Vacation & 2nd Homes

Key Changes To Costa Rica's Immigration Law:

1. Pensionado income will be $1,000 per month, increased from the current $600 per month. The $1,000 applies to the family unit (applicant plus spouse and/or other dependants under the age of 18). So, the one pension covers both the husband and wife -- same as now.
2. Rentista unearned income increased to $2,500 per month and applies to the family unit (applicant plus spouse and/or other dependants under the age of 18).
3. No increased income requirement when renewing carnet. So, if your residency was approved based on a pension of $600+, or $1,000 rentista income, you will have no changes in your income requirements when you renew your carnet after the new law goes into effect.
4. Mandatory membership in CCSS. Residents will have to join "La Caja". La Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (La Caja) is the National Health Insurance System of Costa Rica. Membership in la Caja is mandatory for all Costa Rican employees, workers, managers, etc., but membership is currently voluntary for foreign residents. Membership fees (health insurance premiums) are very low compared to health insurance rates in the U.S. and other industrialized nations.
5. Law goes into effect six (6) months after the approved law is published in La Gazeta, the official Costa Rican government newspaper. Therefore, any residency applications filed prior to the effective date of the law would be treated as filed under the "old" income requirements of $600 for pensionado and $1,000 for rentista.