Visa Options for Canadians Moving to Costa Rica
Costa Rica does not issue a residency visa at a consulate before you travel. Canadian citizens enter visa-free as tourists — typically granted up to 180 days — then apply for residency in-country through the DGME (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) in San José. Three income-based routes cover the vast majority of Canadian applicants, plus an investor route.
Unlike Portugal (D7 sticker required) or Spain (consulate appointment required), Canadians can enter Costa Rica visa-free and begin the residency process from inside the country. Hire a licensed Costa Rican immigration attorney ($1,500–$3,000) — they handle the DGME filing, document translations, and follow-up on your behalf.
| Visa | Min Income | Income Source | Processing | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensionado Easy | $1,000/mo | Permanent lifetime pension (SSA, govt, private) | 6–18 months | 3 years → PR |
| Rentista Moderate | $2,500/mo or $60,000 deposit | Passive income only (dividends, annuity) — NOT salary | 6–18 months | 3 years → PR |
| Digital Nomad Moderate | $3,000/mo ($4,000 with family) | Remote work for employer / clients outside Costa Rica | 2–4 months | Does NOT lead to PR |
Rentista income must come from a permanent passive source — pension, annuity, trust distribution, or investment dividends. Salary, freelance / consulting fees, and savings withdrawals do not qualify. If your income is from remote work, the Digital Nomad visa is the correct route.
Pensionado: Best for Retirees
The Pensionado is the most accessible long-term residency visa in the Americas. At $1,000/month (~C$1,410), CPP plus OAS alone qualify most Canadian retirees. There is no minimum age — anyone receiving a qualifying lifetime pension can apply.
- Income source: Must be a permanent, lifetime pension — CPP, OAS, a workplace or government (federal/provincial) pension, or a life annuity from an RRSP/RRIF. You can combine several lifetime pensions to reach the $1,000. The income must be guaranteed for life — ordinary RRSP/RRIF withdrawals on their own do not count.
- Dependents: Spouse and children under 25 (or any age with disability) can be included. The primary applicant’s pension is assessed for the household — income does not automatically double for a couple, though DGME may assess additional dependents case by case.
- Work restriction: Cannot work as an employee for a Costa Rican employer. Can own and operate a business, invest, and work remotely for non-CR employers.
- CAJA contribution: ~9–10% of declared income per month (~C$90–C$140/mo on a $1,000 pension) — mandatory after DIMEX issued.
- Validity: 2 years → renewable indefinitely → permanent residency eligible after 3 continuous years.
Rentista: Best for Passive Income Earners
For Canadians with investment portfolios, annuities, or trust income who are not yet drawing CPP/OAS.
- Income route: $2,500/mo guaranteed from a permanent passive source for a minimum of 2 years, confirmed by letter from a Costa Rican bank.
- Savings route: Alternatively, deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank and maintain it for 2 years. The bank issues a certificate confirming the arrangement.
- Renewal requirement: Must prove income was received in Costa Rica and that you spent 4+ months/year in the country.
- Same work restrictions, CAJA obligation, and PR path as Pensionado.
Digital Nomad (Estancia): Best for Remote Workers
Introduced under Ley 10008, the Digital Nomad visa is the fastest to obtain (2–4 months) and the only option that explicitly permits remote employment.
- Income: $3,000/mo for individuals; $4,000/mo with dependents. Can be salary, freelance, or any mix — as long as all employers or clients are outside Costa Rica.
- Health insurance: Mandatory. You must hold a policy with at least $50,000 USD coverage for the duration of your stay. CAJA is not accessible on this visa.
- Tax exempt in Costa Rica on all foreign-source income.
- Duration: 1 year + 1 year extension (maximum 2 years total). After expiry, you must change to a different visa category or leave. Does not lead to permanent residency.
Costa Rica’s residency requirements are administered by DGME (migracion.go.cr) and may change. The income amounts above reflect current 2026 thresholds. Always confirm current requirements with DGME or a licensed Costa Rican immigration attorney before submitting an application. Last verified: June 2026.
