Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most common questions about civil, corporate and notarial law in Costa Rica. They are general information and do not replace advice on your specific case.
Buying property as a foreigner
Can a foreigner buy property in Costa Rica?
Yes. A foreigner can acquire titled property registered in the National Registry (Registro Nacional) on the same terms as a Costa Rican, without residency; a valid passport is enough for identification. The main exception is on the coast, in the maritime-terrestrial zone, where there is no private ownership, only concessions. Learn more
Do I have to be in Costa Rica to sign the purchase?
Not necessarily. You can appear in person before the notary in Costa Rica or sign through an attorney-in-fact holding a special power of attorney (poder especial) granted in your country, which normally must be apostilled and, if not in Spanish, officially translated. The deed is executed in Spanish.
What taxes and costs apply when buying real estate?
Generally, the real estate transfer tax of 1.5% under Law No. 6999 (Ley del Impuesto sobre Traspasos de Bienes Inmuebles), stamp duties and registration fees, and notary fees set by the official fee schedule (arancel). Stamp duties and fees are updated periodically, so ask for an itemized estimate before signing.
What should be checked before buying a property?
Generally, a title search (registered owner, mortgages, liens, easements), the registered survey plan (plano catastrado), municipal zoning (uso de suelo), payment of property tax, water availability and possible environmental restrictions. Near the sea, also whether the property lies within the maritime-terrestrial zone. Learn more
Maritime-terrestrial zone and concessions
What is the maritime-terrestrial zone?
It is the 200-meter strip along the coastline, measured from the ordinary high-tide line and governed by the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone Law (Ley sobre la Zona Marítimo Terrestre, Law No. 6043). The first 50 meters are the public zone, open to everyone; the next 150 meters are the restricted zone, which the municipality may grant as a concession according to the coastal zoning plan (plan regulador costero).
Can I buy beachfront land?
Not within the maritime-terrestrial zone. In that strip you do not buy land: you acquire concession rights granted by the municipality, for a fixed term and subject to requirements, annual fees (canon) and approvals. Beyond the 200 meters, titled land can be bought normally.
Can a foreigner hold a concession in the maritime-terrestrial zone?
With limitations. Law No. 6043 restricts concessions held by foreigners, or by companies with majority foreign ownership (Article 47). Before negotiating, it is advisable to review the buyer's situation and the status of the concession.
Forming a company
Can a foreigner form a company in Costa Rica?
Yes. Foreigners can be shareholders, partners and managers of a Costa Rican company without residency. If the legal representatives do not reside in Costa Rica, a resident agent (agente residente) may be required. The company is formed by public deed and registered with the National Registry. Learn more
What is the difference between an S.A. and an S.R.L.?
In a corporation (sociedad anónima, S.A.) the capital is divided into shares, it is managed by a board of directors and overseen by a statutory auditor (fiscal). In a limited liability company (sociedad de responsabilidad limitada, S.R.L.) the capital is divided into quotas, it is run by one or more managers and the structure is simpler. In both, partners are generally liable only up to their contributions.
What obligations does a company have after it is formed?
Even if inactive, it must pay the annual corporate tax (impuesto a las personas jurídicas, Law No. 9428) and file with the Registry of Transparency and Beneficial Owners (Registro de Transparencia y Beneficiarios Finales, Law No. 9416). If it does business, it also files tax returns and keeps its books and minutes up to date. Learn more
Powers of attorney
What types of power of attorney exist in Costa Rica?
Generally, there is the unlimited general power of attorney (poder generalísimo), which grants the broadest authority to manage and dispose of assets; the general power of attorney (poder general), limited to acts of administration; and the special power of attorney (poder especial), for one or more specific acts, such as selling a particular property. They are granted before a notary.
Can I grant a power of attorney abroad for use in Costa Rica?
Yes. It can be signed before a notary in your country and apostilled, or legalized through a consulate if that country is not party to the Hague Convention, or signed before a Costa Rican consul. If not in Spanish, it needs an official translation and, for some procedures, must be recorded (protocolizado) by a Costa Rican notary. Learn more
Can a power of attorney be revoked?
Yes. The person who granted a power of attorney can revoke it, generally by public deed before a notary. If the power was registered with the National Registry, the revocation must also be registered, and it is advisable to notify the attorney-in-fact and anyone they were dealing with.
