Have you ever imagined sipping your morning coffee facing the Pacific, or a villa immersed in the jungle just steps from a secret beach? Costa Rica is attracting more and more Swiss buyers thanks to its stability, its climate, and a market that remains transparent. Good news: becoming a property owner is open to foreigners (with a few nuances in maritime zones). And once you know the steps, it’s simpler than it seems to buy in Costa Rica as a Swiss citizen.
The reassuring (true) story: from Lausanne to the Nicoya Peninsula
Marc and Léa, a couple in their thirties based in Lausanne, work in Switzerland and dream of a “tropical-chic” pied-à-terre to work remotely a few weeks a year and rent out the rest of the time. They discovered the market in Nosara and Samara: contemporary homes, quality services, an international community.
Their “Swiss method”: file prepared, local lawyer/notary chosen in advance, funds secured through a duly regulated escrow account, and a title check at the Registro Nacional. Result: a house with a garden, owned through a local company, closed in 45 days, and rental income properly declared. No miracle, just a well-managed process.
What you need to know and check before buying
1) Property rights: largely open… except on the immediate coastline.
- Outside the maritime zone, a foreigner may own property outright, directly or through a local company (S.A. or S.R.L.). Checks are carried out at the Registro Nacional (land registry).
- Maritime zone (200 m from the high tide line):
- The first 50 meters are 100% public and inalienable.
- The next 150 m are subject to concession: a foreigner who has not been a resident for 5 years cannot be a majority concessionaire (49% max rule for non-residents), and additional conditions apply to companies. This is a key point if you are targeting the “waterfront”.
2) Where to buy? Quick mapping of the markets.
- North Pacific (Guanacaste): Tamarindo, Nosara, Papagayo — access, surf, international schools, seasonal rental yields.
- Central Pacific: Jacó, Manuel Antonio — established tourism, proven rental management.
- South Pacific: Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal — preserved nature, spectacular ocean/jungle views.
- Central Valley: Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia — urban life, medical services, international schools.
Question for you: do you prefer the energy of surf spots or the serenity of a canopy retreat?
3) How much are the purchase fees?
- Transfer tax: 1.5% of the registered price.
- Stamps/stamp duties: about 2%–2.5% (varies depending on the stamps required).
- Notary fees: legal scale (often around ~1% depending on complexity).
Generally, expect ≈ 3.5%–5% in “closing” costs (excluding potential structural costs).
4) Property taxation (regular and “luxury”)
- Municipal property tax (IBI): 0.25%/year of the value registered with the municipality, value declaration at least every 5 years.
- Impuesto Solidario (known as the “luxury residence tax”): progressive scale updated annually by the Ministerio de Hacienda. For 2025, refer to the official tables published in January (amounts in colones and detailed brackets). Have it validated by a lawyer/tax specialist, as subjection depends on a technical assessment of the building and its tax value.
5) Escrow account and compliance
Funds ideally pass through an escrow** account managed by a regulated provider (SUGEF)**, with the necessary AML/KYC controls (origin of funds, identification documents, etc.). This is the standard for securing the down payment and closing. More information here.
The “how-to” step by step (typical process)
1. Pre-selection & mandate
Define budget, location, and mode of ownership (direct or company).
2. Lawyer/notary
Hire an independent abogado/notario who will draft the purchase option, conduct due diligence, prepare the deed, and register the transfer. We have partners in San José who can help.
3. Offer / Option to Purchase
Timelines, contingencies, deposit into escrow, due diligence period (usually 30–60 days).
4. Due diligence
- Title chain / Folio Real at the Registro Nacional
- Plano catastrado and land/plan correspondence
- Easements, mortgages, annotations
- Zoning, land use, environment (and attention to concessions if on the coast)Servitudes, hypothèques, annotations
5. Deed and registration
Signature before the notary, payment of taxes and stamps, registration at the Registro.
6. After purchase
Utility connections (water/electricity), municipal declaration (if reassessment needed), choice of property management if renting.
