top of page

​​LEGAL INFO ABOUT PURCHASING IN COSTA RICA

TYPES OF REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP IN COSTA RICA

​

​

FEE SIMPLE TITLE

​

  • Ownership and Transfer: Fee simple title is the most comprehensive form of property ownership in Costa Rica. All transactions involving this type of ownership must be formalized through a public deed by a Costa Rican notary public and registered at the Public Registry.

  • Rights and Restrictions: Except for properties in the maritime zone, fee simple properties can be freely owned and transferred. Foreign individuals and corporations face no restrictions on acquiring fee simple title, but there are limitations on foreign ownership of maritime zone concessions.

​

​

REAL ESTATE CONCESSION (MARITIME ZONE)

​

  • Maritime Zone Definition: This refers to a 200-meter-wide strip of land along the coastline, beginning at the median high-tide line. These properties, with few exceptions, cannot be privately owned or transferred as fee simple title.

  • Concession Rights: Concessions allow private individuals or entities to use and enjoy this land under terms governed by the Maritime Zone Law. The concession is an administrative lease granted by the government, through the local municipality, for a period of 5 to 20 years.

  • Special Case – Gulf of Papagayo Tourism Project: Concessions in this area differ significantly from standard maritime zone concessions. Key distinctions include:

    • No restrictions on foreign ownership.

    • Longer concession terms (typically 50 to 99 years).

    • A master plan and additional rules apply to all property owners in this area, even those not under a condominium regime.

​

​

UNTITLED POSSESSION

​

  • Adverse Possession: Costa Rican law recognizes rights for individuals who have openly and peacefully occupied land for at least 10 years. For rural properties, the required possession period may be as short as one year.

  • Registration: These possession rights are not recorded in the Public Registry.

​

​​

CONDOMINIUM REAL ESTATE

​

  • Ownership Structure: Condominium ownership combines exclusive rights over a specific unit (such as a residence or business space) with shared ownership of common areas (like elevators, parking lots, and swimming pools).

  • Shared Use: The common elements are jointly owned and used by all unit owners within the condominium development.

bottom of page