Moving With a Spouse or Children?
Dependents (spouse and children under 25) can be included in your application under the primary applicant’s visa category. Each dependent must provide their own biometric data and supporting documents. Income thresholds are assessed based on the primary applicant — income is not doubled for a couple on Pensionado. For Rentista with a large family, DGME may request additional evidence of financial capacity.
Full Costa Rica Pensionado Visa Guide →
Full Costa Rica Rentista Visa Guide →
Cost of Living in Costa Rica for Canadians (2026)
Costa Rica costs less than major Canadian cities for most categories, but the gap is smaller than it first looks once the weak Canadian dollar is factored in. Escazú’s upscale suburbs cost nearly double San José’s centre, and coastal towns like Tamarindo can rival Canadian cities. Two surprises for Canadians: local prices are effectively pegged to the US dollar (a weak loonie raises your real cost), and cars cost 50–80% more than in Canada due to import taxes.
| Category | Toronto (CAD) | San José (Central) | Escazú / Santa Ana | Tamarindo (Beach) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-BR apartment | C$2,400 | $500–800 | $900–1,300 | $1,000–1,800 |
| 2-BR apartment | C$3,300 | $700–1,300 | $1,200–2,200 | $1,200–2,500 |
| Local meal (soda) | C$20 | $3–7 | $5–10 | $8–15 |
| Groceries (monthly) | C$500 | $350–500 | $400–600 | $450–650 |
| Doctor visit | Covered (OHIP) | $50–70 | $50–70 | $60–80 |
| Fibre internet | C$80 | $35–55 | $35–55 | $40–80 |
Costa Rica figures are in US dollars (local prices are USD-linked); Toronto figures in CAD. At ~C$1.41/US$1, a $700 San José rent is about C$990.
Costa Rica levies heavy import taxes (roughly 52–79% of value by age) on vehicles. A car worth C$28,000 in Canada typically lands at C$42,000–C$50,000 in Costa Rica. Most newcomers buy a used vehicle locally, use Uber (widely available in San José and tourist areas), or rent during the first months while exploring. Factor this into your relocation budget.
Until recently, investors, rentistas and pensionados who obtained residency under Ley 9996 could import up to two vehicles and their household goods duty-free and take a 20% property-transfer-tax break. That incentive was only open to people granted residency in the law’s first five years — and that window closed on 14 July 2026. Anyone already approved under it keeps the benefits for 10 years, but new applicants no longer qualify and pay the standard 52–79% vehicle import duty.
Monthly Budget by Profile (in CAD)
- Single, Central Valley (San José / Atenas) — C$2,250–3,100/month. Comfortable lifestyle, private healthcare top-up, dining out regularly.
- Couple, Central Valley — C$3,100–4,500/month. Includes rent, food, transport, private insurance top-up on CAJA, and leisure.
- Couple, Escazú / Santa Ana — C$3,950–5,650/month. Expat-focused area with premium rent, English-language infrastructure, international schools.
- Couple, Tamarindo / Nosara (beach) — C$4,200–6,350+/month. Coastal premium; tourist-facing businesses price near North American levels.
- Family of 4 — C$4,200–6,350/month (Central Valley) including private schooling.
A couple living in Atenas or San José centre can live comfortably on about C$3,100–3,500/month. A retiree with $1,000/month of CPP plus OAS clears the Pensionado bar, and with a spouse’s pension or modest savings can maintain a high quality of life. Remember the loonie factor: because Costa Rican prices track the US dollar, a weaker Canadian dollar raises your real monthly cost even when local prices are unchanged.
Banking in Costa Rica as a Canadian
Opening a full Costa Rican bank account requires a DIMEX (your residency card), which is issued 6–18 months after submitting your residency application. During that period, you can use Wise for international transfers and open a limited non-resident account at BAC Credomatic.