Express checklist to keep on hand when buying in Costa Rica as a Swiss citizen
- Offer letter / option with clear deadlines
- Escrow details (SUGEF provider)
- Copy of Folio Real + plano catastrado
- Municipal certificates (land use/zoning)
- Service contracts (water/electricity)
- Local home insurance
- If coastal: concession status and eligibility (residence ≥ 5 years if majority), municipal regulatory plan, fees and durations.
Residency status, banking and structuring for a Swiss buyer
Tourist visa: Swiss citizens travel visa-free for short tourist stays (generally up to 90 days). This status does not prevent property purchase but does not allow you to work.
Bank accounts: easier with legal residency; otherwise, escrow is the standard way to pay for a purchase.
Investor residency: possible with a qualifying investment (amount set by law, currently from approximately 150,000 USD for certain investments); useful for facilitating banking, extended stays, and local operations. Validate the exact category with a migration firm.
Local company: it is common to buy via an S.A. or S.R.L. (governance, inheritance, liability). Request a tailored setup (corporate purpose, beneficial owners, annual obligations)
Special cases: coastline, parks, borders
Costa Rica actively protects its coasts and parks. On the coast (Zona Marítimo Terrestre), keep in mind:
- 0–50 m: strict public domain, never privatizable.
- 50–200 m: municipal concession; if you have not been a resident for ≥ 5 years, you cannot be a majority concessionaire (and participation limits apply to foreign-capital companies). To be handled with a specialized local lawyer.
FAQ “Swiss Costa Rica” — Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can a Swiss citizen buy a house in Costa Rica without residency?
Yes, freehold outside the concession zone. Residency becomes important if you are targeting the waterfront (concession) or if you want banking facilities.
2) Do I need a notary?
Yes. In Costa Rica, the abogado/notario drafts the deed, calculates taxes/stamps, and records the transfer at the Registro Nacional.
3) What are the annual property taxes?
The IBI (0.25%/year of the registered value) and, for high-value residences, the Impuesto Solidario (annual scale from the Ministerio de Hacienda).
4) Can I rent out my house?
Yes, through a local property manager; account for tax obligations (income tax, VAT depending on rental type). Your lawyer/accountant will guide you.
5) How long does a purchase take?
With a complete file and escrow in place, typically 30–60 days (including due diligence), depending on title complexity, zoning, and party responsiveness.
6) Taxation in Switzerland?
You will mainly be taxed on your assets, but your rental income will be added to your income. Several solutions can be considered to minimize your tax impact in Switzerland.
Why Costa Rica appeals to Swiss buyers
- Political stability and rule of law
- Environmental protection and conservation policies
- Time zone compatible with remote work from Europe
- Quality of care and international education in expat hubs
As a bonus, the moderate property tax (0.25%) encourages long-term ownership.
Mistakes to avoid
1. Confusing “beachfront” and “full ownership”: concession is not a classic title — research carefully before falling in love with a plot.
2. Forgetting the “plano catastrado”: align cadastre with physical reality (boundaries, access, easements).
3. Paying without escrow: always require a regulated escrow account and a calendar tied to due diligence.
4. Neglecting IBI or the Solidario: check your fiscal values and declarations; Solidario brackets change annually.
And now: which Costa Rica is right for you?
Surf & sunsets (Tamarindo / Santa Teresa) or forest & waterfalls (Uvita / Dominical)? Do you need an international school nearby, or are you looking for a nature retreat with seasonal rental income?
At Brymmo, we help you frame the why, specify the where, and unfold the how with a hand-picked network of local lawyers/notaries, managers, and experts.
Are you considering a serious “Switzerland – Costa Rica” project? Contact Brymmo: we will accompany you from selection to signing, then to management.
Contact us for your projects in South and Central America — and let’s make your home in Costa Rica a serene and secure reality. See our mandates here.
Notes & important reminders
This guide for buying in Costa Rica as a Swiss citizen does not replace legal advice. Before any commitment (especially in maritime zones), consult a Costa Rican lawyer.
Tax scales (Impuesto Solidario) and procedures evolve; always check the official tables of the year and current regulations.
