Buying in Costa Rica is simpler than you might imagine — a foreigner has the same rights as a national — but the process differs from that of France or Québec. Here are the 8 steps, with realistic costs and timelines, to buy safely from abroad.
Clarify the intended use and the total budget
Primary residence, second home, rental investment or building plot: each project shapes the area and the type of property. Beyond the price, plan for around 3.5 to 4% in acquisition costs (see our dedicated guide: how much a purchase in Costa Rica really costs). Transactions are carried out almost exclusively in US dollars.
The Costa Rican market has no centralized registry equivalent to the French notarial system: properties circulate through agencies. Working with a local, French-speaking agency saves you from language and legal pitfalls, and gives you access to properties that are sometimes off-market. Target high-demand areas such as Sámara, Nosara or Guanacaste.
Once you have chosen the property, you submit a written offer. If both parties agree, they sign a promise-of-sale contract (opción de compra-venta) that sets the price, the timelines and the conditions. A security deposit (often ~10%) is then paid — not to the seller, but into an escrow account (step 5).
Verify the title and the absence of debts
Your lawyer checks at the National Registry (Registro Nacional): ownership of the title, the cadastral plan (plano catastrado), the absence of mortgages, easements, liens or unpaid taxes, and that the permits are in order. A crucial point for beachfront: confirm that it is a titled property and not a maritime concession (a different regime — we devote a guide to it).
Funds pass through an escrow agent registered with SUGEF (the financial regulator), which applies anti-money-laundering checks and only releases the money at signing. It is an essential protection for the foreign buyer. Cost: ~0.25% of the funds, often shared with the seller.
You can buy in your personal name (increasingly preferred and sufficient for most buyers) or through a Costa Rican company (S.A. / SRL). A company adds annual obligations (corporate tax, beneficial-owner registry). We detail this choice in a dedicated article.
In Costa Rica, the notary is a lawyer who draws up the public deed (escritura pública). At signing, you pay the price (released from escrow) and the closing costs: transfer tax 1.5%, notary fees (~1.25–1.5% + 13% VAT), registration and stamps (~0.8%).
The notary submits the deed to the National Registry, which records your ownership. It is this registration that makes the transfer enforceable against all. Allow a few weeks for the final registration. You are officially the owner.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be a resident to buy in Costa Rica?
No. A foreigner, resident or not, can buy and hold titled property with the same rights as a Costa Rican. No residency, nationality or local partner is required.
Can you buy remotely, without traveling?
Yes. By granting a power of attorney to your Costa Rican lawyer and using an escrow account, the entire transaction can be completed without you being on site.
How long does a purchase take?
Generally 4 to 8 weeks between the accepted offer and final registration, depending on the complexity of the due diligence.
Do I need a company to buy?
Not necessarily. Buying in your personal name is possible and often preferable for an individual. A company is mainly justified for specific estate-planning projects.
Disclaimer: this article is informational and does not replace legal advice. Costa Rican regulations change; always have your transaction validated by a local notary-lawyer. Tendance Immo Latina, a French-speaking agency in Guanacaste, supports you at every step — contact our team.