Banking setup: step by step
- Step 1: Before you arrive — open a Wise account. Wise accepts Canadian-sourced funds (CAD) and transfers CRC (Costa Rican colón) directly. Landlords, attorneys, and service providers in Costa Rica widely accept Wise. Set this up before departure.
- Step 2: First month (tourist status) — limited account at BAC Credomatic. BAC Credomatic is the most foreigner-friendly bank in Costa Rica with bilingual staff and the best mobile app. Non-residents can open a simplified account, though with deposit caps (~$1,500–2,000/month). Required: passport + proof of address.
- Step 3: After receiving your DIMEX — upgrade to full resident account. With your DIMEX, you unlock: full account with no deposit caps, access to SINPE (Costa Rica’s national instant payment system, used for rent, utilities, and all official transactions), and eligibility for credit products. Additional documents required: DIMEX, CPA-certified income letter, proof of local address, Canadian bank reference letter.
- Step 4: State bank option. Banco Nacional and BCR (Banco de Costa Rica) are state-owned and required for some government transactions (CAJA payments, DIMEX fees). Less expat-friendly than BAC, but essential to have an account at one.
SINPE Móvil is Costa Rica’s national real-time payment platform — equivalent to Zelle or PIX. You need a DIMEX (cedula) to use it. Once enrolled, you can pay rent, utilities, CAJA contributions, and virtually any local expense instantly from your phone. It is the primary payment method used by Costa Ricans and most expat landlords.
Canadian Taxes & Costa Rica’s Territorial System
Costa Rica’s side of the tax equation is simple and generous. Canada’s side is where the real planning happens — and for Costa Rica specifically, it is harsher than almost anywhere else Canadians retire, because there is no Canada–Costa Rica tax treaty at all.
Costa Rica’s Territorial Tax System
Costa Rica taxes only income earned within its borders. Your CPP, OAS, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, Canadian dividends, Canadian rental income, and remote-work income paid by a non-Costa Rican employer are all completely exempt from Costa Rican income tax from day one — no special registration, no minimum stay, no application.
A Canadian retiree living on CPP, OAS and investment income, or a remote worker employed by a Canadian company, owes zero Costa Rican income tax. The territorial system is the default — not a regime you apply for. You get a local tax ID (NITE) after residency, but it creates no filing obligation if you have no Costa Rica-source income.
The Canadian Side: No Treaty, 25% Withholding, and the Departure Tax
Canada taxes on residence, not citizenship — so once you become a non-resident, you stop filing full Canadian returns. But two things bite on the way out and after:
| Item | What it means for a Canadian in Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| No Canada–Costa Rica tax treaty | Only a 2011 information-exchange agreement exists — it shares data, it does not cut withholding. So the full 25% non-resident (Part XIII) withholding applies to your CPP, OAS and RRSP/RRIF payments, with no treaty reduction (many treaty countries cap it at 15%). |
| Territorial offset | Because Costa Rica taxes that same income at $0, there is no double taxation — but also no relief. The Canadian 25% is your entire tax cost on those pensions. |
| Departure tax | On becoming non-resident, the CRA treats you as having sold most property at market value (deemed disposition): report on Form T1243, list property over C$25,000 on T1161, and use T1244 to defer the tax until you actually sell. |
| TFSA | Keeps its Canadian tax-free status but stops earning new room, and contributions made while non-resident are penalised 1%/month. Costa Rica will not tax it either (territorial), but it is no longer a useful shelter. |
| RRSP / RRIF | Stays tax-deferred in Canada; periodic RRIF withdrawals face the same flat 25% non-resident withholding (no treaty carve-out). |
CPP is payable anywhere in the world. OAS is payable abroad indefinitely only if you lived in Canada for 20+ years after age 18; below that, OAS stops six months after you leave. A social security agreement can bridge the gap by counting your years abroad — but Canada has no social security agreement with Costa Rica, so there is nothing to bridge it. The upside: CPP and OAS keep their annual inflation increases — they are not frozen (unlike the UK State Pension in many countries).
