BASICS
Costa Rica’s business environment welcomes and fosters foreign investment, whether in Real Estate or other business pursuits. There are generally no restrictions for foreign entities or individuals in acquiring property or conducting business in Costa Rica. A foreign investor is free to enter into local contracts and enjoys the same protection as any national citizen. For Real Estate purchases, this essentially means that everyone, Costa Rican nationals, foreign residents and even non-residents can own property in Costa Rica.

TYPES OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

As in the United States, Canada or Europe, there are different types of property available to buyers, which can be owned on a personal capacity or through a corporation; regardless of the owner's nationality. Following is a summary of each type of property ownership available in the country.

FEE SIMPLE
The most common and comprehensive form of real estate ownership in Costa Rica is fee simple ownership. The conditions and regulations for this type of ownership are the same for Costa Rican nationals as they are for foreigners. The notion of fee simple ownership is the same in Costa Rica as in the United States, Canada or Europe; namely, fee simple ownership gives the owner of the property the absolute right to materially own the property, use it, enjoy it, sell it, lease it, improve it, among other things, subject only to conditions outlined in Costa Rican Laws, such as zoning regulations.