Moving to Costa Rica

Moving Guide

Visa & Residence

Navigating the visa and residence process for Costa Rica depends significantly on your nationality. Citizens of many countries, including most EU nations, Canada, and the United States, typically receive a tourist visa upon arrival, valid for up to 90 days. This allows time to explore and initiate the residence process. For non-EU citizens or those from countries without specific agreements, a pre-arranged visa might be necessary.

Common routes to obtaining residence include:

• Work Permit: Requires a job offer from a Costa Rican company that sponsors your application.
• Family Reunification: If you have a spouse, child, or parent who is a Costa Rican citizen or legal resident.
• Student Visa: For those enrolled in recognized educational institutions in Costa Rica.
• Residence Permit (Pensionado/Rentista): These categories are popular for retirees or those with stable passive income. They require proof of a minimum monthly income from a pension or investments, respectively.

It is crucial to verify the most current requirements and procedures directly with the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate in your home country, or with the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) once you are in Costa Rica. Regulations can change, and official sources provide the most accurate information.

Housing & Rental

Finding housing in Costa Rica can be done through various channels. Online portals and social media groups dedicated to rentals are popular. Local real estate agents, especially those specializing in expat services, can be invaluable for navigating the market and understanding local customs. Word-of-mouth within expat communities is also a common way to discover available properties.

The typical rental process involves:

• Viewing Properties: It's highly recommended to view properties in person before committing.
• Lease Agreement: Most leases are in Spanish, so having a trusted translator or bilingual agent review it is advisable. Lease terms are usually for one year, renewable.
• Security Deposit: A security deposit equivalent to one month's rent is standard. This is refundable at the end of the lease, provided the property is returned in good condition.
• First Month's Rent: Paid upfront along with the security deposit.

Consider temporary housing upon arrival, such as an Airbnb or short-term rental, to give yourself time to explore different neighborhoods and find a long-term solution that fits your needs and budget. This also allows for an easier transition without the pressure of immediately signing a long-term lease.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of your relocation to Costa Rica is influenced by several key factors. The volume and weight of your belongings are primary determinants; the more you ship, the higher the cost. The distance from your origin country to Costa Rica also plays a significant role, with longer distances generally incurring higher shipping fees.

The season of your move can affect pricing, as peak moving seasons or times with higher demand for shipping might lead to increased costs. Access to your current and new residences can also impact the price; for example, if there are difficulties with truck access, stairs, or long carries, additional labor or specialized equipment may be required.

Finally, any extra services you opt for will add to the overall cost. These can include professional packing and unpacking services, specialized handling for fragile or valuable items, storage solutions, or insurance coverage. For a precise understanding of your specific relocation costs, it is always best to request a free, no-obligation quote.

Timeline & Packing Tips

A well-organized timeline is essential for a smooth relocation. Here's a general checklist for 4-8 weeks out:

• 8 Weeks Out:
  • Begin decluttering: Decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. This significantly reduces shipping costs.
  • Research visa and residence requirements thoroughly.
  • Obtain multiple quotes from reputable relocation services.
  • Start gathering important documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses, medical records, school transcripts, financial statements).
• 6 Weeks Out:
  • Confirm your relocation service and schedule your packing/pickup dates.
  • Notify your landlord (if renting) or begin preparing your home for sale.
  • Research schools, healthcare providers, and temporary housing options in Costa Rica.
  • Start packing non-essentials.
• 4 Weeks Out:
  • Arrange for utility disconnections (electricity, water, internet, phone) at your current home.
  • Notify banks, credit card companies, and subscription services of your upcoming move.
  • Forward your mail to a temporary address or a trusted contact.
  • Begin packing more extensively, labeling boxes clearly with contents and destination room.
• 2 Weeks Out:
  • Confirm travel arrangements to Costa Rica.
  • Pack a "first-night" box with essentials you'll need immediately upon arrival (toiletries, medications, important documents, change of clothes).
  • Ensure all necessary documents for entry and residence application are easily accessible.
• Packing Tips:
  • Declutter Ruthlessly: Less to move means less cost and less stress.
  • Inventory Everything: Create a detailed list of all packed items for insurance and customs purposes.
  • Protect Valuables: Consider specialized packing for fragile items or transport them personally if possible.
  • Label Clearly: Indicate contents, room, and "fragile" or "do not open" where applicable.
  • Keep Important Documents with You: Never pack passports, visas, or critical paperwork in shipping containers.

