We are specialists in vacation rentals and rent a large number of condos and homes every year. Occasionally, we get requests for long-term rentals, too.
Most people come to Costa Rica on a Tourist Visa, with a maximum duration of 90 days. But that’s no problem because, although you need to invest some time, trouble and cost, a quick “border run” to Nicaragua means you can renew your visa for another 90 days.
However, there’s change in the wind, if you work mostly online. The Digital Nomads Law was approved by the Legislative Assembly on July 13, 2021 and signed by the President in August 2021 with regulations to be established by November.
The visa became law in October of 2021 and is more like a residency permit. A digital nomad can stay in the country for up to one year and, provided they were in the country for at least 180 days, the visa can be extended for a second year. Your foreign drivers license validity will be extended along with the permission to remain.
In addition, digital nomads can also open a local bank account with their visas and will be exempt from paying taxes in Costa Rica.
You need to be working for a foreign company, operate a business, or work as a freelancer with clients from foreign countries to be eligible for a digital nomad visa. And you’ll need to show a minimum monthly income level of $3,000 ($4,000 for families) as well as proof of medical insurance.
But there’s a problem… Costa Rica’s bureaucracy!
Although the regulations giving force to the visa were due in November last year, the immigration service, Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), in charge of developing the regulations, have not yet published them! Although they say they’re “working on the final version.”
Let’s hope you might soon be able to apply for a Digital Nomad visa and settle in Coco for a year or two.
If so, contact Becky about finding a long-term rental, or talk to Lauren about buying an apartment.