🇪🇸Spain

🇨🇷Costa RicaES-CR

Spain to Costa Rica visa requirements

Q: How long can I stay in Costa Rica without a visa?

Up to 180 days. The exact number of days is set by the immigration officer at entry, but Group 1 nationals are typically granted the full 180.

Q: Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply to Costa Rica?

No. Costa Rica is not in the Schengen area, so neither the 90/180 short-stay rule nor ETIAS applies to entering Costa Rica. ETIAS only concerns Costa Rican citizens traveling to Europe.

Q: What do I need to show on arrival?

A valid passport, a confirmed return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds (around USD 100 per month), and ideally your first-night accommodation details.

Q: Can I work or live in Costa Rica on this visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry is for tourism and short visits only. Working or residing requires a residence permit or appropriate visa obtained in advance through Costa Rican immigration.

Spanish ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Costa Rica. Spain is in Costa Rica's Group 1 (visa-exempt), allowing visa-free entry for up to 180 days. Spain is classified in Group 1 of Costa Rica's visa policy, the most privileged tier, which grants visa-free tourist entry for stays of up to 180 days (the maximum granted at the immigration officer's discretion). Costa Rica is NOT in the Schengen area; it is an independent Central American country, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to entering Costa Rica (ETIAS only affects Costa Ricans traveling TO Europe). A Spanish citizen simply arrives with a valid ordinary passport and is admitted with an entry stamp. Costa Rica's November 2025 visa update (effective from late 2025) tightened rules for Group 3 and 4 nationals but left Group 1 (including Spain and all EU states) unchanged. Practical entry conditions still apply: a passport valid for the duration of stay (Group 1 only needs one day of validity on arrival, but the stay cannot exceed passport expiry), proof of onward/return travel, proof of sufficient funds (guideline around USD 100 per month of stay), and accommodation details. There is no visa fee. The actual number of days granted (commonly the full 180) is at the immigration officer's discretion. Travelers should always carry an onward ticket, as Costa Rican authorities routinely check this and airlines may deny boarding without it.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free entry (no visa required; entry stamp on arrival)

Maximum stay

Up to 180 days (granted at officer's discretion)

per entry

Entries

Multiple (each visit re-assessed on arrival)

from issue date

Visa fee

0 (no visa fee)

consular fee only

Processing time

None - admission at the border on arrival

standard track

Validity

Per-trip; entry stamp valid for the stay granted, max 180 days

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your passport is in good condition

Carry a valid Spanish ordinary passport with blank pages for the entry stamp. Group 1 nationals technically need only one day of validity on arrival, but your stay cannot extend beyond the passport's expiry date, so a passport valid for your whole trip is strongly advised. The Spanish DNI is not accepted.

· Passport· Group 1

/02

Book proof of onward or return travel

Costa Rican immigration and airlines require evidence you will leave before your authorized stay ends. Have a confirmed return or onward ticket ready to show at check-in and on arrival.

· Onward ticket· Required

/03

Prepare proof of funds and accommodation

Be ready to show sufficient funds (guideline roughly USD 100 per month of stay) and details of where you will stay for at least your first night.

· Funds· Accommodation

/04

Check yellow fever requirement if transiting risk areas

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you are arriving from or have recently been in a country at risk of yellow fever transmission. Direct travel from Spain does not require it.

· Yellow fever· Conditional

/05

Fly to Costa Rica and clear immigration

On arrival at San Jose (SJO), Liberia (LIR) or a land/sea border, present your passport and onward ticket. The officer stamps you in for a stay of up to 180 days. No visa, no eVisa, no fee.

· Arrival· Entry stamp

/06

Track your authorized days

The stamp shows the date by which you must leave. Overstaying can result in fines and entry refusal on future visits. To stay longer than granted, contact the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria.

· Overstay· Compliance

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Spain -> Costa Rica · Visa-free entry (no visa required; entry stamp on arrival)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredValid Spanish ordinary passport (valid for your full stay; in good condition with blank pages)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed return or onward travel ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of sufficient funds (approx. USD 100 per month of stay)

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

required

RecommendedAccommodation details for at least the first night