For a personalized estimate of your relocation costs to Costa Rica, request a free quote on relocation123.com.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

Get help with your move →

Customs & Import Rules

Your Essential Guide to Customs & Imports When Moving to Costa Rica

Navigating customs and import regulations for your belongings can seem complex when moving to a new country. This guide simplifies the process for your relocation to Costa Rica, ensuring a smoother transition for you and your possessions.

If you're relocating as a new resident

Foreigners moving to Costa Rica will generally need to pay import duties on their household goods. The specific documentation required will depend on your immigration status.

What you'll need

• Original or copy of your passport (front page).
• Rated original Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or "Carta de Porte."
• Packing List or inventory.
• Spanish translation of your packing list (as per Customs’ law RGLA, Art. 317).
• Detailed packing list indicating brand, serial number, and model for all electric appliances and electronics.
• A probative document (no more than six months old) related to your importer category, such as:
  • Work Permit issued by the General Immigration and Alienage General Direction, or a copy of the permit request with Immigration and Foreign Service, plus a copy of your labor agreement from the contracting company.
  • Valid Residence ID if you have been granted permanent resident status.
• Property registration certificate for property acquired in Costa Rica, or a lawyer-authenticated copy of your lease or rent agreement in Costa Rica.

Good to know

• All customers must pay duties and taxes on imported goods.
• Customs clearance typically takes about 22 working days once your shipment reaches the bonded warehouse in San José.
• A physical inspection is mandatory to verify quantities and weights against shipping documents.
• Ensure the number of pieces and weight on your Bill of Lading match the actual shipment to avoid a $500 fine and a 4-6 week delay.

Returning Costa Rican residents

Costa Rican citizens returning after living abroad for a minimum of six months may be eligible for partial tax exemption on household goods. This exemption applies to one item per type (e.g., one microwave, one washing machine, one bed).

What you'll need

• Original or copy of your ID.
• Rated original Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or "Carta de Porte."
• Packing List or inventory.
• Spanish translation of your packing list (as per Customs’ law RGLA, Art. 317).
• Detailed packing list indicating brand, serial number, and model for all electric appliances and electronics.
• A probative document (no more than six months old) related to your importer category, such as:
  • Consular Certification of Residency Abroad or a supplementary document (house rental, lease, or purchase agreement) proving your place of residence and time spent abroad (at least 6 months). This applies to students or legal age workers returning.
  • Consular Certification of Resident Abroad or supplementary document (rent, lease, or purchase housing agreement) proving your place of residency and time spent abroad, if you were a permanent resident outside the country for at least 6 months.
• A certification from the Costa Rican consulate in your origin country, indicating the number of years you lived abroad, to apply for partial tax exemption.

Good to know

• You must have lived abroad for at least 6 months to apply for partial tax exemption.
• Other formalities for this status must be completed in Costa Rica.
• If you are a Costa Rican resident who has not lived outside Costa Rica for longer than 12 months, you cannot import household goods.

Diplomatic moves

Diplomats are granted duty-free entry for their removals.

What you'll need

• Copy of your passport (front page) and diplomatic ID.
• Rated original Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or "Carta de Porte."
• Packing List or inventory.
• Spanish translation of your packing list (as per Customs’ law RGLA, Art. 317).
• Detailed packing list indicating brand, serial number, and model for all electric appliances and electronics.
• Tax exemption documentation.

Good to know

• The shipper must be registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The tax exemption process must be handled directly by the shipper’s entity.
• Import of wine and alcohol is permitted, with quantities depending on the annual allowance agreed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your Embassy. Your Embassy must check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for specific limits.

Moving after marriage (Wedding Trousseaux)

Belongings considered "wedding trousseaux" are subject to taxes.

What you'll need

• Copy of your passport (front page) or Costa Rican ID.
• Rated original Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or "Carta de Porte."
• Original commercial invoices.
• Spanish translation of the invoice (as per Customs’ law RGLA, Art. 317).

