Moving to Costa Rica
A stable, no-army democracy with universal healthcare, a genuine retiree route, and prices that are no longer as low as the brochures say.
Costa Rica has been selling itself to North American retirees since the 1980s and it has the infrastructure to prove it: English-speaking doctors, established expatriate towns, direct flights, and a residency category built specifically for people living on a pension.
The substance behind the marketing is real. The country abolished its army in 1948 and spent the money on health and education, which is why a middle-income Central American country has life expectancy above the United States. Residents join the public health system, the CAJA, and it covers essentially everything.
What has changed is the price. Costa Rica is now the most expensive country in Central America, its currency has been strong against the dollar, and the popular coastal areas cost more than parts of the American south. It is still a good move; it is no longer a cheap one.
| Region | Central America |
| Capital | San Jose |
| Population | 5.2 million |
| Foreign-born residents | about 10% of residents |
| Official language(s) | Spanish |
| Currency | Costa Rican colon (CRC); US dollars widely used |
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Why people move to Costa Rica
- A dedicated pension route, the pensionado, needing only a modest guaranteed monthly income.
- Universal public healthcare that residents must and do join, with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
- Political stability that is exceptional for the region, with no army since 1948.
- Permanent residency after three years, and dual citizenship is permitted.
- Foreign income is not taxed — Costa Rica taxes territorially, on income sourced in the country.
- Established English-speaking expatriate communities, so the first year does not require fluent Spanish.
What to know before you commit
- The most expensive country in Central America, and coastal expatriate towns are priced in dollars.
- CAJA membership is compulsory for residents and is charged as a percentage of your declared income.
- Temporary residents may not work as employees; you can own a business but not take a local job.
- Bureaucracy is slow, and residency applications routinely take many months to over a year.
- Citizenship takes seven years for most nationalities and requires Spanish and civics exams.
- Roads, driving conditions and the rainy season are harder on daily life than visitors expect.
The eight guides
Work Visas
How to get a work permit and which routes actually exist
Student Visas
Studying there, and whether study leads to residency
Family & Spouse Visas
Sponsoring a partner, children, or parents
Permanent Residency
The routes to a long-term, renewable status
Citizenship
Naturalisation timelines, tests, and dual nationality
Cost of Living
What a month actually costs, with rent and salary context
Healthcare
Who is covered, from what date, and what insurance you need
Finding a Job
The job market, in-demand fields, and how hiring works
Official sources
- Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria
- Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
- Costa Rican consulates and visa information
Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.