Costa Rica - retirement
Costa Rica Pensionado Temporary ResidenceResidencia Temporal - Pensionado (Ley 9996)
A temporary residence category for foreign retirees who receive a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month. It allows the holder and dependents to live in Costa Rica and access public health coverage through the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social.
Who this visa is for
- Foreign retirees with a lifetime pension
- Government, military, or private-company pensioners
- Applicants who want to bring a spouse and minor children as dependents
- Retirees comfortable enrolling in Costa Rica's public health system (CCSS)
- Pensioners planning to live in Costa Rica most of the year
Requirements
- Lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month
Must be certified by the paying government body or private company.
- Pension certificate apostilled or legalized
Translated to Spanish by a judicial translator when issued abroad.
- Bank certification of funds entering Costa Rica
Monthly wire transfers into a Costa Rican bank account.
- Valid passport and full copy of all pages
- Birth certificate, apostilled
- Criminal background check from country of origin, apostilled
- Enrollment in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)
- Consular registration at your embassy in Costa Rica
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (legal permanence) | USD 50 | Paid to the Government of Costa Rica. |
| Change of category fee | USD 200 | Applies when switching from tourist status. |
| DIMEX residency card | approx. USD 125 | Issuance and deposit combined. |
Application steps
- Gather apostilled documents abroad
Obtain pension letter, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and police clearance with apostille.
- Translate documents into Spanish
Use a Costa Rican judicial translator for all foreign-language documents.
- Pay the USD 50 government filing fee
Pay at Banco de Costa Rica and keep the deposit slip.
- Submit file to the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria
File in person at the Plataforma de Servicios or via an accredited agent.
- Enroll in CCSS public health insurance
Required before the DIMEX card is issued.
- Collect DIMEX residency card
Pick up at the Banco de Costa Rica branch once approved.
Official government source
Always verify the current fees, requirements and forms at the official source before applying:
Ask about the Pensionado ResidencyResidencia Temporal - Pensionado (Ley 9996)
Grounded on this page. Answers are informational, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum pension required?
At least USD 1,000 per month for life, certified by the entity paying the pension.
Can I work in Costa Rica as a Pensionado?
You cannot work as a local employee, but you may own a company and receive dividends.
Can I include my spouse and children?
Yes, a spouse and minor children can be added as dependents under the same pension, with no extra monthly income required by law.
Does this lead to permanent residency?
Yes, after holding the Pensionado status for 3 years you can apply for permanent residency.
Do I need Costa Rican health insurance?
Yes, mandatory affiliation with the CCSS public health system is required.