Living in Costa Rica
Rent, health cover and ways to get residency for a foreign retiree in Costa Rica, checked 2026-09-26.
Rent for a one-bedroom flat
| City | Centre | Outside centre |
|---|
| San José | CRC 428,974 | CRC 345,762 |
Beach towns popular with foreigners, such as Tamarindo, often rent for more than the capital.
Healthcare
Residents must join the public Caja (CCSS), paying a share of the income they declared for residency. Many also buy private cover for shorter waits.
- Caja, on a US$2,500 rentista income: $200 a month
Residency routes
- Rentista (Living off savings): US$2,500 a month guaranteed for two years, often shown as a US$60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank.
- Pensionado (Retirees with a pension): A lifetime pension of US$1,000 a month.
- Digital nomad visa (Remote workers): US$3,000 a month from foreign work (US$4,000 with family). One year, renewable once; foreign income is not taxed.
Tax on a portfolio
- Territorial: foreign dividends, interest and capital gains are not taxed.
- A bill filed on 22 September 2026 (No. 25.796) would tax foreign investment income, including capital gains, at 15%. It is not law.
- Salary tax is withheld monthly; the monthly scale is applied to a twelfth of the salary.
When can you retire? · Where to retire