Because there is no treaty, the timing of your departure, your final Canadian return, and when you start CPP/OAS/RRIF draws all matter. Speak to a Canadian cross-border tax specialist before you move — especially about the deemed-disposition (departure) tax and whether to keep or collapse your TFSA.
Healthcare in Costa Rica for Canadian Expats
Costa Rica operates a two-tier healthcare system: a universal public system (CAJA) and a thriving private sector. For Pensionado and Rentista visa holders, CAJA enrollment is mandatory once your DIMEX is issued — but access is delayed 6–14 months while residency processes. Plan for a private insurance bridge period.
OHIP, MSP, RAMQ and the other provincial plans stop covering you once you are outside your province beyond the allowed absence (about 7 months / 212 days in most provinces) and give up residency. There is no reciprocal health agreement between Canada and Costa Rica, so you cannot rely on your provincial card there — and you may face a waiting period (up to ~3 months in BC, Ontario and Quebec) to re-qualify if you ever move back. Carry private insurance from the day you land until CAJA is active.
CAJA (Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social) — Public Healthcare
CAJA is Costa Rica’s national social security and healthcare system — widely regarded as one of the best public healthcare systems in Latin America.
- Mandatory for all residents once DIMEX is issued.
- Cost: 7–11% of declared income per month (~$70–$500/mo depending on income). On a $1,000 Pensionado income, expect ~$90–$110/month.
- Coverage: Everything — doctor visits, specialists, surgeries, hospitalization, prescriptions, dental, and maternity. Zero co-pays. Pre-existing conditions covered.
- Limitation: Specialist appointments can take 6–18 months. Urban public hospitals (Hospital San Juan de Dios in San José) are good but often crowded.
- Not accessible until DIMEX issued — which takes 6–14 months after visa approval. You cannot use CAJA during the waiting period.
Private Healthcare
Private healthcare in Costa Rica is high quality and dramatically cheaper than private care in Canada — and far faster than public specialist wait times back home.
- Doctor visit: $50–70, same-day, no referral needed.
- Top private hospitals: CIMA Hospital and Clínica Bíblica in San José are both JCI-accredited with US-trained physicians. Clínica Católica is a strong mid-range option.
- Private specialist: $80–150, same-week appointments. Compare: 6–18 months via CAJA.
- Dental: Cleaning $40–60, crown $300–500, implant $1,000–1,500 (vs. C$3,000–6,000 in Canada).
- Private insurance: $150–400/month (SafetyWing, Cigna Global, GeoBlue). Essential during the CAJA waiting period and as a supplement for faster specialist access.
Healthcare by Visa Type
| Visa | CAJA | Private Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Pensionado / Rentista | Mandatory after DIMEX issued | Optional (strongly recommended during bridge period) |
| Digital Nomad | Not accessible | Mandatory — $50,000 min coverage required |
You cannot access CAJA until your DIMEX is issued — which happens 6–18 months after submitting your residency application. Get private health insurance before you arrive. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance covers you from $45/month and bridges the gap until CAJA enrollment.
The Smart Expat Healthcare Strategy
- Before arrival: Get private insurance (SafetyWing, GeoBlue, or Cigna Global).
- After DIMEX: Enroll in CAJA immediately. Monthly contribution: ~9–10% of declared income.
- Long term: Keep CAJA for prescriptions, emergencies, and catastrophic coverage. Maintain a supplemental private plan ($150–250/month) for fast specialist access.
Finding Housing in Costa Rica as a Canadian
Unlike Portugal, you do not need a signed lease before your residency application — no lease is required to file at DGME. Most new arrivals spend the first 1–3 months in a furnished Airbnb or monthly rental while exploring neighborhoods, then commit to a longer lease once they have settled on a location. Leases are commonly in Spanish — have your attorney or a certified translator review before signing.
