Emigrating to Costa Rica. Here you will find a checklist
Emigrating to Costa Rica – Checklist
This list is not a substitute for detailed planning, but is only intended to sensitize you to a few important points that you should keep in mind if you want to immigrate to Costa Rica. We will be happy to help you with all legal questions when emigrating to Costa Rica. After all, we were at this point once.
Emigration still 4 to 6 months away
- Before moving to Costa Rica, you should check whether you meet the requirements and what type of residence permit is suitable. It is important to obtain the documents you need in your home country, as some documents may be valid for less than 3 to 6 months.
- You should contact freight forwarding companies, compare prices and also get quotes from Costa Rica, as local customs brokers and freight forwarders are most familiar with the regulations.
- The loading of the container should be left to the professionals to avoid transport damage and comply with legal regulations.
- It is advisable to check if the passport should be renewed for all family members, as it is needed for many purposes in Costa Rica. At the German Embassy in Costa Rica, this currently takes about 4-8 weeks.
- Contacts with people who already live in Costa Rica can be helpful, but you should still be careful and trust your common sense.
- It’s important to prepare for Costa Rican culture to avoid culture shock that could cause you to leave the country early. Maybe you should also take a look at the country beforehand.
- Knowledge of Spanish is also an advantage, so it makes sense. However, there are also many language schools in Costa Rica. This is also possible online in advance.
- You should consider in which area and in which social environment you want to settle and find out about the school system for children, if you have any.
- In addition, you should decide which items you want to import and find out about import duties and taxes, as these require a not inconsiderable financial outlay.
- Book your flight well in advance and be flexible as the arrival date may vary.
immigration still 2 to 4 months
- Make a list of people you want to contact before emigrating, both for business and pleasure.
- If you don’t have credit cards, it makes sense to take care of them now, as well as knowledge of online banking.
- It is time to plan the emigration in detail, to find out about places, to study maps, to make contacts and to clarify personal needs.
- The necessary immigration documents should now be available, as well as a health check and any necessary vaccinations.
- Clarify insurance issues, carry out changes of address and clarify details with transport companies and customs brokers.
- Hotel booking, especially in the high season from December to April.
Immigration still 1 to 2 months
- Complete the schedule and leave room for the unforeseen.
- Sell unnecessary household goods and create a detailed packing list.
- Clarify questions about inheritances, wills and legal matters with lawyers in both countries.
- Organize vaccinations and documents for pets, obtain a certificate of good conduct.
Emigration for another 1 month
- Set an emergency address in your home country, arrange payments and grant powers of attorney.
- Renew your driver’s license, deregister and settle outstanding tax debts.
- Deregister your place of residence and make copies of all personal documents and bank references.
- Final detailed planning
- Take photos of important removal goods and pack and number the removal goods according to the list a few days before departure.
- Send important documents by DHL to the lawyer in Costa Rica, leave important copies with relatives or friends and secure flight confirmation.
- Loading the container and handing over the apartment.
Arrival in Costa Rica
- First, you need a Costa Rican driver’s license, as it is only valid for 3 months due to the tourist visa. However, as soon as you leave and re-enter for 2 days, it is valid again for 3 months. This must be applied for at the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
Link:https://www.csv.go.cr/solicitud-de-certificaciones
- Have the arrival of the container checked and ensure that it is unloaded in a duty-free warehouse in the Central Valley.
- Carry out the necessary steps for customs clearance of goods with the assistance of the customs broker.
- Organize a forwarding company with liability insurance for transport to the new address.
- Open a bank account and set up a P.O. Box address.
- Initiate the steps for the residence permit.
Documents you need to immigrate to Costa Rica.
- Valid passport: For all family members, as it is needed in Costa Rica for many institutions such as banks, insurance companies, the driver’s license, lawyers, etc.
- Immigration Documents: All required documents for immigrating to Costa Rica, depending on the type of stay or visa chosen. A certified certificate of good conduct, birth certificate, marriage certificate are recommended.
Here you will find information on where you can have your documents certified in Germany (Apostille):
Link: https://www.immo-costarica.com/news/dokumente-beglaubigen-lassen-apostille/
- Driving licence: Provisional or international driver’s license, as the tourist visa is temporary and the driver’s license expires after 90 days.
- Health certificates: If applicable, medical documents, health certificates or vaccination certificates for persons and pets.
- Documents for children: Documents relating to the schools and the school system, costs for school education and relevant documents for children who emigrate with them.
- Insurance documents: Policies for life, health, accident insurance, etc. to ensure that one is adequately covered while in Costa Rica. It is recommended to take out international health insurance with the ADAC. The costs are relatively low per year in return for the benefits.
- Documents for household contents: Specific documents and declarations may be required for the import of personal property or household effects. It is important to find out about import duties and taxes.
It is advisable to prepare these documents thoroughly and ensure that they meet all current requirements in order to immigrate to Costa Rica smoothly.
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