Costa Rica passes law to help “digital nomads”

This week, Costa Rica President Carlos Alvarado and Tourism Minister Gustavo Segura in the law signs the “Digital Nomads Act“(Law No. 22215) with the aim of attracting foreign remote workers and their families to reside there Costa Rica for a term of up to two years. Deputy Carlos Ricardo Benavides, Promoter of the project in the Legislative Assembly, was also present.

With this new legislation, the country has created a regulatory framework that is able to attract distant international service providers (so-called “digital nomads”), which strengthens Costa Rica’s tourist competitiveness and provides legal security for remote workers who choose Costa Rica as their location and incentives are provided by headquarters.

The aim of the law is to encourage long-term stays in Costa Rica and to increase spending on resources of foreign origin in the country. The regulations set out the immigration category for non-residents for beneficiaries, as well as full income tax exemption.

How it works: This law allows any foreign individual with an income of more than $ 3,000 per month to stay in the country for up to a year on a visa that can be extended for an additional year. (If you are traveling with your family, the income must be $ 5,000.) Imports of basic personal computer equipment, information technology, telecommunications, or the like required to perform your duties or provide your services are subject to payment of all payments exempts taxes as long as they meet the proportionality criteria set by the National Customs Directorate of the Ministry of Finance.

The beneficiaries also receive a full exemption from income tax (defined in Title I of Law 7092, Income tax law). This exception does not apply to the beneficiary’s family group. In addition, a valid driver’s license issued in the beneficiary’s country of origin is considered valid for driving purposes in Costa Rica.

With this law passed, digital nomads are expected to contribute to the recovery of the tourism industry in many regions of the country through accommodation, food, vehicle rentals, tours, medical services, beauty salons and even educational services.

The country’s 32 tourism development centers have conditions to accommodate and serve digital nomads. The “digital nomad” will be able to set up his “office” on beaches, mountains, volcanoes and a variety of other ecosystems in Costa Rica.

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