Costa Rica Retirement Visa (Pensionado): The Ultimate Guide 2025

Why Retire in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica continues to attract retirees from around the world, offering a combination of affordability, high-quality healthcare, safety, and natural beauty. Here are five compelling reasons why Costa Rica stands out as a top retirement destination:​

1. Affordable Cost of Living

Costa Rica offers a lower cost of living compared to many Western countries. For instance, consumer prices in San José are approximately 45.5% lower than in New York City, with rent prices being about 81.9% cheaper.  A single person can live comfortably on a monthly budget ranging from $1,600 to $2,000, while couples often thrive on $2,500 to $3,000 per month, covering housing, healthcare, food, and entertainment. 

2. High-Quality, Universal Healthcare

Costa Rica's healthcare system is ranked among the best in Latin America. The public healthcare system, known as Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS or "Caja"), provides comprehensive coverage, including doctor visits, hospital care, and medications. Residents contribute between 7% and 11% of their monthly income to access these services.Private healthcare is also available at affordable rates, with specialist visits typically costing between $80 and $100. ​

3. Accessible Residency Programs

The Pensionado visa program allows retirees with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month to obtain residency in Costa Rica. This visa includes benefits such as the ability to import household goods tax-free and access to the public healthcare system. There is no minimum age requirement, and the visa can include a spouse and dependents. 

4. Safety and Political Stability

Costa Rica is known for its political stability and commitment to peace, having abolished its army in 1948. The country ranks 59th on the Global Peace Index, outperforming many other nations, including the United States.  This peaceful environment contributes to a sense of security for retirees.​

5. Welcoming Expat Community

With approximately 70,000 Americans residing in Costa Rica, there is a well-established expat community. Areas like the Central Valley, Guanacaste, and the Nicoya Peninsula are popular among retirees, offering social opportunities and support networks.  The country's friendly locals and emphasis on "Pura Vida" (pure life) culture further enhance the welcoming atmosphere. 

Costa Rica Retirement Visa (Pensionado) Overview

Costa Rica offers a popular retirement residency pathway through its Pensionado Visa program. This program is designed for foreign retirees who receive a stable, lifelong pension and wish to live in Costa Rica either part- or full-time. It grants temporary residency status, with the option to later apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship. The process is relatively straightforward and is considered one of the more accessible retirement visas in Central America.

Costa Rica Retirement Visa Requirements

To qualify for the Pensionado Visa, an applicant must demonstrate a guaranteed lifelong pension income of at least USD 1,000 per month. This pension may come from sources such as government or military retirement plans, social security, private company pensions, lifetime annuities, or disability benefits. The income must be verified through official documentation from the pension provider, and if issued outside Costa Rica, the documents must be authenticated by a Costa Rican consulate.

There is no additional income requirement for including a spouse or dependent children under the age of 25 in the same application. As part of the visa process, applicants must enroll in the Costa Rican public healthcare system known as CCSS and make monthly contributions based on their declared income. 

Costa Rica Retirement Visa and Pensionado Residency

Once approved, the applicant is granted a temporary residence permit valid for two years, which can be renewed indefinitely as long as the residency requirements are met. After three years of holding temporary residence status, the individual becomes eligible to apply for permanent residency in Costa Rica. While temporary residents are not allowed to work as employees in the country, permanent residents may seek employment or establish a business. Permanent residency cards are valid for five years and can be renewed upon expiration. 

To maintain your residency status, you must:​

• Reside in Costa Rica for at least four months per year.
• Continue receiving your qualifying pension and deposit it into a Costa Rican bank account.
• Stay enrolled and up to date with contributions to the CCSS.

Costa Rica Retirement Visa and Double Citizenship

Costa Rica allows dual citizenship, so retirees who eventually naturalize as Costa Rican citizens can retain their original nationality. To become a citizen, one must reside in Costa Rica for at least seven years. Other requirements include demonstrating Spanish language proficiency, passing a civics exam that tests knowledge of Costa Rican history and culture, and presenting two local witnesses who can confirm the applicant’s good moral standing and integration into the community.

Costa Rica Retirement Visa Documents

Applying for a temporary residence permit in Costa Rica under the Pensionado (Retirement) category involves gathering specific documents that demonstrate your identity, clean legal record, financial self-sufficiency, and intent to reside in the country. Below is a complete guide to the documents you will need to prepare, along with important notes on authentication and translation.

Personal Identification Documents

To verify your identity, you’ll need to submit:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry into Costa Rica.
• A complete copy of your passport, including all pages (even blank ones).
• Two passport-sized photos, taken recently, on a white background and in accordance with Costa Rican biometric standards.

Application and Support Materials

The core of your application consists of:

• A letter explaining your reason for applying for the Pensionado visa. This should outline your desire to reside in Costa Rica, highlight your eligibility based on retirement income, and mention any dependents who will accompany you.
• A completed application form provided by Costa Rica’s immigration department. Accuracy is critical — any inconsistencies may delay processing.
• Application fees, which include:
  
  • A standard government fee of $50, and
  • An additional charge of $3.75 per page submitted with your application (including annexes and translations).

Civil and Legal Documentation

These documents help confirm your legal status and background:

• Fingerprint registration obtained in Costa Rica from the Ministry of Public Safety (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública). This is done in person after arriving in the country.
• Proof of consular registration from your nearest Costa Rican consulate in your home country. This shows that you’ve registered your presence and intent to apply for residency.
• Birth certificate, issued by your country of birth. It must be recent (generally not older than six months) and apostilled.
• Police clearance certificate (criminal background check) from your country of origin or from any country where you’ve lived in the past three years. This must also be apostilled and translated into Spanish. It should show no criminal convictions.

