Rentista (Fixed Income Residence)
Costa Rica
Last updated: December 22, 2025
2 years (renewable)
$50
12-15 months
Medium
About this Visa
The Rentista visa lets you live in Costa Rica if you have a steady monthly income from investments, rentals, or pensions. You don't need to work or invest large amounts of money. This visa is for people with passive income who want to move to Costa Rica long-term. You can't work for a Costa Rican employer, but you can own a business and make money from it. Your spouse and children under 25 can live with you without needing extra income. This visa is simpler and cheaper than the investment visa, but stricter than the retirement visa.
Key Benefits
- Permanent residency after 3 years
- Citizenship after 7 years (5 for Central Americans and Spanish nationals)
- 0% tax on foreign-source income
- Keep home country citizenship
- Spouse and children under 25 included
- Free healthcare system access
- Own property and businesses
- Travel to 140+ countries
- Only need 4 months residency per year
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be 18 or older
- Must have clean criminal record
- Must prove $2,500+ monthly income for 24 months
- Income must be from outside Costa Rica (not local employment)
- Must commit to healthcare enrollment in Costa Rica
- Must maintain legal status during application processing
Financial Requirement
Must prove $2,500 USD monthly income for 24 months from dividends, interest, rental income, pensions, or trust distributions. Not acceptable: one-time deposits, employment salary, or irregular payments. Requires Costa Rican accountant letter and 12 months bank statements.
Documents
- Valid PassportMust be good for 6+ months
- Birth CertificateOfficial copy with government stamp
- Criminal Record CheckMust be less than 6 months old
- FingerprintsTaken in Costa Rica
- Accountant LetterFrom Costa Rican accountant showing $2,500+ monthly income
- Bank Statements12 months of recent statements
- Marriage CertificateIf married - official copy with government stamp
- Embassy RegistrationProof registered with home country embassy
- Passport Photos4 recent passport-sized photos
- Spanish TranslationsAll foreign documents translated and officially stamped
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.