Costa Rica entry requirements for Greece passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 18, 2026·View sources
No visa required
180 days
Max stay
180 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Greek passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa for tourism or business stays up to 180 days. This policy remains unchanged in 2026. At the border, you just need to meet a few straightforward entry requirements.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Greek passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Costa Rica. Airlines at Athens and connecting hubs check this before boarding — no 6-month rule here, just cover your stay. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Costa Rica | Immigration officers at Juan Santamaría Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they check this before stamping you in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from a host covers this — keep a copy handy. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Costa Rica doesn't publish a fixed amount, but having a bank statement or credit card showing at least $500 USD for a short trip avoids any questions. ATMs are widely available in San José and tourist areas. | Recommended |
Check your passport expiry date now
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Costa Rica. If it expires sooner, you'll be turned away at the gate. Renew early — it takes weeks.
Keep your departure slip
When you enter, immigration will give you a small paper slip (the 'tarjeta de ingreso'). Don't lose it — you'll need to hand it back when you leave. Hotels sometimes ask for a copy too.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare documents before travel
Check your passport validity (6+ months from entry date), print or save your return ticket, hotel booking, and travel insurance. Download an eSIM or buy a local SIM at the airport if you want data immediately.
2
Arrive at Costa Rica airport (SJO or LIR)
At Juan Santamaría (San José) or Daniel Oduber (Liberia), follow signs to 'Migración' for foreign visitors. Join the line for non-residents. Have your passport and supporting documents ready.
3
Present documents to immigration officer
Hand over your passport, return ticket, and any other requested documents. The officer may ask a few questions (purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying). Answer briefly and honestly.
4
Receive entry stamp and proceed
The officer will stamp your passport with the number of days granted (usually 90 or 180). Check the stamp before leaving the counter. Then collect your luggage and head to customs.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Greece Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable 90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (consular fee)
Apply at Costa Rican embassy/consulate; allows longer stay than visa-free.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$60 USD
For frequent travellers; must apply at embassy.
Long-stay visa (rentista)
Max stay2 years, renewable
Validity2 years
Cost~$250 USD (application fee)
Requires proof of steady income from abroad (e.g., pension, investments).
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee
For remote workers with stable income from abroad (minimum $2,500/month). No local tax on foreign income.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
~$250 USD application fee + investment
Requires investment of at least $200,000 in Costa Rican real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave and re-enter. | Not available |
| Overstay fineOverstay fines are assessed at immigration upon departure; exact amount varies. | ~$100 USD per month (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Costa Rica
No transit visa needed
Greece passport holders do not need a transit visa for Costa Rica. You may transit airside without a visa for up to 12 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Transit hubsJuan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Health & vaccines for Costa Rica
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubellaEssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks occur.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas near borders (Nicaragua, Panama) and in low-altitude regions. Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San José
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
La Uruca, San José, Costa Rica
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency applications.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle 1, Avenida 3, Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions for travellers in Guanacaste region.
Practical information for GR travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan José
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyCosta Rican colón (CRC)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 454.93 CRC
Time zone
Local timeUTC-6
vs New York-1h
vs Los Angeles+1h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B (same as US/Canada)
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is generally not safe for tourists; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, the 180-day visa-free period is not extendable for Greek passport holders. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave Costa Rica for at least 72 hours and re-enter, but immigration may question frequent back-to-back visits. For longer stays, consider applying for a temporary residency visa through the Costa Rican embassy before travel.
Only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of South America or Africa). If you're flying directly from Greece or another European country, no vaccine is required. Check the CDC or WHO list before travel.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined approximately $100 per month (or part thereof) when you leave, and you may be banned from re-entering for a period. Always leave before your stamp expires.
Technically, the visa-free entry is for tourism or business (meetings, conferences). Remote work for a foreign employer is in a grey area. Costa Rica has a 'Digital Nomad' visa (rentista) for stays up to 1 year, but it requires application in advance. For short stays, most people work remotely without issues, but it's not officially permitted.
No, there is no mandatory online arrival declaration for Greek passport holders. You just fill out a simple paper form on the plane or at immigration. Keep the departure slip they give you — you'll need it when leaving.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Costa Rican immigration. Renew your passport before travel. There are no exceptions for short stays.
No, it's not a legal requirement for entry, but it's strongly recommended. Medical costs in Costa Rica can be high — a hospital visit for a broken leg can easily exceed $5,000. Get a policy that covers medical evacuation.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.