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Naturalisation in Costa Rica: five or seven years of official residence, the Spanish and civics exam and the Civil Registry procedure

Argentina. For full detail on Argentina, go to The Argentine Thread.

Last verified: 2026-10-29 · Status: Stable

Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero Americans by birth can naturalise after five years of official residence; everyone else after seven. Applicants must be of good conduct, have known means of living, pass the Ministry of Education exam on Spanish and Costa Rican history and values, and apply to the Civil Registry of the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones. Since 2024 a final sentence of more than three years for an intentional crime in the last ten years bars naturalisation.

Key facts

Official residence required for naturalisation, general rule	7 yearsConstitución art. 14(3), as of 1949-11-07 · in force
Official residence required for Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero Americans by birth	5 yearsConstitución art. 14(2), as of 1949-11-07 · in force

The rule

1. Nationals of other Central American countries, Spaniards and Ibero Americans by birth may naturalise after five years of official residence; other foreigners after seven years; a foreigner married to a Costa Rican for two years who has resided here for that period may also opt.Constitución Política, art. 14(2), (3) and (5), 1949-11-07 official text · verified 2026-10-29

2. Requirements: adult, good conduct and domicile for the constitutional term, a profession or trade and known income, no conviction in Costa Rica for intentional crimes, ability to speak, read and write Spanish and knowledge of Costa Rican history and values; the applicant swears to respect the constitutional order, states in writing that they will keep residing in Costa Rica and renounces their nationality unless a dual nationality treaty applies.Ley 1155, Ley de Opciones y Naturalizaciones, as amended by Ley 7234, art. 11, 1991-05-09 official text · verified 2026-10-29

3. Conduct, domicile and means are proved with two witnesses of recognised honour plus documents; language, history and values with a certificate of the Ministry of Public Education.Ley 1155, art. 11 a, 1991-05-09 official text · verified 2026-10-29

4. The Civil Registry publishes a notice giving 10 business days for objections; the applicant has eight days to answer; the Registry rules and the decision may be appealed within five days to the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, which also reviews unappealed decisions on consultation.Ley 1155, art. 13 and art. 14, 1950-04-29 official text · verified 2026-10-29

5. Naturalisation is refused to persons convicted by final sentence of an intentional crime in the last ten years with a prison term over three years, in Costa Rica or abroad, and the procedure is suspended while criminal cases are pending (with exceptions for recognised refugees, stateless persons and asylees).Ley 1155, as amended by Ley 10508, art. 15(4), 2024-08-26 official text · verified 2026-10-29 · changed: Ley 10508 added art. 15(4), in force 28 August 2024.

6. A suspension of legal stay approved by DGME interrupts the time counted towards naturalisation.Ley 8764, art. 132, 2009-08-19 official text · verified 2026-10-29

Worked example

An Argentine by birth with official residence since 2021 reaches five years in 2026; a United States citizen in the same position needs seven years, until 2028.

Step by step

Count official residence time from the residence grant, not from first entry as a tourist.
Pass the Ministry of Public Education exam on Spanish and on Costa Rican history and values.
File with the Civil Registry's Opciones y Naturalizaciones section with two witnesses and income proof.
Watch the 10 business day objection period and the five day appeal window.

Common traps

Time as a tourist or digital nomad (non resident) is not official residence.
Ley 1155 art. 11 still asks for renunciation of the prior nationality unless a dual nationality treaty applies; check the applicant's home country rules.
Long absences can break domicile; request a DGME suspension in advance.

Sources

← Permanent residence in Costa Rica: three years of temporary residence, freedom to work and the four year absence ruleEmployer duties when hiring foreigners in Costa Rica: status checks, inspections and fines of 2 to 12 salarios base →

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