Costa Rica
Emigrate to Costa Rica: Find out the most important information for your stay here
Costa Rica is a diverse country in Central America, criss-crossed by dense rainforests and bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. For many who wish to emigrate to Costa Rica, the natural beauty and quality of life are particularly attractive. The capital San José is home to numerous cultural institutions, including the Gold Museum with an impressive collection of pre-Columbian art. The country is famous for its beaches, volcanoes and immense biodiversity. Around a quarter of the area is designated as a protected forest area, which is home to a variety of animals, including spider monkeys and quetzals. Emigrating to Costa Rica makes it possible to live in a country with impressive nature and a relaxed way of life.
Costa Rica
Capital City
San José
Population
5.18 million
Surface Area
31,752 mi² or 51,100 km²
Continent
North America
Official Language
Spanish
Currency
Costa-Rica-Colón (CRC)
Emigrating to Costa Rica: An overview of the political system
Costa Rica is a democratic presidential republic and has been without a military since 1949. Costa Rica is considered a stable democratic anchor in Central America and is committed to freedom of the press, freedom of expression and human rights - an ideal destination for people who want to emigrate to Costa Rica. The country has been a member of the OECD since 2021. The United Nations was the first country in the world to recognize Costa Rica for its environmental policy.
For many people thinking about emigrating to Costa Rica, the environmentally friendly energy policy is a big plus. The country produces 98% of its electricity from renewable sources. The forest cover has increased from 26% to over 55% since the 1980s. Costa Rica plans to completely phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2050. The Chaves government is working on linking environmental protection more closely with economic and social aspects, which offers attractive prospects for emigrants.
Climate in Costa Rica: Important information for emigrants
Costa Rica stretches along the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. This impressive geographical location makes the country particularly attractive for people looking to emigrate to Costa Rica. Costa Rica's climate is as diverse as its landscape, with regional climatic differences that offer emigrants different living conditions.
The Atlantic coast in the east is characterized by constantly high humidity, while the western regions have changeable weather due to the Pacific currents. The capital San José, located in the central highlands of Valle Central, offers a mild and pleasant climate - a great advantage for people considering emigrating to Costa Rica.
The differences in temperature and rainfall are also of interest to many emigrants. On the Caribbean coast, temperatures are on average around 5°C lower than on the Pacific coast, and the annual rainfall there exceeds 3500 mm. Those who prefer a dry climate might prefer to settle in the northern regions, where longer periods of drought are possible. The country's climatic diversity allows emigrants to find a region that suits their individual preferences.
Healthcare system in Costa Rica: Important facts for emigrants
Costa Rica has an efficient public healthcare system, which is a decisive factor for many people who want to emigrate to Costa Rica. According to a 2014 study by Harvard University, Costa Rica was ranked 6th in the world for health and well-being. This ranking is based on parameters such as obesity, suicide rates and deaths from non-infectious diseases.
The healthcare system is administered by the "Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social" (CCSS) and offers comprehensive benefits. Insurance contributions range between 6 and 12 percent, depending on income. For emigrants, integration into this system is relatively straightforward, which makes the decision to emigrate to Costa Rica even easier.
In addition, a virtual office makes it possible to conveniently arrange medical appointments online, validate digital documents and make use of services for the self-employed, known as "patrono" in Costa Rica. This modern and accessible healthcare system makes Costa Rica an attractive choice for people looking to start a new life in a country with a high quality of life.
Emigrating to Costa Rica: An overview of the economic situation and quality of life
The gross domestic product per capita in Costa Rica amounted to 17,860.41 US dollars in 2024. The Gini coefficient of wealth describes the distribution of wealth. The indicator is an established, internationally comparable measure of wealth inequality. It is measured on a scale from zero to one. The higher the value, the greater the inequality. Costa Rica's Gini coefficient was 0.49 in 2025 (source: Statista).
In Costa Rica, you can achieve a standard of living comparable to that in Europe, but at a lower cost. For many people who want to emigrate to Costa Rica, the low cost of living is a decisive factor. A couple can live comfortably on just 2,000 US dollars a month. With a budget of 4,000 US dollars a month, even a luxurious lifestyle is possible. Emigrating to Costa Rica therefore offers the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life without putting a heavy strain on the budget.
National holiday
Independence from Spain achieved
Emigrate to Costa Rica - Entry Requirements
Entry is possible for German nationals with the following documents:
- Passport: Yes
- Temporary passport: Yes
- Identity card: No
- Temporary identity card: No
- Children's passport: Yes
FAQs for emigrating to Costa Rica
Where can I find relevant information about my country of entry and the entry regulations that apply there?
We have compiled destination country information as well as entry requirements and customs information for many countries in the Relocation Service section of our website and are constantly expanding this section.
Can I use my own container that I already own for the move with DACHSER & KOLB?
For every removal, which we at DACHSER & KOLB always offer as a door-to-door (full service) removal, a container is rented for the duration of the removal. We therefore do not offer the option of using your own container.
Who is responsible for my move abroad and the services I need there?
As a FIDI member, we work abroad with selected, long-standing partners who work in accordance with our service standards.
Are my removal goods insured in the event of damage?
For every overseas move, we naturally cover transportation insurance at current value for the used household goods and personal belongings
What types of transportation do you offer for overseas relocation?
It is generally possible to carry out overseas removals via air freight or sea freight. In the case of sea freight, it is possible to ship the removal goods as additional cargo (“LCL shipment” with Liftvan) or with a container (FCL shipment in 20 feet, 40 feet or 40 feet high cube). We will be happy to discuss which option is best for you in a personal consultation.
When and how must the move be paid for and what is the payment deadline?
You will receive an invoice a few weeks after placing the order and pay the full amount directly in advance.
Do I have to pay taxes and customs duties on my removal goods?
Removal goods can be imported tax and duty-free into most countries if you have a valid residence permit. We will be happy to check the options for importing the removal goods for your desired destination country in a personal consultation.
Are you interested in moving to Costa Rica or another destination country?
Then do not hesitate and contact us today.
Alexander Brugger
Teamlead Customer Service & Sales - AIR&SEA