Vehicle transfers
How is a vehicle transferred in Costa Rica?
The transfer is formalized before a notary public, who verifies the parties' identities and the vehicle's registry status, and files the document with the Movable Property Registry (Registro de Bienes Muebles) of the National Registry. The transfer tax, stamp duties and registration fees are paid. Learn more
What happens if the vehicle transfer is not registered?
For registry purposes, the vehicle remains in the seller's name. The seller may receive fines or charges that are not theirs, and the buyer is exposed to liens or seizures registered after the sale. That is why the transfer should be filed with the Registry when the vehicle and the money change hands.
Wills and probate
Can a foreigner make a will in Costa Rica?
Yes. A foreigner can make a will in Costa Rica, for example, to provide for their assets in the country. The most common form is the open will (testamento abierto), executed by public deed before a notary with the witnesses required by the Civil Code (Código Civil). If the testator does not speak Spanish, an interpreter or translator takes part.
What happens to the assets if someone dies without a will?
The assets pass to the legal heirs in the order set by the Civil Code, which gives priority to children, parents and spouse. For the heirs to dispose of the assets, a probate proceeding (proceso sucesorio) must be carried out, either in court or before a notary. Learn more
Can probate be handled before a notary?
Yes, in some cases. The Notarial Code (Código Notarial, Law No. 7764) allows certain probate proceedings to be handled before a notary when there is no dispute among the interested parties. If there is disagreement or the requirements are not met, the matter must go to court.
Marriage before a notary
Can a notary perform a marriage in Costa Rica?
Yes. In Costa Rica, a notary public can perform civil marriages under the requirements of the Family Code (Código de Familia). After the ceremony, the notary sends the information to the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) for registration. The ceremony can take place wherever the couple chooses, for example, on the beach. Learn more
Can two foreigners get married in Costa Rica?
Yes. Generally, they need a valid passport, a document proving their marital status (for example, single status or a divorce decree), apostilled and officially translated, and the presence of witnesses. Whether the marriage is recognized in their home country depends on that country's rules.
Authentications and apostille
What is an apostille and does Costa Rica accept it?
Yes. Costa Rica is party to the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature on a public document so it can be used in another country party to the Convention. If the country of origin is not a party, the document requires consular legalization.
Where is a Costa Rican document apostilled?
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto), the competent authority in Costa Rica. Beforehand, the document must be issued or certified by the relevant authority or professional, for example, the Civil Registry or a notary public.
Do foreign documents in another language need translation?
Yes. To be used before Costa Rican notaries, registries and institutions, documents in another language generally must be translated into Spanish by an official translator authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship. They normally must also be apostilled or legalized.
What does it mean to authenticate a signature?
It is the notary's certification that a signature was placed in their presence by the person they identified. It does not certify the content of the document, only who signed it. For that reason, the signer must appear in person before the notary with valid identification. Learn more
About the firm
Where is DaLic Abogados located and what are its hours?
DaLic Abogados’ San José office — Attorneys and Notaries — is located at Plaza Antares, Local 12, San Pedro, Montes de Oca, San José, and is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can reach the firm by phone or WhatsApp at +506 6290-5407 or by email at [email protected]. Contact
Do you serve clients in Guanacaste?
Yes. In Guanacaste we serve clients from the province through coordinated visits by prior appointment, including foreign nationals who buy, sell or manage property in the area. The initial consultation can be held by video call, and notarial acts are scheduled in advance. Learn more
Do you provide service in English?
Yes. Bilingual service in Spanish and English. Consultations, correspondence and explanations of documents can be in English; deeds and other notarial acts are executed in Spanish, as required by law.
Can I have the consultation by video call?
Yes. The initial consultation can be held by video call. Notarial acts, such as deeds, powers of attorney or signature authentications, require the parties to appear in person before the notary, so they are arranged in person.
How are fees determined?
Fees are quoted in advance and set according to the official fee schedule for legal and notarial services (arancel de honorarios de abogacía y notariado). Taxes, stamp duties and registration fees are paid separately, as they are not income of the firm. Contact
The information on this website is general in nature and is not legal advice for any specific matter. Contacting us through this site does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship; each matter is reviewed individually.
Would you like to discuss your matter?
Send us a short description of your question. We will reply to arrange a meeting at our office in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, a visit in Guanacaste, or a video call.