Citizenship in Costa Rica

What is it, and who is it for?

Costa Rican citizenship, or naturalization, is the legal process through which a foreign national becomes a Costa Rican citizen, gaining full political rights, a national ID (cédula de ciudadanía), and the ability to hold a Costa Rican passport. It is typically pursued after several years of legal residency and is ideal for individuals who have made Costa Rica their permanent home.

What Is It?

Naturalization grants full citizenship status to eligible foreign residents who meet the legal requirements. Once naturalized, a person can:

  • Vote in national elections

  • Apply for a Costa Rican passport

  • Enter and exit the country freely without maintaining residency status

  • Be protected under Costa Rican law as a citizen, not just a resident

There are different pathways to citizenship based on nationality and family ties:

1. Citizenship by Residency (Naturalization)

  • Foreigners from Central America, Spain, or Latin America: must have 5 years of legal residency

  • Foreigners from other countries (e.g., U.S., Canada, Europe): must have 7 years of legal residency

2. Citizenship by Marriage

  • Must be married to a Costa Rican and have lived in Costa Rica for at least 2 years after marriage (with continuous residency)

3. Citizenship by Parentage

  • Children of Costa Rican parents (even born abroad) may acquire citizenship through a registration process

Applicants must:

  • Be legally residing in Costa Rica

  • Show good moral character and integration into Costa Rican society

  • Pass a Spanish language test

  • Pass a Costa Rican civics exam (unless over age 65)

Who Is It For?

Citizenship is best suited for:

  • Long-term residents who want to stop renewing DIMEX cards

  • Foreign spouses of Costa Ricans seeking full legal status

  • Expats with children born in Costa Rica

  • People who want to vote, participate in civic life, or gain dual nationality

Costa Rica allows dual citizenship, so you do not have to renounce your original nationality (check with your home country for compatibility).

  • Requirements

    • Requirements for Naturalization

    There are two options for obtaining citizenship in Costa Rica.

    One option is through having been a resident for seven years. The other option is through being married to a Costa Rican for two years and having lived in the country for also two years.

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  • Fees and expenses

    • What you need to pay.

    To obtain residency as a retired person, there are fees to be paid to the Costa Rican Government both when filing the application for residency, as well as when the application is approved.
    In addition, there are expenses to comply with the formalities of the application.
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  • Service Fees

    • What we charge for our service.

    These are the fees for hiring our services.

    There are four payment options.
    You can make a one time payment or chose between two or three installments. You can also choose to do a monthly plan for 18 months.

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  • Processing Time

    • These are the steps of the process and the processing time.

    • Document and preparation
    • Filing and processing
    • Registration

    Costa Rica Immigration provides outstanding service for dreamers making Costa Rica a home.

    Understanding your requirements and objectives is important to us. We listen and work together to create a truly unique experience.

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    Our commitment is to successfully get you legal in Costa Rica.

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