🇨🇷 Costa Rica citizenship · By birth
Costa Rica citizenship by birth
A child gets citizenship automatically when born in the country. Parents can get citizenship after 7 years of living there with permanent residence.
Costa Rica is a small country in Central America with a stable political situation, a high standard of living and developed healthcare and education systems. It is one of the safest places in the region to live and travel.
The legal basis for citizenship
Costa Rica grants citizenship to every child born on its territory, regardless of the parents' nationality. This right is enshrined in the Constitution of Costa Rica. The parents' status - legal or not - has no effect on the child's citizenship.
The path for the parents
Citizenship does not pass to the parents automatically. They can apply for permanent residence as soon as the child is born, and for citizenship after 7 years of living in the country with permanent residence. The age of the child makes no difference here.
Siblings and other relatives
Siblings of a child who is a citizen have no automatic right to citizenship, but they can apply for permanent residence on family reunification grounds. The same goes for other relatives - grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts and uncles. To get citizenship they too will need to live in the country for 7 years with permanent residence.
Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. On a free consultation we will look at your situation and suggest a route.
Benefits of a Costa Rica passport
Freedom to travel
Visa-free entry to 150 countries, including the EU states and Japan.
Life in Costa Rica
A high standard of living, access to quality healthcare, and the right to work and run a business.
A route into Spain
Costa Rica citizens can get permanent residence in Spain in just 4-5 months, and apply for citizenship after 2 years.
No military service
Costa Rica is one of the few countries that has abolished military service: its citizens are exempt from conscription.
How to get Costa Rica citizenship by birth: step by step
Entering Costa Rica
Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter. Foreigners who plan to stay on permanent residence will need an entry permit.
Giving birth in Costa Rica
You choose a private or a public hospital for the birth.
Registering the birth
The application is submitted online on the official website of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
Getting the birth certificate
After registration the child is issued a birth certificate confirming citizenship. You collect it at the nearest Registro Civil office.
Permanent residence for the parents
Parents can apply for permanent residence as soon as the child is born.
Citizenship for the parents
After 7 years of living in the country with permanent residence, the parents can apply for citizenship.
FAQ
Do all children born in Costa Rica get citizenship?
What if the child was born in Costa Rica but the parents were not?
Can other family members get citizenship?
Do Russian citizens need a visa to enter Costa Rica to give birth?
150 countries visa-free on a Costa Rica passport
Europe
Americas
Asia and Oceania
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