BEYOND INTERNET PROMISES
Fast residency, low taxes, cheap living. We checked what's behind the promises of Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador and other "easy" countries, and why Costa Rica remains the more solid choice for a family.
Remote Workers and Providers of International Services under the visa.
Stay for a Definite Period, More than 90 days and up to 2 years, Extendable
Regularize Immigration Situations that, by their Nature, Require Different Treatment
It may only be requested by people who have resided in Costa Rica for 3 years.
Let’s be honest — moving to Costa Rica sounds like a dream. But the truth behind the relocation hype is that success requires local knowledge.
Over the last 20 years, I have navigated the exact legal, financial, and cultural steps you are facing right now. OpenZone was created to filter out the noise/misinformation and protect your investment. We don’t offer generic advice; we provide targeted solutions for your unique immigration and relocation journey.
Aurelia Iuliana Ganea
With our Complete Costa Rica Relocation Guide, you’ll learn everything you need to relocate with confidence.
Yes, but only for a short period. If you come from most EU countries, you can stay up to 180 days without a visa. After that, you have to make a decision: leave, return (a.k.a. “border run” which I don’t recommend) or apply for residency.
Not a classic visa, but you need a legal status: temporary residency, permanent residency or other, depending on the case (pensioner, investor, spouse, etc.). Costa Rica has +35 residency categories. The process is bureaucratic and slow, but not impossible.
No, unless you have a work permit or a form of residency that allows it. Tourists are not legally allowed to work — either illegally or legally. If you want to do remote freelancing, that’s another story.
It depends on where and how you live. In tourist areas or capitals it costs more. In rural or lesser-known areas, it is more affordable. Life can range from “cheap and modest” to “expensive like in the West”, depending on your choices.
There is a public system (Caja) and a private system. Caja is slow but functional. Private is fast and efficient, but expensive. Many expats combine both. Private health insurance is recommended, especially at the beginning.
Yes, but there are rules. You have to have a pet passport, up-to-date vaccinations, a health certificate, and follow the import procedure. It can be done, just don’t leave everything to the last few hundred meters.
Ideally, see for yourself before you sign anything. The real estate market is full of pitfalls, inflated “gringo” prices, and contracts that need to be checked. That’s where our relocation tour comes in — to see exactly where and what suits you.
Each type of residency has its own list, but in general you need: criminal record, birth certificate, marriage certificate where applicable, plus apostilles and translations. Your lawyer can guide you clearly.
In general, yes. But it’s not perfect. There are petty thefts, especially in tourist areas. Otherwise, if you are careful, respectful and don’t show off valuables, life is peaceful. Important: don’t idealize, get informed!
It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on how quickly you gather your documents and submit your application, how busy the system is, and what type of residency you choose. Patience is a superpower here. Nothing happens quickly.
After you submit your application to Migración, you receive an acknowledgment of receipt (comprobante) from your file, which allows you to, which allows you to remain legally in the country while it is processed.
Simple: you come on a personalized relocation tour. You see neighborhoods, supermarkets, hospitals, we talk to a lawyer, we go to the Hacienda (Costa Rica’s Ministry of Finance), see what the traffic is like, which bank stresses you out the least, and you decide if you want to continue your life here — or not.