Best Areas for Canadian Expats
| Area | Character | 2-BR Rent | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escazú / Santa Ana | Upscale expat hub, English-everywhere, international schools, malls | $1,200–2,200 | Families, professionals |
| San José (La Sabana / Rohrmoser) | City center, walkable, local feel, good transit | $700–1,200 | Budget-conscious, urban lifestyle |
| Atenas (Central Valley) | Small-town charm, consistently ranked among world’s best climates, low crime, close-knit expat community | $800–1,500 | Retirees, quiet lifestyle |
| Tamarindo (Guanacaste) | Beach town, large expat community, dry-season paradise, good infrastructure | $1,000–2,500 | Beach lifestyle, surfers |
| Nosara / Mal País | Surf + wellness, eco-focused, quieter, growing community | $1,200–3,000 | Remote workers, wellness |
| Manuel Antonio | Pacific coast, stunning national park, tourist area, strong rental market | $1,200–2,800 | Nature lovers, part-time residents |
Where to Find Long-Term Rentals
- propertiesincostarica.com — largest long-term rental inventory in Costa Rica, broad coverage of all regions. Most listings are from local agents familiar with expat requirements.
- properstar.com — 297+ listings, strong coverage in Escazú and coastal areas, familiar interface.
- Facebook Groups — “Expats in Costa Rica”, “Americans in Costa Rica Living”, and city-specific groups (Escazú Expats, Atenas Expats) carry large volumes of English-speaking landlord listings, many furnished.
- crlist.net — local Costa Rican classifieds, better for local-market pricing outside tourist zones.
- Airbnb / VRBO (first 1–3 months): Furnished monthly rentals are widely available at $1,500–2,500/month. Essential for arrival while you explore and before committing to a lease.
- Landlords widely accept USD payments — most expat landlords prefer it.
- Standard deposit: 1–2 months rent.
- Electricity is pricey — AC can add $100–200/month in coastal areas. Ask about historical electric bills before signing.
- Escazú and Santa Ana are “expat central” — English-speaking, reliable fiber internet, Walmart, and international schools nearby. Rent premium is ~50% over San José center but quality of life for new arrivals is significantly easier.
Your Costa Rica Relocation Timeline
The Costa Rica process is unique: you prepare documents before leaving, enter as a tourist, then file for residency in-country. The two longest lead items are the RCMP criminal record check with apostille (allow 4–8 weeks for the check plus apostille time) and the DGME processing time (6–18 months). Plan 3–6 months of preparation before departure and 6–18 months in-country before your DIMEX arrives.
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1Month −6 to −3: Research & Document Preparation
Choose your visa category (Pensionado, Rentista, or Digital Nomad). Order a fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record check and have it apostilled by Global Affairs Canada — both Canada and Costa Rica are Hague members, so an apostille (not consular legalisation) is all you need. Get your CPP/OAS or pension certification letter apostilled. Get your provincial birth certificate apostilled.
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2Month −3 to −1: Final Preparation
Hire a Costa Rican immigration attorney ($1,500–$3,000 retainer) — they will coordinate document translations and DGME filing. Open a Wise account for international transfers. Begin researching neighborhoods and book furnished accommodation for your first 1–2 months.
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3Month 0: Arrive in Costa Rica
Enter visa-free — Canadians are typically granted up to 180 days as tourists. Secure your furnished rental. Open a limited BAC Credomatic account for day-to-day expenses. Buy a Kolbi SIM card at the airport — essential for calling DGME’s scheduling line (1311) later. Get private health insurance if you haven’t already.
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4Month 1–2: File Residency Application at DGME
Your attorney submits all documents to DGME in San José — all foreign-language documents must be translated to Spanish by a certified Costa Rican translator. Pay the government filing fee. Receive your expediente (application reference number). DGME also accepts applications via its online portal (trámite en línea).
