Law 9996 · Updated June 2026
The definitive 2026 guide to securing Costa Rican residency through a qualifying investment — from legal framework to DIMEX card in hand.
The Legal Framework
Costa Rica's investor residency program, codified under Law 9996, grants a two-year renewable residency permit to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment of at least USD $150,000 in a Costa Rican asset. The threshold was reduced from $200,000 to $150,000 in 2024, significantly expanding the pool of eligible investors.
Unlike the "golden visas" of Portugal or Greece, Costa Rica's program is administered through the country's standard immigration framework — the Directorate General of Migration and Immigration (DGME) — with no quotas, no lotteries, and no minimum stay beyond a single day per year.
The result is one of the world's most accessible residency-by-investment programs: low threshold, flexible presence requirements, a stable democratic host country, and a territorial tax system that leaves foreign-sourced income completely untaxed.
Four Qualifying Routes
Law 9996 recognises four qualifying investment categories. Each has different minimum thresholds, risk profiles, and liquidity characteristics.
Purchase residential or commercial property registered in your personal name. This is the most popular route — Costa Rica's property rights for foreigners are constitutionally guaranteed.
Learn moreInvest in shares of a Costa Rican corporation. Qualifying businesses span sectors including tourism, agribusiness, technology, and services.
Learn moreThe lowest threshold of any route. Invest in reforestation or carbon-credit certified forestry projects — a growing sector backed by international ESG demand.
Learn moreGovernment-designated projects in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and infrastructure. Thresholds and terms are project-specific.
Learn moreStep by Step
Choose and execute a qualifying investment — real estate purchase, company share subscription, or forestry certificate. Your GVCR advisor identifies compliant opportunities and manages due diligence.
Gather apostilled documents: passport, birth certificate, police clearance, marriage certificate (if applicable), and proof of investment. All must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Your legal representative submits the complete dossier to Costa Rica's Directorate General of Migration and Immigration (DGME). A receipt date establishes your residency start.
The DGME reviews your application, may request additional documents (prevenciones), and schedules a biometric appointment at their San José office.
Upon approval you receive your Cédula de Residencia (DIMEX card) — your Costa Rican residency ID. This opens banking, driver's licences, national health system access, and business registration.
Temporary residency is renewed every two years. After three years of continuous approved residency you may apply for permanent residency — with no minimum stay requirement added.
Why It Matters
Foreign-sourced income — dividends, capital gains, rental income earned abroad — is 100% exempt from Costa Rican tax.
The most flexible residency maintenance rule of any golden visa program globally. Visit for a single day each year to maintain status.
After 7 years (3 temporary + 5 permanent, minus any waiting periods) you may apply for Costa Rican nationality and a powerful blue passport.
Foreign nationals hold the same property rights as citizens. Your real estate is protected at the constitutional level.
Spouse and dependent children under 18 (or under 25 if enrolled in full-time education) are included in your application at no additional filing cost.
With complete documentation, DGME processing currently runs 4–9 months — materially faster than comparable programs in Europe.
The Costa Rica golden visa grants legal residency — the right to live, work, and build a life in Costa Rica. It does not immediately grant Costa Rican citizenship or a passport.
Citizenship is available after naturalisation: typically 7 years of continuous approved residency (3 years temporary + 5 years permanent, accounting for the transition period), a Spanish language test, and a civic knowledge exam. The Costa Rican passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 150+ destinations.
For most investors, residency is all they need: full work authorisation, banking access, driving licence, enrollment in the national health system (CCSS), and the ability to sponsor further family members — without surrendering existing nationality in most cases.
FAQ
Residency only — not citizenship. You receive a DIMEX residency card granting the legal right to live and work in Costa Rica. Costa Rican citizenship (and passport) is available after approximately 7 years, subject to naturalisation requirements.
Yes. The investor residency category grants full work authorisation in Costa Rica from the date of approval, unlike some other residency categories that restrict employment.
No. While the application documents must be translated into Spanish, you do not need to demonstrate Spanish language proficiency. GVCR coordinates all certified translations as part of the service.
The investment property must be registered in your personal name (or in a holding company in which you hold at least 50% of the shares). Investments held through third-party corporations do not qualify.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children qualify as co-applicants at no additional government filing fee. Each family member receives their own DIMEX card.
No. The $150,000 (or $100,000 for forestry) is the minimum qualifying investment amount that must flow into the Costa Rican asset. Advisory, legal, and government fees are separate. See our Pricing page for full cost transparency.
You must maintain the qualifying investment for the duration of your temporary residency period. Selling before renewal may jeopardise your status. Our advisors structure transactions to protect your residency continuity.
Costa Rica offers a lower investment minimum than Portugal (€500K+ in most funds), a longer path to citizenship (7 years vs 5), but a dramatically lower cost of living, zero minimum stay, and far lower competition for the best investment assets. See our full comparison.
Begin Your Journey
Whether you're ready to apply or still in the research phase, our senior advisors are available for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We'll assess your eligibility, answer your questions, and outline the most efficient path to your Costa Rican residency.
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