Costa Rica
Estancia – Digital Nomad Visa (Law 10008): health insurance requirements
Yes: health insurance is required
Yes. Costa Rica's digital nomad visa, the Estancia created by Law 10008, requires proof of medical insurance of at least $50,000 covering your entire authorized stay before it is granted. Each applicant, including every family member, must hold their own qualifying policy. The cover can come from an international insurer or one licensed in Costa Rica. It is a hard entry condition, not a recommendation.
The requirements at a glance
| Minimum coverage | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Minimum policy duration | Full duration of stay |
| Local-licensed insurer required | No: compliant international IPMI is accepted |
| Accepted proof | Insurance certificate showing the coverage amount ($50,000+), validity dates covering the full stay, and the insured's name. International or SUGESE-licensed policies accepted. |
Each family member must hold their own policy. The visa runs one year and renews once for a second; renewal requires at least 180 days of physical presence during the first year. Income of $3,000/month ($4,000 with family) is also required. The $50,000 figure is set in the implementing decree (Decreto 43619); migracion.go.cr blocks automated fetching, so it is cross-checked against the official tourism board and the published decree text.
Our take
The $50,000 floor is low next to what a real hospital emergency or an air-ambulance flight home actually costs, so treat it as the minimum for the paperwork, not the ceiling for your protection.
The cheaper a policy is while still printing "$50,000" on the certificate, the more carefully you should read its exclusions. Buy for the stay you actually plan, then make sure the certificate proves the number immigration wants to see.
What happens if you get it wrong
Without a compliant policy on file the application is refused, because insurance is one of the documented conditions for approval, not a formality added later.
A policy that covers you but cannot show $50,000 and the full stay dates in writing is treated the same as no policy. Let cover lapse mid-residency and you lose the basis the visa was granted on.
Interactive
Verified pricesWhat would it cost in Costa Rica without insurance?
You pay, out of pocket
$2,000–$5,000
A serious case needing admission and treatment.
Bars to scale. A flight home is in another league.
That is the bill you carry alone. Insurance exists for exactly this.
See what cover costsTypical private-care estimates for illustration, not a quote. Actual bills vary by hospital, city and severity.
FAQ
At least $50,000 in medical coverage, valid for the entire authorized stay. Every family member on the application needs their own policy at the same minimum.
No. The regulation accepts an international medical policy or one from an insurer licensed by Costa Rica's regulator, SUGESE. Many applicants use an international plan.
One year, renewable once for a second. To renew, you must have spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year.
A stable average of at least $3,000 per month over the prior year, or $4,000 if you bring family.
You must keep qualifying cover for the whole period, and renewal expects the conditions, including insurance, to still be met.
Reviewed by Lukas Schönberg, Founder & researcher, Nomad Insurance Broker OÜ
Nomad Insurance Broker OÜ (Estonia) is an information and matching platform, not currently registered as a regulated insurance intermediary in any jurisdiction. See /how-it-works for the full disclosure.
Source: visitcostarica.comLast verified
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