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5Month 3–12: Waiting Period
Maintain tourist status while your application is reviewed. Canadians can stay visa-free (up to 180 days) — a brief border exit resets the clock (most people drive to Panama or Nicaragua for a day). Keep private health insurance active. Your attorney monitors the application and responds to DGME queries.
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6Month 6–18: Approval Notification
DGME issues a resolution approving your residency. Processing times vary: Digital Nomad visas typically take 2–4 months; Pensionado / Rentista take 6–18 months as of 2026. Your attorney will notify you when the resolution is ready.
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7After Approval: DIMEX Appointment (Same-Day Card)
Book a DIMEX appointment at a Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) branch — online at bcrcitas.bncr.cr or by calling 800-BCRCITA. As of March 2026, BCR branches issue the physical DIMEX card same-day upon appointment — the previous 3–6 month wait for the physical card has been eliminated. Bring: passport, approval resolution, BCR fee receipt, and CAJA proof.
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8After DIMEX: CAJA Enrollment & Full Banking
Enroll in CAJA immediately at your nearest CAJA (CCSS) office — bring your DIMEX, passport, and proof of income. Monthly contribution is ~9–10% of declared income. Upgrade your BAC Credomatic account to a full resident account to unlock SINPE access. If you have not already, notify the CRA that you have left Canada and file your departure return.
Documents Needed to Move to Costa Rica
The Pensionado visa requires 7 core documents — all foreign-language items must be apostilled and translated to Spanish in Costa Rica. Check off items as you complete them; your progress saves automatically.
Personal Documents
Financial Documents
Visa Application
In addition to the above, Rentista visa applicants need: (1) letter from a Costa Rican bank confirming $2,500/month guaranteed passive income for 2 years; (2) 3–6 months of bank statements from your originating income account; (3) supporting documentation of the income source (investment/annuity/dividend statements). Your attorney will advise on the exact format DGME requires.
Your PDF reflects your eligibility check result and which items you’ve already confirmed. Free, no signup.
After Approval: DIMEX, CAJA & Settling In
Once DGME approves your application, the post-approval process is significantly faster than Portugal’s AIMA (which has 3–9 month appointment waits). As of March 2026, BCR branches issue the DIMEX card same-day at your appointment.
Post-Approval Steps
- Book your DIMEX appointment. Go to bcrcitas.bncr.cr or call 800-BCRCITA to book at a Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) branch. Bring: passport, DGME approval resolution, BCR fee receipt (~$20), CAJA enrollment proof, and 2 passport photos. BCR now issues the physical DIMEX card same-day at the appointment — a major improvement over the previous system.
- Enroll in CAJA immediately after receiving your DIMEX. Visit your nearest CAJA (CCSS) office with your DIMEX, passport, and proof of income. Contributions are ~9–10% of declared income per month. Coverage begins approximately 1 month after enrollment. This is mandatory by law once you have your DIMEX.
- Upgrade your bank account. Take your DIMEX to BAC Credomatic and upgrade from a limited non-resident account to a full resident account. This unlocks SINPE Móvil (Costa Rica’s instant payment system), higher transfer limits, and access to credit products.
- Driver’s licence. Drive on your valid Canadian licence for up to 90 days as a tourist. Once you hold your DIMEX, homologate (validate) your Canadian licence at COSEVI/MOPT — any valid foreign licence is accepted, there is no road test, and a recent reform removed the old post-DIMEX waiting period. Bring your valid Canadian licence and DIMEX.
- Register as a Canadian abroad. Enrol in the Registration of Canadians Abroad service at travel.gc.ca. Free service that lets Global Affairs Canada reach you in an emergency or natural disaster.
- Finalise your CRA departure. File your final (departure) Canadian return for the year you leave, report the deemed disposition on Form T1243, and update your Canadian banks and investment institutions with your new non-resident status and address.
