Costa Rican nationality by naturalisation
Official name: Costarricense por naturalización (Constitución Política, arts. 14-15)
Under the Constitution, foreigners can apply to the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) for naturalisation after official residence of at least 5 years for nationals of other Central American countries, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth, or 7 years for everyone else. Spouses of Costa Ricans can apply after 2 years of marriage and 2 years of residence. Applicants show good conduct and a known occupation or means of living, speak, read and write Spanish, pass an exam on Costa Rica's history and values, promise to reside regularly in Costa Rica and swear to respect the constitutional order.
Life in Costa Rica
Finance
3
Currency
Costa Rican Colón
CRC
Costa Rican Colón
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–25%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 13%
Salary scale 2026: monthly salary up to CRC 918,000 exempt; 25% on the excess over CRC 4,727,000 a month. Self-employed have a separate annual scale.
Living
1
Happiness
#4 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Long-term official residents of Costa Rica and spouses of Costa Ricans.
Eligibility
5 years of official residenceCentral Americans, Spaniards, Ibero-Americans by birth
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need at least 5 years of official residence in Costa Rica and must meet the other legal requirements.
5 years
Residence needed
- Applies to nationals of other Central American countries
- Also applies to Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth
Official wording
Nationals of other Central American countries, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth who have officially resided in Costa Rica for at least 5 years and meet the other legal requirements.
7 years of official residenceOther foreigners
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need at least 7 years of official residence in Costa Rica.
7 years
Residence needed
- Applies to everyone not covered by the 5-year route
- Includes Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans who are not so by birth
Official wording
Everyone else (including Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans who are not so by birth) after at least 7 years of official residence.
Spouses of Costa RicansSpouses
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need to have been married to a Costa Rican and lived in the country for 2 years, then state your wish to become Costa Rican.
Time needed
- Marriage to a Costa Rican
- 2 years
- Residence in Costa Ricasame period
- 2 years
Official wording
Foreigners who, after being married to a Costa Rican for 2 years and residing in the country for that same period, state their wish to become Costa Rican.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 1 more requirement
- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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