations still apply. Consult a tax advisor who knows both jurisdictions.
Can I bring my family?
Yes — spouse and dependents can be included in Rentista and Pensionado applications. Digital Nomad visa allows spouse, children under 25, and children with disabilities at the $4,000/month income level.
Ready for
Costa Rica?
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