An Overview of Property Buying in Costa Rica, Part 1

If you have an interest in moving abroad to Costa Rica and buying some property or even if you just want to buy a second home in Costa Rica for vacations you should familiarize your self with the process of buying property abroad in Costa Rica. Before you begin your property search overseas in Costa Rica you should note that as a foreigner buyer you will have almost all of the same rights as a citizen of Costa Rica. In fact, Costa Rican property laws allow both resident and non residents to purchase property in the country. There is one restriction imposed on foreigners in the Terrestrial Maritime Zone.

In Costa Rica the Maritime Zone law mandates that all beaches are considered public property. This means that the first 50 meters above the high tide line is public. There are some exceptions such as land in port areas and agreements that date back before 1973. After those first 50 meters the first 150 meters are considered the actual Maritime Zone. This is where the buying restrictions kicks in. Foreigners are required to have at least five years of residency in Costa Rica before they can purchase property where more than 49 percent of it is in the Maritime Zone. This is the only buying restriction that foreigners will face when purchasing property in Costa Rica.

There are some restrictions in regards to land use in Costa Rica as well. In some instances there are also regulations that demand investments or development of property. A lawyer can find out if any of this is the case on property that you are interested in buying. You can also consult regulating authorities on your own. Places you may want to contact are: the Ministry of Agriculture and Cattle, the National Institute of Housing and Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Human Resources, the Water and Sewage Authority, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, the Institute of Farming Development, and the municipality where the property is located.