Costa Rica · Citizenship
Costa Rica citizenship for Americans: how many years, and can you keep US citizenship?
Short answer
At least 7 years of legal residence, then Spanish and social-studies exams. You sign a statement renouncing your other nationality.
The rules
| Timeline | At least 7 years of legal residence, then apply |
|---|---|
| Dual citizenship | No: you sign a statement renouncing your US nationality. Whether the US accepts that is a US-law question. |
Checked against the law The 7-year rule, the marriage route and the exams, in the Constitution.
Not yet verified Whether every part of this timeline is confirmed at the official source, including the renunciation statement.
Good to know
- 7 years of legal residence: which years count, and how absences are treated, Not yet verified
- Remote-worker years: that status isn't residence, so it may not count Not established yet
- Shorter clock: 2 years of residence after 2 years of marriage to a Costa Rican.
- Exams: speak, read and write Spanish, and pass Spanish and social-studies tests; older adults are exempt.
- Good conduct and a known income, plus a promise to live in Costa Rica and an oath.
- Cost: free, apart from a small tax stamp; the decision takes up to 285 business days.
Sources (4)
Legal basis and exact figures
- Clock: US nationals fall under 'demás extranjeros': at least 7 years 'residido oficialmente' (Constitution art 14(3)); 5 years only for Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth (14(2)); 2 years of marriage to a Costa Rican plus 2 years' residence (14(5)). Whether temporary-residence years count from the grant date, and absence limits, aren't confirmed in the TSE naturalisation regulation. The Ley 10008 estancia is non-resident and isn't established as counting.
- Requirements: good conduct, known means of living, Spanish, MEP Spanish and social-studies exams (older adults exempt per the TSE sheet), promise to reside regularly and oath (art 15; Ley 1155 art 11).
- Renunciation: Ley 1155 art 11 requires a written statement renouncing the prior nationality unless a dual-nationality treaty exists; Costa Rican nationality itself can't be lost (art 16). Its effect under US law needs separate US-law analysis.
- Fee and time: the TSE service is free apart from a ¢200 fiscal stamp; stated resolution period 285 business days.
Links
Citizenship in Costa Rica, in full → The full Costa Rica guide →
Questions people ask
How many years until I can become a citizen of Costa Rica?
At least 7 years of legal residence, then apply
Can I keep US citizenship if I become a citizen of Costa Rica?
No: you sign a statement renouncing your US nationality. Whether the US accepts that is a US-law question.