Proof of Financial Means

Costa Rica’s Pensionado visa is intended for retirees who can support themselves without working. You must provide:

• Official documentation showing a permanent, lifetime pension or retirement income of at least $1,000 USD per month.
• This income must be guaranteed for life and come from a government agency, military pension, or private retirement plan.
• The income can only come from one applicant, but it can support a family (spouse and dependents) under one application.

Documentation for Dependents (If Applicable)

If your spouse or children will be joining you under your residency application, you will also need:

• Marriage certificate, to prove your relationship to your spouse.
• Birth certificates for each child.
• Passports for each dependent.
• Medical documentation, if applicable — for example, if you are including disabled adult children over the age of 25, you must provide evidence of their condition and dependency.

All foreign documents must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish. This is a strict requirement.

• The apostille is a form of international certification that verifies the document's authenticity.
• Translation must be performed by an official or certified translator recognized by Costa Rican immigration authorities.

Costa Rica Retirement Visa Application Process

Applying for Costa Rica’s Pensionado (Retirement) Visa involves several steps designed to verify your eligibility and ensure a smooth transition to residency.​

Step 1. Confirm Eligibility

Ensure you receive a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month from a recognized source such as Social Security, a government pension, or a private retirement fund. There is no minimum age requirement for this visa.​

Step 2. Prepare Required Documents

Gather all necessary documents, ensuring they are apostilled in their country of origin and officially translated into Spanish. This includes personal identification, proof of pension, and other supporting materials.​

Step 3. Submit the Application

You can submit your application either at a Costa Rican consulate in your home country or directly at the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in Costa Rica. Be prepared to pay the required fees, which include a $50 application fee and $3.75 per page for document processing.​

Step 4. Complete In-Country Requirements

Upon arrival in Costa Rica, you'll need to:

• Register your fingerprints with the Ministry of Public Safety.
• Obtain proof of consular registration from your local consulate.
• Enroll in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), Costa Rica's social security system, which requires monthly contributions based on your income.

Step 5. Await Approval

The processing time for the Pensionado visa can vary, typically taking 90 days, but it may extend up to 6 months or more. During this period, ensure all your documents remain valid and up to date.​ Once approved, you'll receive a two-year temporary residency permit, which is renewable. 

Step 6. Transition to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

After three years of temporary residency, you may apply for permanent residency, which allows you to work as an employee in Costa Rica. Following seven years of legal residency (temporary or permanent), you can apply for Costa Rican citizenship, provided you meet language proficiency and other requirements.​

Costa Rica Retirement Visa for US Citizens

​For U.S. citizens applying for Costa Rica's Pensionado (Retiree) Visa, obtaining a Social Security Benefit Verification Letter is a critical step in demonstrating eligibility. This letter serves as official proof of receiving a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month, a primary requirement for the visa.​ U.S. retirees can request their Benefit Verification Letter through the Social Security Administration (SSA) by:​

• Logging into their mySocialSecurity account and downloading the letter directly.​
• Calling the SSA to request the letter by mail. 
• Visiting a local SSA office in person.​

The letter should clearly state the monthly benefit amount and confirm that the payments are for life.​ For the Costa Rican immigration authorities to accept the Social Security Benefit Verification Letter, it must be authenticated and translated into Spanish. This process involves:​

• Notarizing the letter to confirm its authenticity.​
• Obtaining an apostille from the appropriate state authority to certify the document for international use.
• Translating the letter into Spanish by a certified translator.​

Alternatively, U.S. citizens residing in Costa Rica can request a certified benefit letter directly from the U.S. Embassy in San José. This letter is issued in Spanish and is accepted by Costa Rican immigration without the need for additional authentication or translation. To request this letter:​

1. Visit the U.S. Embassy's Federal Benefits Unit website.​
2. Complete the online inquiry form with your personal information and request details.​
3. A representative will contact you to verify your identity and provide the certified letter via email.​

This embassy-issued letter simplifies the process by eliminating the need for notarization, apostille, and translation.​ The Social Security Benefit Verification Letter is a vital component of the Pensionado Visa application, serving as concrete evidence of a stable, lifelong income. Ensuring that this document is correctly obtained and authenticated is essential for a smooth application process.​

Retirement in Costa Rica vs Panama

Costa Rica offers a structured Pensionado Visa for retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month. This visa grants temporary residency, renewable every two years, with eligibility for permanent residency after three years. The visa includes access to Costa Rica’s public healthcare system, import tax exemptions for household goods, and general discounts for retirees.

Panama’s retiree visa is available to anyone over 18 with a monthly lifetime pension of at least $1,000. It grants immediate permanent residency and includes a wide range of discounts on medical services, transportation, restaurants, and entertainment. The visa process is typically faster than in Costa Rica and does not require a minimum stay in the country. For comparison, please refer to the table below. 

Retirement in Costa Rica vs Belize

Belize’s retirement program is designed for individuals aged 45 and older with a monthly income of at least $2,000. Unlike Costa Rica, Belize accepts a wider range of income sources, such as pensions, annuities, rental income, or investment income.

The program offers annual renewable residency, tax exemption on foreign income, and duty-free import of personal goods. English is the official language, which makes the transition easier for many U.S. citizens. Please see the comparison details in the table.

‍

Overall, Costa Rica's Pensionado visa offers a straightforward and appealing pathway for retirees seeking a fulfilling lifestyle abroad. With its affordable living costs, high-quality healthcare system, political stability, and welcoming expat communities, the country presents an ideal environment for enjoying one's golden years.