Path to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
| Milestone | Requirement | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residency | 3 continuous years of temporary residency; 4+ months/year in Costa Rica | Year 3+ after initial residency approval |
| Citizenship | 7 years of residency + basic Spanish proficiency test | Year 7+ |
| Dual citizenship | Costa Rica allows dual nationality — you keep your Canadian citizenship | N/A |
Costa Rica’s path to permanent residency is 3 years from temporary residency approval — compared to 5 years in Portugal and 4 years in Mexico. Combined with the lower income threshold ($1,000/month Pensionado vs €920/month D7), Costa Rica offers a faster and more accessible path to long-term legal status than most European alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Four routes: the Pensionado (US$1,000/month lifetime pension — CPP, OAS and private pensions all count), the Rentista (US$2,500/month for two years, or a US$60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank), the Inversionista (US$150,000 investment), or the Digital Nomad visa (US$3,000/month, but temporary — no path to residency). Temporary residency becomes permanent after 3 years, and you can apply for citizenship after 7.
The Pensionado bar is just US$1,000/month (about C$1,410) — most retirees clear it on CPP plus OAS. Day to day, budget roughly C$2,000–3,500/month for a single person in the Central Valley. Because the Canadian dollar is weak against the US dollar, which drives Costa Rican prices, Canadians need noticeably more nominal income than the headline US figures suggest.
CPP is paid anywhere in the world. OAS can be paid abroad only if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18 — there is no Canada–Costa Rica social security agreement to bridge that, so short of 20 years your OAS stops six months after you leave. On tax, because there is no Canada–Costa Rica tax treaty, Canada withholds the full 25% on CPP, OAS and RRSP/RRIF payments; Costa Rica adds nothing because it is territorial. CPP and OAS keep their annual increases — they are not frozen.
No. Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system, so foreign-source income — pensions, investments and remote pay — is not taxed in Costa Rica. Your only tax on that money is the Canadian 25% non-resident withholding.
Canadian citizens can enter visa-free and are typically granted up to 180 days as tourists. There is no consulate visa to obtain before you fly — you enter as a tourist and file your residency application in-country at the DGME immigration office.
Yes — enrolling in CAJA (CCSS) is a condition of residency. It costs roughly 10% of your declared income (about C$90–140/month on a $1,000 pension, or ~C$280/month on a $2,500 rentista income) and then covers doctor visits, hospital care and most prescriptions. Many residents also keep inexpensive private insurance for faster specialist access.
Yes, for up to 90 days as a tourist on your valid Canadian licence. Once you have your residency card (DIMEX), you homologate your Canadian licence at COSEVI/MOPT — any valid foreign licence qualifies, and a recent reform removed the old post-DIMEX waiting period.
No — that window closed on 14 July 2026. Ley 9996 let investors, rentistas and pensionados import household goods and up to two vehicles duty-free and take a 20% property-transfer-tax break, but only if you were granted residency under it within its first five years. Anyone already approved keeps the perks for 10 years; new applicants no longer qualify.
Yes — foreigners have the same ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens, and annual property tax is low (about 0.25%). Buying a home does not by itself grant residency unless it is part of the US$150,000 Inversionista route.
Prefer professional guidance?
A licensed Costa Rican immigration attorney handles your DGME filing, document translation coordination, and follow-up — strongly recommended given the in-country application process.
Official sources & references
- Visasmigracion.go.cr — DGME (Dirección General de Migración) — Pensionado / Rentista / Inversionista / Digital Nomad categories & DIMEX
- Healthccss.sa.cr — CCSS / CAJA — mandatory public health enrolment for residents
- Taxcanada.ca (CRA) — leaving Canada / departure tax (T1243, T1161, T1244) & the 25% Part XIII non-resident withholding
- Incomecanada.ca — CPP & OAS outside Canada; the OAS 20-year rule (no Canada–Costa Rica agreement)
- Residenceict.go.cr — Costa Rica Tourism Board — Ley 9996 investor/rentista/pensionado incentives (application window closed 14 July 2026)