Inherited belongings

Inherited items are subject to taxes.

What you'll need

• Copy of your passport (front page) or Costa Rican ID.
• Rated original Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or "Carta de Porte."
• Original commercial invoices.
• Spanish translation of the invoice (as per Customs’ law RGLA, Art. 317).

Bringing special items

Vehicles

Vehicles are subject to taxes. Additional documents for the import process must be presented in Costa Rica. Vehicles cannot have been declared as "Total Loss" in their origin country.

• Copy of your passport (front page) or Costa Rican ID.
• Rated original Bill of Lading or "Carta de Porte."
• Original Vehicle Property Deed or Original Circulation Permit.
• Original purchase invoice or purchase agreement.
• Subject to DEKRA permits.

Pets

Domestic pets (cats and dogs) are subject to taxes and mandatory quarantine. Documentation is required before the animal's arrival.

• Copy of your passport (front page) or Costa Rican ID.
• Rated original Air Waybill.
• Permits from the National Animal Health Service.
• Health Certificate.
• Up-to-date vaccination cards.
• Invoice or affidavit indicating the animal’s value and characteristics.
• Exportation veterinary health certificate.

Restricted & prohibited items

Certain items are either restricted and require special permits, or are completely prohibited from import.

• Wooden goods (furniture, ornaments): Subject to taxes. Wicker and rattan baskets or products made solely of these materials are not allowed (furniture made with wicker and rattan is permitted). Wooden ornaments and hangers are not allowed. Wooden crates require permits from the Ministry of Agriculture and must comply with ISPM-15 guidelines for wood packaging material.
• New Furniture and Household Goods, Works of Art & Antiques (More than 100 years), Machines, appliances, spare parts: Subject to taxes. Require passport/ID, Bill of Lading, original commercial invoices, and Spanish translation of invoices.
• Tins and Food, Medicines, narcotics, drugs, soaps, perfumes, shampoo, creams, cosmetics, and other personal hygiene articles: Subject to taxes. Require passport/ID, Bill of Lading, original commercial invoices, Spanish translation of invoices, and permits from the Ministry of Health.
• Plants: Subject to taxes. Require passport/ID, Bill of Lading, original commercial invoices, Spanish translation of invoices, and permits from the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning: Subject to taxes. Require passport/ID, Bill of Lading, original commercial invoices, Spanish translation of invoices, and permits from the Ministry of ECA.
• Prohibited items: Arms, ammunitions, dangerous objects, pornographic material, subversive material, drugs, and items not considered part of normal household goods.

Alcohol & tobacco

Wine and alcohol are subject to taxes. They are prohibited for air and Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments. For Full Container Load (FCL) shipments, a maximum of 5 liters is permitted. Permits from the Ministry of Health are required.

• Copy of your passport (front page) or Costa Rican ID.
• Rated original Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, or "Carta de Porte."
• Original commercial invoices.
• Spanish translation of the invoice (as per Customs’ law RGLA, Art. 317).

Frequently asked questions

How long does customs clearance take?
Customs clearance typically takes approximately 22 working days once your shipment arrives at the bonded warehouse in San José.

Will my goods be inspected?
Yes, a physical inspection is mandatory to verify that the quantities and weights declared on your shipping documents match the actual items.

What happens if my shipping documents don't match the actual shipment?
If the number of pieces and weight on your Bill of Lading do not match the real shipment, Customs will apply a fine of $500, and there will be a delay in the customs process of 4 to 6 weeks.

Can I get a tax exemption on my household goods?
Foreigners typically pay import duties. Returning Costa Rican citizens who have lived abroad for at least 6 months may apply for partial tax exemption on one item per type, provided they have a certification from the Costa Rican consulate in their origin country.

Are there any items I absolutely cannot bring into Costa Rica?
Yes, arms, ammunition, dangerous objects, pornographic material, subversive material, drugs, and items not considered part of normal household goods are prohibited.

Do I need special permits for certain items?
Yes, items like wooden crates, food, medicines, plants, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning, and alcohol require specific permits from relevant ministries (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of ECA).

For personalized assistance with your move to Costa Rica, please contact relocation123.com.

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