Can Foreigners Buy Property in Costa Rica? (2025 Guide)
Updated: Jul 31
Quick Answer:
Yes - foreigners can legally buy property in Costa Rica with the same rights as citizens, in nearly all cases. You do not need to be a resident or have a special visa to own real estate.
Can Foreigners Own Land in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has some of the most foreign-friendly real estate laws in Latin America. If you’re a non-resident or expat, you can own titled property in your own name or through a Costa Rican corporation (an S.A. or S.R.L.), which is common for liability and estate-planning reasons. If you go the corporate route, understand the ongoing obligations before you form it. Every company must file the RTBF beneficial-ownership declaration each April. Miss it and the penalty is 2% of gross revenue, plus a bar on registering any document in the company's name — which can stop a sale dead. Note also that Circular DPJ-002-2026 abolished the simple carta-poder: you now need a notarial power of attorney, apostilled if you sign it outside Costa Rica. Budget for an accountant, not just a lawyer.
There is no citizenship or residency requirement to buy property.
What About Beachfront Property?
Costa Rica’s Maritime Zone Law protects the first 200 meters of coastline:
The first 50 meters from the high-tide line: public land - no one can own it.
The next 150 meters: “concession land” - technically leased from the government.
Foreigners can’t own concession land directly unless they:
Are legal residents (with more than 5 years in CR)
In the 150m concession zone a foreigner cannot hold more than 49% of the concession unless they have been a legal resident of Costa Rica for more than five years. Structuring around this with a nominee Costa Rican majority is a well-known way to lose the concession — don't.
Pro Tip: If you’re buying near the beach, make sure the land is fully titled, or work with an expert to navigate concession rules.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Yes - always. Costa Rica has no MLS and no public database of closed sale prices. This has a consequence people miss: every price figure you will ever see — every $/m², every “average price in the area”, every comp an agent shows you — is an asking price, not a sale price. Nobody can tell you what the house down the street actually sold for unless they were in the deal. Price your offer on your own diligence, not on listing averages. So due diligence is critical. A qualified real estate lawyer will:
Check property title (folio real)
Ensure there are no liens or ownership issues
Draft or review your purchase agreement
Handle escrow and closing
When you work with Costa Rica Playbook, we connect you with our team of trusted English-speaking attorneys.
Real Estate Agents Here Are Not Licensed
This surprises every North American buyer. Real estate agents in Costa Rica are completely unlicensed and unregulated. There is no colegio, no licence number to look up, no continuing education requirement, and no regulator to complain to. Anyone can print a card. The only registry that exists is the anti-money-laundering registration at SUGEF under Ley 7786, and that is a compliance filing, not a competence check. Vet whoever you work with on track record, references from closed clients, and whether they will put things in writing — because nobody else has vetted them.
How Much Are Closing Costs?
Expect to pay around 3.5%-5% of the purchase price, which includes:
Legal fees (~1.25%)
Transfer tax and registration
Escrow services
How the Buying Process Works
Find a property
Submit a written offer
Sign a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA)
Place funds in escrow
Due diligence (title review, property inspection, etc.)
Close at the notary’s office
The process usually takes 30-60 days.
Why So Many Expats Are Buying
Property values rising steadily
No capital gains tax (in most cases)
Affordable lifestyle
Great rental potential
Secure foreign ownership laws
Need Help Buying Property in Costa Rica?
We’re relocation experts who help North Americans buy property in Costa Rica stress-free. When you buy through us, you also get:
✅ Start to finish relocation assistance
✅ Trusted legal contacts
✅ Honest property guidance
✅ Help integrating into communities with other Expats
Final Thoughts
Buying property in Costa Rica as a foreigner is not only legal - it’s surprisingly easy when you have the right guidance. From stunning beach homes to jungle retreats, the country offers real opportunities for lifestyle and investment.
If you’re ready to explore, let’s talk.
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