08/09/2026
Costa Rica: Paradise Under Pressure
Costa Rica combines political stability, strong social development, environmental leadership, and one of Latin America’s highest quality-of-life scores. Yet rising organised crime and drug-related violence create a striking imbalance in its otherwise strong passport profile.
Overall Rank: #56 / 199
Why does Costa Rica rank here?
✈️ Mobility — #60
Costa Rican citizens enjoy broad access across Latin America and many major global destinations, giving the passport relatively strong international mobility.
🏛️ Governance — #48
Long-standing democratic institutions, rule of law, and institutional stability make governance one of Costa Rica’s stronger dimensions.
🛡️ Security — #144
This is Costa Rica’s clear weak point. Rising drug trafficking, organised crime, and homicide rates have increasingly challenged the country’s traditionally peaceful image.
🎓 Education — #59
Strong literacy, broad public education coverage, and a skilled workforce support a solid regional position, although quality and infrastructure remain uneven.
❤️ Life Quality — #20
Costa Rica performs exceptionally well in wellbeing, healthcare, environmental quality, and social development, placing it among the strongest countries in this dimension.
Current Immigration Characteristics
• Popular destination for retirees, investors, remote workers, and lifestyle migrants
• Established Pensionado and Rentista residence pathways
• Dedicated Digital Nomad programme for foreign remote workers
• Digital nomads generally require at least US$3,000 monthly foreign income, or US$4,000 when applying with dependants
• Strong attraction for North American and European long-term residents
• Permanent residence and naturalisation remain structured, long-term pathways
Recent Developments
Security has become Costa Rica’s biggest policy challenge. President Laura Fernández’s government has pushed for tougher measures against organised crime, while disputes with the judiciary over how to respond have intensified the political debate.
Economically, the picture remains much stronger. The OECD expects GDP growth of 3.5% in 2026, supported by domestic demand and investment, following 4.6% growth in 2025.
Discover more country profiles and global mobility insights at:
Globevisa Passport Ranking
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