Digital Nomad Visa for Costa Rica (2026)

Costa Rica offers the Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital) for remote workers. Launched in 2022. Here's everything you need to know about requirements, income thresholds, tax implications, and how to apply.

Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital) — Key Facts

Income Requirement

USD 3,000/month

$36,000/year; or $4,000/month for families

Duration

1 year, renewable once

Renewable once for a second year (2 years total max)

Application Cost

$100 application fee + $50 per dependent

Processing Time

15–30 days

Path to Residency

DN visa time doesn't directly count; separate residency application needed

Path to Citizenship

After 7 years of legal residency

Requirements & Documents

  • Valid passport with 6+ months validity
  • Proof of remote work for non-Costa Rican employer or clients
  • Monthly income ≥$3,000 (or $4,000 for families)
  • Health insurance covering Costa Rica (can be CAJA enrollment)
  • Clean criminal record
  • Application form and supporting documents
Health insurance is required for this visa

Tax Implications in Costa Rica

Tax Summary

DN visa holders exempt from Costa Rican income tax on foreign-source income

Costa Rica's digital nomad visa exempts holders from local income tax on foreign-source income. Costa Rica operates a territorial tax system — only Costa Rican-source income is taxed. Since DN visa holders work for non-Costa Rican employers, their income is considered foreign-source and untaxed. Import duty exemptions on personal items also apply.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • +No income tax on foreign-source income (territorial tax system)
  • +Beautiful nature — beaches, rainforests, volcanoes
  • +Stable democracy with high quality of life ('Pura Vida')
  • +Growing expat community
  • +Good healthcare system
  • +Eco-friendly culture

Cons

  • -Relatively high income requirement ($3,000/month)
  • -Higher cost of living than other Latin American DN destinations
  • -Internet can be unreliable in rural areas
  • -Rainy season (May–November) can be challenging
  • -Limited to 2 years total
Official government visa page
SafetyWing

Working remotely abroad?

Partner

Get global health coverage across 180+ countries with SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — designed for digital nomads and remote workers.

Learn MoreFrom $62.72/4 weeks
Wise

Getting paid in USD?

Partner

Save on international transfers with Wise. Real exchange rate, low transparent fees — no surprises on your USD payments.

Check Rates

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay taxes in Costa Rica on the digital nomad visa?
No, Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system and the DN visa specifically exempts foreign-source remote work income from local taxation. You only pay Costa Rican tax on income sourced within Costa Rica.
What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is more expensive than Mexico or Colombia but cheaper than the US. Budget $1,500–2,500/month for a comfortable lifestyle in San José or beach towns. Tourist areas (Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio) tend to be pricier.
Is Costa Rica safe for digital nomads?
Costa Rica is generally considered the safest country in Central America. It has no military and invests heavily in education and healthcare. Standard precautions apply in cities, but overall it's very welcoming to foreigners.

Tax calculator coming soon for Costa Rica.

Related Visa Guides

United StatesSee alternativesCanadaSee alternativesMexicoSee alternativesColombiaDigital Nomad Visa (Visa Tipo V — Nómada Digital)BrazilDigital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)

Information is for guidance only and may change. Always verify with official government sources before applying. Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.