Americas · Rank 13 of 25 in the overall ranking
Taxes in Costa Rica
San José · Guanacaste
How to get residency
Residency as a rentista, pensioner or investor.
Days you must stay
183 days a year.
Small print
Foreign income stays outside the tax base. Local companies pay 30%. Nature and stability, but further and pricier than it looks.
If you move here
To stop paying tax at home you must live in Costa Rica most of the year, have your centre of life there and, if you own a company, run it from there. A tax residency certificate from Costa Rica is your best proof.
Also check whether an exit tax applies to you and read the tax treaty, if there is one.
Am I still tax resident at home? · Calculate the exit tax · Compare Costa Rica with other countries
Sources · reviewed on 2026-11-01
More countries in Americas
Is Costa Rica your best option?
Answer eight questions and we tell you which countries fit your passport, your residency and how you make your money.