The Costa Rica digital nomad visa lets remote workers live in Costa Rica for a year, renew once, and keep a clear tax position because the country taxes only income earned inside its borders. It is built on Law 10008, the law to attract international remote workers and service providers, and it comes with a few real perks: income tax exemption on your qualifying income, import duty relief on work equipment, and the right to open a local bank account. This guide covers the requirements, fees, how to apply, taxes, health coverage, regions and your options after the visa ends.
Last checked against official sources in October 2026.
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Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The Costa Rica digital nomad visa is officially a stay for remote workers and international service providers. The requirements, per the Costa Rica Tourism Board and the text of Law 10008, are:
- Remote work for clients or employers outside Costa Rica. You cannot do paid work for local clients on this stay.
- Income of at least US$3,000 per month from outside Costa Rica, shown as stable monthly pay or an average over the last year.
- US$4,000 per month if you bring dependents. The family threshold is combined income, not per person.
- Medical insurance valid for your entire authorized stay, with at least US$50,000 in coverage. Every dependent must also be covered. The policy can come from an international insurer or a Costa Rican insurer regulated by the national superintendent.
Amounts are converted at the Central Bank of Costa Rica’s official rate. Our travel insurance guide and expat health insurance guide compare policies that fit the coverage rule.
Fees, Documents and Timeline for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
The official government payment for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa is US$100 per applicant, or the colón equivalent at the Central Bank rate. Each dependent needs their own payment in their own name. Bank fees, including a US$15 charge by the receiving bank, must not reduce what the Ministry of Finance receives, so send enough for the full US$100 to arrive.
The Costa Rica Tourism Board lists these documents:
- A signed application form
- A copy of your passport photo page, plus the entry stamp page if you are already in the country
- Any consular visa your nationality requires
- Bank statements covering the last year, with a sworn affidavit that you requested them from the bank, or a certification from a public accountant or notary (apostilled or legalized if issued abroad)
- Official Spanish translations of any documents in other languages
- Proof of your medical insurance and of the fee payment
For families, add birth or marriage records with translations. Immigration may also run a security review of criminal and police records.
On timing, provider guides say the immigration directorate has 15 calendar days to decide a complete file. Gathering apostilled documents is usually what slows people down, so start there.
How to Apply for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
You apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa through the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME), either online through its Trámite Ya platform at tramiteya.go.cr/dgme or in person at a DGME office using the physical form. You do not need a lawyer, although some applicants hire one for translation and apostille work. Providers also report that you register biometrics at the San José immigration office within a few months of arrival to get your DIMEX ID card.
Duration, Renewal and Rules of the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
The Costa Rica digital nomad visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for one additional year, so two years is the maximum. Under Law 10008, you must spend at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the original year to qualify for the extension.
The law also sets a few rules for Costa Rica digital nomad visa holders:
- No local paid work. You may not perform paid labor in Costa Rica outside what the category allows.
- Driving. A valid driver’s license from your home country is valid for driving in Costa Rica during your stay.
- Banking. You can open savings accounts in the national banking system, subject to anti-money-laundering checks.
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Tax Perks
There are two layers here: what the visa gives you, and what Costa Rica’s tax system does anyway.
The visa perks. Law 10008 grants a total exemption from the Costa Rican tax on profits for the income that qualifies you. The exemption does not extend to family members. It also exempts you from import taxes on basic computer and telecommunications equipment needed for remote work, with proportionality criteria set by customs. The law text does not explicitly mention sales tax, so do not budget on a VAT break.
The system. Costa Rica taxes income from Costa Rican sources, according to PwC’s tax summaries, and an individual becomes a tax resident after more than 183 days in the country in a fiscal period. For most nomads with foreign clients, that means the Costa Rican income tax is not the issue. Check how recent changes treat foreign passive income if you have investments, and read our 183-day rule explainer.
US citizens. The IRS taxes worldwide income, so the visa does not remove US filing. The foreign earned income exclusion can reduce federal income tax, and the foreign tax credit rarely helps when you pay no local tax. See FEIE vs foreign tax credit and the FBAR guide.
Healthcare on the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: CAJA and Private Insurance
CAJA is Costa Rica’s public social security and health system. One 2026 guide says legal residents are generally required to enroll, at roughly 7% to 11% of declared income, but lists nomad visa holders as not eligible, which is why the visa requires private coverage instead. Public hospital emergency rooms treat everyone regardless of insurance status, and 911 works nationwide.
If you later move to a residency category, expect CAJA to become part of the picture. Confirm the current rule with CAJA or an attorney.
Cost of Living and Banking
Budget before you apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa. Our country data puts a one-bedroom apartment at about US$903 per month in the city center and about US$704 outside it, with average internet speeds near 45 Mbps, slower than much of Europe and Asia. Check connection quality for each address before signing a lease, and ask landlords about backup options.
For banking, the law gives you the right to open savings accounts, but banks apply their own anti-money-laundering requirements, so bring your visa document, passport and proof of income. A multi-currency account such as those in our bank accounts guide is useful for receiving foreign income.
Where to Live on the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Central Valley. The area around San José, including cities such as Escazú, Heredia and Alajuela, has the best hospitals, the international airport, and the most reliable infrastructure, at a cooler elevation than the coast.
Guanacaste. The northwest Pacific coast, home to beach towns such as Tamarindo, offers the classic surf-and-sun lifestyle with a well-established foreign community. Internet quality varies by town.
Caribbean coast. Towns such as Puerto Viejo and Cahuita have a laid-back, more local feel and a different seasonal pattern from the Pacific side. Infrastructure is thinner, so confirm connectivity before you commit.
All three work with the visa, because the stay is not tied to a region. Many nomads rent for a month in each before choosing.
How to Stay Beyond the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
The Costa Rica digital nomad visa does not itself lead to residency, and provider guides say the stay does not convert automatically. The main residency routes are:
| Route | Typical requirement (March 2026 guide) |
|---|---|
| Rentista | About US$2,500 per month guaranteed for 24 months, or a US$60,000 deposit |
| Pensionado | At least US$1,000 per month in guaranteed lifetime pension |
| Inversionista | At least US$150,000 invested in Costa Rica |
These come from a secondary guide and thresholds can change, so confirm them with the immigration directorate. Residents also join CAJA. If you only want more time, a tourist stay is 90 days, per the Costa Rica Tourism Board, but it does not allow the same banking and tax perks.
Is the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Worth It?
The Costa Rica digital nomad visa works best for remote workers who earn above US$3,000 a month, want a tropical base with a straightforward tax position, and are happy with a two-year horizon. It is a poorer fit if you need fast internet in remote areas, want a direct path to residency, or plan to serve Costa Rican clients. Compare it with other options in our Latin America visa roundup before you book flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much income do I need for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
You need at least US$3,000 per month from outside Costa Rica. If you bring dependents, the combined threshold is US$4,000 per month.
How long does the Costa Rica digital nomad visa last?
It is valid for one year and can be renewed once for another year. The extension requires at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year.
Do I pay Costa Rican income tax on foreign income?
Costa Rica taxes income from Costa Rican sources, and the visa also exempts your qualifying income. Your home country may still tax you, and US citizens are taxed on worldwide income.
Can I drive in Costa Rica on the nomad visa?
Yes. Law 10008 says a valid driver’s license from your home country is valid for driving during your stay.
Does the Costa Rica digital nomad visa lead to residency?
Not directly. You would need to apply for a residency category such as Rentista, Pensionado or Inversionista.
Also read: Best Digital Nomad Visa Latin America 2026 | Digital Nomad Taxes for Americans 2026 | Costa Rica country page | Best Bank Accounts for Digital Nomads 2026
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