Costa Rica · Rentista Visa
Move to Costa Rica on Your Own Income
The Rentista visa is built for financially independent people, not just retirees.
Show steady income or a bank deposit, and you're in.
Why Costa Rica
Why financially independent Americans pick Costa Rica
It's close to home, it's calm, and Costa Rica doesn't tax your foreign income. It also offers biodiversity, from jungles to Central Valley and the Pacific coastline.
- About 3 hours to Miami, 1 hour behind EST
- A couple lives well on about $2,900 a month
The Rentista at a glance
$2,500
Guaranteed monthly income
or a $60,000 deposit
3 years
Until permanent residency
temporary first
$0
Local tax on foreign income
territorial system
How it works
The Rentista, in plain English
Prove $2,500 a month in guaranteed income for two years, or park $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank that pays you $2,500 a month. The deposit stays yours.
- Income can be from investments, rent, an annuity, or a trust
- Here's the catch: no local job, but you can own a business
- You join the public health system (Caja), about 9-10% of declared income
Financially Independent Visa (Rentista)
For those who can demonstrate stable income or a significant deposit. Temporary residency is granted first; permanent residency is possible after three years if at least 180 days per year are spent in Costa Rica.
- Government cost
- $2,815
- Processing time
- ~90 days
- Timeline
- Temporary, then permanent after 3 years
- Difficulty
- Easy
Key requirements
- Proof of stable income of at least $2,500/month or a $60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank for two years
- Medical insurance valid in Costa Rica
Rentista vs. Pensionado
Rentista or Pensionado? Close, but not the same
They look like twins, but they aren't. Both visas ban local jobs, qualify for permanent residency after three years, and need you to join the Caja. The difference is your income source.
- Pensionado: $1,000 a month from a lifetime pension, for retirees
- Rentista: $2,500 a month guaranteed for two years, from any source
- Pension for life? Pick Pensionado. Living on investments? Pick Rentista.
Scouting trips
See it before you commit
Before you move a dollar, spend a week living like a resident. Expatsi runs a San José and Tamarindo scouting trip with local hosts StartAbroad.
- Tour real neighborhoods, not resorts
- Meet the pros you'll actually use
- Tour healthcare facilities
- Explore housing options
- Help you understand what daily life actually feels like
Costa Rica pros we trust
StartAbroad
Costa Rica Relocation Specialist
Handles the Rentista paperwork, banking, and the move end to end.
Robbie Parker & Steve Clayson
Costa Rica Local Guide
Live there and help you find the right town and home, and know the LGBTQ+ scene.
Where to live
Where Rentistas settle
Central Valley
City and hospitals
San José suburbs: top hospitals, mild weather, easy flights.
Guanacaste
Pacific beaches
Tamarindo and Nosara: surf, sun, big expat crowd.
Coffee country
Small-town calm
Grecia and Atenas: mild highlands, lower rents.
Caribbean coast
Laid-back
Puerto Viejo: rainforest, reggae, turquoise water.
Costa Rica Rentista FAQ
Will Costa Rica tax my income?
Costa Rica only taxes income earned from inside the country, so your foreign income isn't taxed there. As a U.S. citizen, you'd still file U.S. taxes. The foreign earned income exclusion won't cover passive income, so talk to a cross-border accountant for best results when filing taxes.
How much income do I need for the Rentista visa?
You show a guaranteed $2,500 a month for at least two years, or you deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank and draw it down at $2,500 a month. Either way, that deposit stays your money.
Does the $2,500 cover my family?
Yes. The requirement covers you, your spouse, and children under 25 on one application. You don't add $2,500 per person.
Can I work in Costa Rica on a Rentista visa?
You can't as an employee for a local company. You can own a business, take dividends, and earn foreign or passive income. Once you reach permanent residency, you can work freely.
How long does approval take?
The government's target is about 90 days; in practice ,many cases run six months to a year. You'll get temporary residency first, then apply for permanent residency after three years.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes. Rentista residents enroll in and pay into Costa Rica's public health system, the Caja, usually around 9 to 10% of the income you declare.
How is the Rentista different from the Pensionado?
The Pensionado needs $1,000 a month from a lifetime pension and is built for retirees. The Rentista needs $2,500 a month from any steady source, so it fits investors, early retirees, and people living on savings. Both lead to permanent residency after three years.
You can actually do this.
We'll help with the visa, the money, and the move.
Why not you?