Costa Rica vs Panama: which digital nomad visa fits you?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa and Panama Short Stay Remote Worker Visa, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.
- Income
- Same bar ($3,000/mo)
- Family
- Costa Rica: Yes · Panama: Not confirmed
- Renewable
- Costa Rica: Yes · Panama: Yes
| Costa RicaDigital Nomad Visa | PanamaShort Stay Remote Worker Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | ≈ $3,000/mo$3,000 / month | ≈ $3,000/mo$36,000 / year |
| Official rule | USD 3,000 per month (USD 4,000 per month if dependents apply too) | B/.36,000 per year (B/.3,000/month) from foreign source |
| Stay | 1 year | 9 months |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Family | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Fees | USD 100 deposit | B/.250 to SNM + B/.50 ID card |
| Official source | racsa.go.cr ↗Verified, checked Oct 18, 2026 | migracion.gob.pa ↗Verified, checked Oct 20, 2026 |
USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.
Key differences
- Both set the bar at USD 3,000 a month (Panama states it as B/.36,000 a year from a foreign source). Costa Rica raises it to USD 4,000 a month if dependants apply too.
- Costa Rica gives 1 year, extendable once for another year. Panama gives 9 months, extendable once for 9 more.
- Costa Rica applies online through DGME’s Trámite YA platform, from Costa Rica or abroad, with a decision due within 15 calendar days. Panama’s application is filed inside Panama through a lawyer with a notarised power of attorney, and needs health insurance that covers you in Panama for the whole stay.
Quick answers
Which needs less income, Costa Rica or Panama?
They set the same bar: about $3,000 a month. Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: USD 3,000 per month (USD 4,000 per month if dependents apply too) (racsa.go.cr, checked Oct 18, 2026). Panama Short Stay Remote Worker Visa: B/.36,000 per year (B/.3,000/month) from foreign source (migracion.gob.pa, checked Oct 20, 2026).
Which lets you stay longer, Costa Rica or Panama?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: 1 year. The 1-year stay can be extended once, for 1 more year. Panama Short Stay Remote Worker Visa: 9 months. Extendable once, for another 9 months.
Can I bring my family on the Costa Rica or Panama visa?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Panama Short Stay Remote Worker Visa: not confirmed on the official page we checked.
How much do the Costa Rica and Panama visas cost?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: USD 100 deposit. Panama Short Stay Remote Worker Visa: B/.250 to SNM + B/.50 ID card.
Full official notes
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Source: RACSA (state telecom running the DGME Trámite YA platform). Apply online via Trámite YA from Costa Rica or abroad; DGME decides within 15 calendar days. Stay of 1 year, extendable once for 1 more year. migracion.go.cr blocks automated access.
Sources: racsa.go.cr · racsa.go.cr
Panama Short Stay Remote Worker Visa
Extendable once for 9 months. Applied for in Panama via a lawyer (poder notariado). Health insurance valid in Panama for the whole stay, a criminal record certificate and a health certificate are required; no work for Panamanian clients or companies. Income must come from abroad.
Sources: migracion.gob.pa · propanama.gob.pa
Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify
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Panama's Short Stay Remote Worker Visa asks for health insurance
The official requirements for Panama's Short Stay Remote Worker Visa mention health insurance. SafetyWing offers nomad insurance.
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