Investor Residency: Buy Your Own Home in Costa Rica for US$150,000

US$150,000your own home · in US dollarsBuy a home in Costa Rica for US$150,000 or more and you could qualify for Investor residency. Other qualifying investments, such as a business, are also possible.See if you qualify: free assessment

Investor Residency at a Glance

  • Published minimum: US$150,000 in a qualifying investment.
  • Best fit: applicants who can document both the investment and how it was acquired.
  • First step: confirm that the ownership structure and evidence fit the current DGME category before committing funds.
  • Important: this is temporary residency, renewed with proof the investment remains in place.

Buying your home in Costa Rica: how it works for residency

1
Your home can be your investment.A home worth US$150,000 or more can qualify you for Investor residency. You can also reach the amount by combining the home with other qualifying investments.
2
Put the home in your own name.The property must be registered in the National Registry in your personal name. A home owned through a corporation does not count for Investor residency.
3
Buying with a mortgage?Then your down payment must be at least US$150,000.
4
Your family can come with you.Your spouse, your children under 18, adult children with a disability and single children under 25 who depend on you can apply as your dependents.
5
Keep the home to keep your residency.Investor residency is granted for two years and can be renewed. At renewal you show that you still own the investment.
“Many people think the Investor category means putting money into a business in a country they know nothing about. That’s not true. You can simply buy the home you probably intended to buy anyway, and if it’s worth US$150,000 or more, you can qualify. But be careful: some clients were told by their lawyers to put the house in a corporation. That may be fine for other reasons, but it won’t help for residency, and it happens all the time when people buy without talking to someone who understands how it works.”
Glenn Tellier, founder of CRIE
What proves the purchase: Migración checks your ownership in the National Registry, and you provide a recent certificate from the local municipality showing the property’s value and that property taxes are paid up.
Couple preparing investor residency documents at a Costa Rica home

Investor residency depends on a qualifying investment and a complete immigration application. A purchase contract or asset price alone does not establish approval. Confirm the investment structure before transferring funds or changing ownership.

The published investment rule

DGME’s investor requirements set a US$150,000 minimum for the investment types they list, including real estate, registrable movable assets, shares, securities, and specified projects or funds. The category is granted for two-year periods and may be renewed when the applicant proves the investment has been maintained continuously.

The same provision addresses trusts and identifies the settlor as the person who may apply because that person makes the investment. It would be inaccurate to say that all trusts are excluded or that every qualifying investment must be property held personally.

Evidence to prepare

Ask DGME and an appropriately qualified adviser which evidence applies to the particular investment. Direct property ownership, company shares, and other investments can require different records.

  • Investment description: a clear explanation of what was acquired and why it fits the category.
  • Ownership records: documents showing the applicant’s relationship to the investment.
  • Value evidence: records supporting the required investment amount.
  • Source and transaction records: evidence of how the investment was acquired or funded.
  • Personal immigration documents: the signed application, passport records, civil certificates, background evidence, and required authentication and translations.

Check the structure before changing it

Do not move assets out of a company or alter a trust solely because of a general article. Investment, tax, ownership, and immigration questions need separate review.

Family members

DGME lists a spouse, a minor child, an adult child with a duly declared disability, or an unmarried child under 25 who is economically dependent as possible dependents. Each person must establish the relationship and provide the applicable records; one investment document does not replace each person’s application documents.

Process and renewal

  1. Confirm category fit: check the investment type, ownership structure, and evidence before filing.
  2. Prepare the investment records: obtain the certifications and supporting documents appropriate to that investment.
  3. Prepare personal documents: verify current DGME general requirements, authentication, and Spanish translation needs.
  4. File and monitor: submit a consistent package and respond to any official requests.
  5. Protect renewal eligibility: keep evidence that the investment has been maintained continuously before the renewal period.

Use DGME’s current regularization page, then open Residencia Temporal, Inversionista y sus Dependientes, and Requisitos Generales before filing. Requirements and checklists can change.

Couple receiving investor residency guidance at a Costa Rica home

Frequently asked questions

Does an investment automatically give me Costa Rican citizenship?

No. Investor residency is an immigration status. Naturalization is a separate TSE procedure with its own requirements.

Can a company or trust be part of an investor-residency structure?

Potentially, depending on the published rule and the records. Confirm the applicant’s legal role and the evidence required before changing ownership.

Do tax incentives decide whether I qualify for residency?

No. Immigration status and tax incentives are separate questions. Confirm any current tax benefit directly with the relevant authority before budgeting for it.

Can I include my family?

In many cases, eligible dependents may apply with their own supporting relationship and personal documents.

Get an early review before you commit funds

Send CRIE a short outline of the proposed investment and the records you have. We can identify the immigration documents to prepare and flag issues for further legal or financial review before you file.

WhatsApp: +506 8706 3888
Email: info@crie.cr

Professional disclaimer

This page is general information only. Immigration rules, internal criteria, and required documentation can change. Reviewed 8 September 2026 against the published provisions linked above and DGME’s current category and general requirements. Confirm the applicable checklist before filing.



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