Countries › Costa Rica › Guide › 16. What is normal abroad but not here

16. What is normal abroad but not here: Costa Rica

What is normal abroad but works differently in Costa Rica: the habits foreign investors bring from home, such as dismissal at will, a single discretionary bonus, freely priced interest, payment in the contract currency, nearly free dormant companies, short leases and store return policies, set against the Costa Rican rule and its cost, each tied to the official text. For Argentine side questions on FX, trade or tax treaties see The Argentine Thread guide.

Investor view. Costa Rica's differences from practice abroad are written in statute and published on fixed calendars, so they can be priced into a business plan from day one, which supports steady growth.

• What is normal abroad but works differently in Costa RicaCosta Rica is an open, rules based market, but several habits foreign investors bring from home work differently, and each has a cost, cap or deadline in law. Employers pay a thirteenth month by 20 De
• A thirteenth month salary paid by 20 December, free of income tax and CCSS contributionsAbroad a year end bonus is usually discretionary or set by contract. In Costa Rica every private employer must pay an aguinaldo of one month of salary, based on the average ordinary and overtime pay o
• Dismissal without cause is allowed, but costs notice and cesantía of up to eight yearsAbroad, at will employment often lets an employer end an indefinite contract with little or no payment. In Costa Rica either party may end an indefinite contract without cause, but the employer must g
• A 48 hour week, overtime at 50% extra and a 12 hour daily ceilingAbroad, salaried staff are often exempt from overtime and hours are set by contract. In Costa Rica the ordinary day is capped at eight hours (six at night) and 48 hours a week, overtime is paid at 50%
• A legal interest rate ceiling reset every six months: 36.48% in colones and 30.11% in dollars for the second half of 2026Abroad, commercial lenders and sellers on credit usually price interest freely. In Costa Rica every person or company that finances a third party, bank or not, is bound by maximum annual rates that th
• Dollar contracts are valid, but the debtor may usually pay in colonesAbroad, a contract in a foreign currency is normally paid in that currency. In Costa Rica obligations in foreign currency are valid and enforceable, but the debtor may choose to pay in colones at the
• An annual tax just for keeping a company registered: ₡69,330 to ₡231,100 in 2026Abroad, a dormant company usually costs only a small registry renewal fee. In Costa Rica every registered sociedad mercantil, EIRL and branch of a foreign company pays the impuesto a las personas jurí
• Leases run at least three years, renew automatically and dollar home rents cannot be raisedAbroad, landlords and tenants usually agree any lease length and indexation they like. In Costa Rica urban and suburban leases last at least three years, a shorter or open term is read as three years,
• An implied warranty, a 30 day claim window and eight days to cancel off premises and online salesAbroad, return rights are often set by store policy and warranties by the maker. In Costa Rica every good and service carries an implied warranty, durable goods must state its scope and length in writ
• Accepted electronic invoices are enforceable titles and can be traded; payers have ten business days to objectAbroad, an unpaid invoice is usually just evidence in an ordinary lawsuit. In Costa Rica commercial and service invoices are executive titles that can be endorsed, and accepted electronic invoices can

Related: Costa Rica country profile · live dashboard · central bank and release calendar · our posts on X