Can Qatari nationals get residency in Costa Rica by buying property?

Yes. Investor temporary residence (Inversionista): from US$150,000 (about $150k). At least US$150,000 invested in real estate or registrable assets in the applicant's own name, shares, securities, or productive or national-interest projects (Law 9996 art. 8); registered with the Central Bank as foreign direct investment

How long does it take?

Investor temporary residence (Inversionista): the authorities publish no processing time. The permit runs 2 years, renewable.

Does it lead to citizenship?

Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 3.

Costa Rica Residency for Qatari nationals: Routes, Costs and Rules

For Qatari nationals

What is different for Qatari nationals.

Under the GCC Economic Agreement, GCC citizens get the same treatment as nationals in other member states across economic activities, including real estate ownership and residence.
GCC Economic Agreement (2001), via Gulf Labour Markets and Migration programme
Qatari citizens use the US Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) and the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, but still need a visa for the Schengen area.
Wikipedia, Visa requirements for Qatari citizens
An EU visa exemption for Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals was proposed in April 2022 and the Council agreed its negotiating mandate in June 2022, but it has not entered into force.
Council of the European Union, document ST-10357-2022

3 open routes

The routes to living in Costa Rica.

Investor temporary residence (Inversionista)

Open71

the Law 9996 tax and import incentives closed to new applicants on 14 Jul 2026. The immigration service still lists the US$150,000 investor minimum, though some advisers expect a return to US$200,000

Minimum: US$150,000
What counts: At least US$150,000 invested in real estate or registrable assets in the applicant's own name, shares, securities, or productive or national-interest projects (Law 9996 art. 8); registered with the Central Bank as foreign direct investment
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable
Time you must spend there: No rule published
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 3.
Family: spouse, children
Tax: Territorial: foreign-source income is generally not taxed. A bill filed on 22 Sep 2026 (file 25.796) would tax residents' foreign passive income such as dividends, interest, rents and capital gains

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Rentista (passive income) temporary residence

Open67

Minimum: US$60,000
What counts: Stable income of $2,500/month for 24 months, or a $60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable
Time you must spend there: No rule published
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 3.
Family: spouse, children
Tax: Territorial: foreign-source income is generally not taxed. A bill filed on 22 Sep 2026 (file 25.796) would tax residents' foreign passive income such as dividends, interest, rents and capital gains

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Pensionado (retiree) temporary residence

Open68

Minimum: US$12,000
What counts: Lifetime pension of $1,000/month or more
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable
Time you must spend there: No rule published
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 3.
Family: spouse, children
Tax: Territorial: foreign-source income is generally not taxed. A bill filed on 22 Sep 2026 (file 25.796) would tax residents' foreign passive income such as dividends, interest, rents and capital gains

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Residency rules, thresholds and fees change often, sometimes without notice. Everything here is general information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm with the official source and a licensed adviser before you act. Continental sells property; we don’t arrange visas or residency.

Short answers

What people ask.

Can Qatari nationals get residency in Costa Rica by buying property?: Yes. Investor temporary residence (Inversionista): from US$150,000 (about $150k). At least US$150,000 invested in real estate or registrable assets in the applicant's own name, shares, securities, or productive or national-interest projects (Law 9996 art. 8); registered with the Central Bank as foreign direct investment
How long does it take?: Investor temporary residence (Inversionista): the authorities publish no processing time. The permit runs 2 years, renewable.
Does it lead to citizenship?: Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 3.

Read it for your passport

Costa Rica residency, passport by passport.

Visa-free stays: Wikipedia, Visa policy of Costa Rica, read 20 October 2026, with Envoy Global and Newland Chase on the 2023 change: Group 1 nationals get up to 180 days, set on arrival. Saudi, Indian and Chinese nationals may enter on a valid US or Canadian visa. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Where we can help

Our markets, where a home can count.

We don’t sell homes in Costa Rica. These are the countries where we do, and where buying one can count towards residency.

The homes: Homes in Thailand · Homes in Malaysia · Homes in the United Arab Emirates · Homes in Saudi Arabia · Homes in Oman · Homes in Spain.

Costa Rica residency for Qatari nationals.

What is different for Qatari nationals.

The routes to living in Costa Rica.

Investor temporary residence (Inversionista)

Rentista (passive income) temporary residence

Pensionado (retiree) temporary residence

What people ask.

Costa Rica residency, passport by passport.

Our markets, where a home can count.

Talk to a senior adviser