International Removals UK to Costa Rica

It takes 22 days to ship to Puerto Limon or 24 days to San Jose. This is the time it takes from London Gateway to your chosen port in Costa Rica. Add on time for collection, packing and final delivery times.

The main ports of Costa Rica are the Port of San José and Puerto Limon. On arrival, all goods will have to undergo customs clearance which will be handled with the help of our agents in Costa Rica. Once cleared you can collect directly from our warehouse or we can arrange onward delivery to most destinations, including San José, Puerto Limón, San Francisco, Alajuela, Liberia, Paraíso, Puntarenas, San Isidro, Curridabat, San Vicente and more.

We’ll need the following documentation to get you moved to Costa Rica:

• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your visa
• Inventory list of imported goods
• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill. This document details items being moved and will be issued by us once your goods have left the UK.
• Proof of residence in Costa Rica
• Customs declaration form

All documents can be uploaded via our secure document transfer page.

Our live container tracking tool lets you watch your shipment from the UK to Costa Rica. We’ll provide you with a unique tracking number once it has left the UK port.

Yes, pets are allowed to move to Costa Rica from the UK. You must follow the key requirements before they can be allowed entry:

Key requirements:

1. Rabies Vaccination Certificate: If your pet is older than 3 months, it must have its rabies vaccination at least 30 days before travelling, but no longer than 12 months. The status should be included on a Rabies Vaccination Certificate.
2. Health Certificate: Your pet will need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian to confirm your pet is healthy, issued within 7 days of arrival. The certificate should be in English and Spanish.
3. Microchipping: It’s not a requirement, but it’s recommended to get your pet microchipped.
4. Import Permit: You’ll need an Import Permit from the Costa Rica Veterinary and Livestock Division.
5. Parasite Treatment: Your pet will also need to be treated for internal and external parasites, which will appear on their health certificate.

Yes, UK nationals can move to Costa Rica. You can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. You can extend this by applying for a tourist visa extension. There are multiple residency options, but they come with financial requirements. You can choose from a Pensionado (Retiree) Residency, Rentista Residency or Inversionista (Investor) Residency visa. After 3 years, you can apply for Permanent Residency.

For most visas in Costa Rica, you’ll need to adhere to the following basic criteria:

• Hold a valid UK passport
• Visa application form
• Passport sized photos
• Proof of financial situation
• Proof of accommodation for a certain period
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Medical Certificate

Here are the main visas available when moving to Costa Rica from the UK:

The Retiree visa is valid for 2 years and applicable to those who can prove they receive a monthly pension of a minimum of £746.91. They must also meet the following requirements:

• Valid UK passport with 6 months validity, providing copies and a passport photo
• Copy of your birth certificate
• Proof of monthly pension of at least £746.91 from a private or government source.
• Provide a police clearance certificate no older than 6 months
• A completed residency application form from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
• Proof of accommodation in Costa Rica

For a full list of requirements and more information on how to apply, visit the Costa Rican Embassy website.

This visa is for those who can provide evidence of a solid monthly income and is valid for 2 years. Working in Costa Rica isn’t allowed on this visa, but business owners and freelancers are allowed to apply if they meet the requirements:

• Valid UK passport with 6 months validity. Provide a copy and passport-sized photos.
• Copy of your birth certificate apostilled and translated into Spanish.
• Provide evidence of a monthly income of £1,975 or at least 2 years
• If you can’t show a regular income, pay a sum of £47,400 into a Costa Rican bank.
• A completed residency application form in Spanish via the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
• Police clearance certificate no older than 6 months apostilled and translated into Spanish.
• Proof of accommodation in Costa Rica.

Residencies.io provides more detailed information and requirements for the Rentista Visa here .

The Investor visa is for those who can invest a minimum of £118,500 in Costa Rican government-approved projects, property or businesses. The visa is valid for 2 years and you must maintain your investment. You must adhere to the following requirements to be accepted:

• Proof of a minimum of £118,500 investment with documents notarised and translated into Spanish.
• Valid UK passport with 6 months on it. You must provide a copy and passport-sized photos.
• Copy of your birth certificate apostilled and translated into Spanish.
• A completed residency application form filled out in Spanish.
• A police clearance certificate that isn’t older than 6 months
• Proof of temporary address in Costa Rica

Learn more about the Investor Visa here .

Once you’ve lived in Costa Rica on one of the above temporary residency visas, you can apply for Permanent Residency. You can live in Costa Rica indefinitely and there are no work restrictions.

There isn’t a standard Work visa available to foreign nationals, but if employers are seeking unique skilled workers, they can apply on their behalf. This isn’t common and it’s a lengthy, time-consuming process. The Permanent Residency visa will allow you to work in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has a Digital Nomad visa for freelancers and remote workers to live and work for 1 year. This can be extended for 1 more year. You must show proof of a monthly income of at least £2,370.

For the full requirements for all visa types, you can visit the Embassy of Costa Rica website .

Costa Rica offers a high quality of life, with its healthcare, education and natural beauty being noted. Approximately 25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected, so it’s a haven for nature lovers. It’s also considered one of the safest countries in Central America.

The cost of living in Costa Rica is 29% more affordable than in the UK. Rental prices are almost half the price in Costa Rica and property prices are significantly cheaper. Average salaries are much lower than in the UK, with the average monthly paycheck being £711.14 (492,936.68 ₡), but groceries and restaurant prices are also lower to make up for this.

Costa Rica has an excellent public healthcare system, called the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). It provides universal healthcare for residents and is funded by the public through a monthly fee based on income. There is also a private healthcare system which offers services with a lower waiting time than the public system. Many expats choose to get private healthcare insurance to cover these costs.

Primary school education in Costa Rica is compulsory from age 6 to 12 when secondary school begins. Students then obtain their high school diploma and work on this until age 16 typically, although the compulsory age is 15. There are international schools in Costa Rica that offer International Baccalaureate, British (IGCSE) and American curriculums. Students can either work or continue their studies until they attend university. The University of Costa Rica is a notable university offering diverse courses.

The technology and IT sectors are increasingly popular in Costa Rica, making it a hub for both. Tourism, agriculture and manufacturing are other key industries. There is a demand in many industries for English-speaking workers, making it ideal for UK expats. Remote work is also on the rise in Costa Rica.