Permanent Residence
after 3 years' temporary residence or by first-degree link to a Costa Rican
Ley 8764 (Art. 78) and the Reglamento de Extranjería (Art. 72) allow permanent residence for foreigners who have held temporary residence for three consecutive years, and for first-degree blood relatives of Costa Rican citizens. Permanent residents may work in any paid activity.
Life in Costa Rica
Money
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
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Temporary residents (e.g. rentistas, pensionados, investors) with three consecutive years of residence, and parents, minor children or minor siblings (or adult ones with disabilities) of Costa Rican citizens.
Eligibility
Three years' temporary residenceChange of category
You need to have held temporary residence for three consecutive years, as the foreigner, their spouse or a first-degree blood relative.
- Applies to a change of category
Official wording
The foreigner, their spouse and first-degree blood relatives who have held temporary residence for three consecutive years.
First-degree link to a Costa RicanFamily of Costa Ricans
Parents, minor children or adult children with disabilities, and minor siblings or adult siblings with disabilities of a Costa Rican citizen.
Spouse of a Costa RicanSpouses
Show you are a temporary resident spouse who proved cohabitation year by year and renewed for three years.
- Cohabitation must be proven each year
- Three years of renewals are required
- Legal reference: Art. 284
Official wording
A temporary resident spouse who has proven cohabitation year by year and renewed for three years may request permanent residence (Art. 284).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementRefugees and stateless persons
- Document checklistWritten request for change of category
- FeesChange of category payment (Arts. 89 and 125, Ley 8764)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 5 documents
- 3 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Costa Rica
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Costa Rica
- Visit & tourismVisiting Costa Rica
- Status in-countryTemporary Residence – Pensionado
- Investors & entrepreneursEstancia – Trabajador o Prestador Remoto de Servicios
- Status in-countryTemporary Residence – Rentista
- Investors & entrepreneursTemporary Residence – Inversionista
