Dreaming of trading European grey for Pacific light? Moving to Costa Rica is an achievable plan, but one that takes preparation. This expat guide covers the four pillars of a successful move abroad — residency, healthcare, schools and practical life — with a particular focus on the Nosara and Sámara region, home to a growing expat community. The aim: to help you live in Costa Rica with your eyes open, and no nasty surprises.
Costa Rica residency: which route to choose?
To live in Costa Rica for more than 90 days, you must obtain resident status from the Directorate General of Migration (DGME). Three categories cover the vast majority of life plans, to which is added a flexible alternative: the digital nomad visa.
The three main residency categories
The Pensionado is aimed at retirees who can show a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month. The Rentista targets those with a stable passive income of at least $2,500 per month, to be proven over two years, or who deposit a locked-in sum in a local bank (a figure of around $60,000 is commonly cited, to be confirmed). The Inversionista, finally, rewards an investment in Costa Rica, often in real estate.
These three routes first grant temporary residency, which becomes permanent after three years, with naturalisation remaining possible after seven years of residency. In all cases, registration with the CAJA (Costa Rica’s social security) is mandatory.
| Residency route | Financial requirement | Typical profile | Status progression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensionado | Lifetime pension ≥ $1,000/month | Retiree | Temporary → permanent after 3 years |
| Rentista | Passive income ≥ $2,500/month (over 2 years) or locked-in bank deposit (~$60,000, to be confirmed) | Person of independent means, worker with stable income | Temporary → permanent after 3 years |
| Inversionista | Investment (threshold to be checked, see box) | Investor, particularly in real estate | Temporary → permanent after 3 years |
| Digital nomad visa | Income ~$3,000/month | Remote worker with foreign income | 1 year, renewable (status distinct from residency) |
The naturalisation mentioned above (after seven years) concerns the classic residency routes, not the nomad visa, which remains a temporary stay. To compare relocation budgets across these profiles, see our article on the cost of living in Costa Rica.
Healthcare: the CAJA, private care and the question of distance
Costa Rica’s healthcare system rests on the CAJA (CCSS), the public insurance scheme, mandatory as soon as you obtain residency. Contributions represent roughly 7 to 11% of declared monthly income. Its great strength: it covers pre-existing conditions from day one and protects the whole family, with no exclusion based on age or medical history.
Many expats top up the CAJA with private insurance (around $60 to $400 per month depending on cover), which opens access to the renowned private hospitals of San José and Escazú, such as CIMA or the Clínica Bíblica, with short waiting times and often English-speaking staff.
Getting care near the beach: Nosara and Sámara
In the region, local provision exists but remains just that — local. There are clinics and EBAIS (basic health centres) in Sámara and Nosara — for example the Paradise Medical Center or the Samara Pacific Clinic — perfect for everyday medicine. The regional public hospital of reference is the Hospital La Anexión in Nicoya, about an hour from Nosara.
This is a key decision point, especially for a couple: the distance from major medical facilities. For serious treatment, complex surgery or a specialised emergency, you have to reach Nicoya, or even San José. Living on the Pacific coast means accepting this distance and, often, planning ahead for solid private cover.
Schools: educating your children in Costa Rica
Expat families have the choice between the public school, free but taught in Spanish, and bilingual or international schools, which ease the transition and exposure to English.
In the region, two names stand out. Mareas Academy, in Sámara, charges tuition fees of around $4,360 to $7,335 per year. Del Mar Academy, in Nosara, is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, with fees of about $18,000 per year, excluding additional costs. Spanish immersion through the public system, meanwhile, remains a free and highly formative option for the youngest children.
Practical life: daily living at the “pura vida” pace
Connectivity, safety and mobility
Contrary to received wisdom, the region is well connected: fibre optic reaches up to 1 Gbps, with Starlink as a backup solution, which makes remote work comfortable. On the safety front, Costa Rica sits at level 2, comparable to France or Germany. Around 76% of crime involves property offences (theft, car break-ins in beach car parks), with little violence; Nosara is reputed to be very safe. The usual caution is enough.
For driving, a reform (law 10591, in force since 2024) lets you have your foreign licence recognised as soon as your residency application is filed or approved, without the long wait of the past; in the meantime, you drive on your foreign licence for the duration of your authorised stay. Importing a car, on the other hand, is expensive: taxes represent around 52 to 79% of the vehicle’s value. Buying locally is often more sensible.
Banking, taxes and integration
Opening a full bank account requires the DIMEX (the resident’s card). SUGEF’s anti-money-laundering checks are strict and procedures can be slow: arm yourself with patience and prepare your supporting documents in advance.
Costa Rican taxation is territorial: foreign-source income is, in principle, not taxed locally. Be careful, however: there is no tax treaty with France, Belgium, Switzerland or Canada — so your situation in your home country must be examined with a tax adviser.
Finally, the famous “pura vida” sums up a relaxed way of life. The flip side is a slow bureaucracy that demands patience, and Spanish remains very useful day to day. The good news: the expat community is already strong in Sámara and Nosara, which makes settling in easier. Do take a look, too, at our properties for sale in Nosara.
FAQ: your questions about moving to Costa Rica
Which residency should you choose?
It all depends on your profile. Retirees naturally lean towards the Pensionado (pension ≥ $1,000/month). People living on stable passive income choose the Rentista (≥ $2,500/month over two years, or a locked-in deposit). Those who invest — often in real estate — go for the Inversionista, whose threshold must be confirmed with the DGME. Finally, remote workers who want to test the country without committing can start with the digital nomad visa (~$3,000/month, one year renewable).
Is healthcare good near the beach?
Everyday medicine is well covered in Sámara and Nosara (local clinics and EBAIS), and the CAJA covers the whole family, including pre-existing conditions. The real point to watch concerns serious care: for that you have to go to the Hospital La Anexión in Nicoya (about an hour) or to San José. Complementary private insurance is strongly recommended for these situations.
Can you educate your children in French or English?
The region offers bilingual and international schools, such as Mareas Academy in Sámara or Del Mar Academy (an IB school) in Nosara. Teaching is mainly in English and Spanish. The public school, which is free, allows full immersion in Spanish, very effective for young children.
Will my foreign income be taxed in Costa Rica?
Taxation there is territorial: foreign-source income is, in principle, not taxed locally. But the absence of a tax treaty with France, Belgium, Switzerland or Canada makes the advice of a tax adviser indispensable, in order to avoid any double taxation in your home country.
In summary
Moving to Costa Rica combines an exceptional living environment with a clear welcome framework: residency routes suited to every profile, universal health cover via the CAJA, quality international schools and a modern, safe daily life. The points to watch — the investor threshold to be checked, distance from serious care, administrative slowness, taxation without a treaty — are very manageable with good preparation and the right people. Our French-speaking team knows the Nosara and Sámara region inside out: contact us to build your plan.
This article is intended for information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or medical advice. Costa Rican regulations (immigration, investment thresholds, taxation, driving licences) change regularly and the amounts cited may change. Before taking any steps, have your situation confirmed by a lawyer specialising in immigration and by a competent tax adviser in your home country.
