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What will this property really cost you? Every closing fee in Costa Rica — in seconds.

Q: How much are closing costs in Costa Rica?

For a standard residential purchase, closing costs are usually around 3.5%–4.5% of the price: a 1.5% transfer tax, roughly 0.5% in National Registry fees, about 0.55% in documentary stamps, and 1%–2% in notary and legal fees. Optional services like escrow, a title study, or holding the property in a corporation add a little more.

Q: Who pays closing costs in Costa Rica — buyer or seller?

The transfer tax is legally the buyer's, and in practice buyers most often cover the full closing costs. They are negotiable, and it is common to split them with the seller. The seller typically pays the real estate commission and any capital gains tax.

Q: What is the property transfer tax in Costa Rica?

It is 1.5% of the property's value, applied to the higher of the purchase price or the registered fiscal value, and it is set by law.

Q: Does the seller pay capital gains tax in Costa Rica?

Since 2019, Costa Rica charges 15% capital gains tax on the profit from a sale. A primary residence may be exempt.

Q: Are these closing-cost figures exact?

They are 2026 estimates for planning. The acting notary sets the final amounts based on the registered value and the specifics of the transaction.

Foreign buyers get blindsided by Costa Rica closing costs. Enter a price and see the full breakdown — transfer tax, stamps, notary, the optional extras — then download it as a clean PDF. Selling? See exactly what you walk away with.

Real 2026 figures Itemized & transparent Downloadable PDF A local team behind it

Purchase price (USD)

$50K$3M

Optional services

Escrow service

Neutral third party holds funds until closing — recommended for foreign buyers.

~0.15%

Legal due diligence / title study

Confirms clean title, no liens, correct boundaries.

$450

Survey / plano catastrado

Updated registered survey of the parcel.

$350

Hold in a corporation (S.A. / SRL)

Many foreign buyers title through a CR company.

$700

Document translation

Certified EN/ES translation of closing documents.

$250

What are the mandatory costs?

Transfer tax 1.5% (Impuesto de Traspaso, paid by buyer by law) · National Registry fee 0.5% · Documentary stamps 0.55% (municipal, fiscal, agrarian, bar-association & registry stamps) · Notary & legal fees 1.5%. These are typical 2026 figures applied to the higher of price or registered fiscal value — your notary confirms the exact amounts.

Your estimate

Total cash to close

$469,200

$19,200 in costs · 4.3% of price

Estimate only, for planning. Final amounts are set by your notary from the registered fiscal value and the specifics of your deal. Real Estate Grupo gives you exact figures.

The detail

Understanding Costa Rica closing costs

Costa Rica closing costs typically run about 3.5%–4.5% of the purchase price. Most of it is fixed by law — the 1.5% transfer tax, National Registry fees and documentary stamps — and the rest covers notary and legal work. Here are the questions buyers and sellers ask us most.

How much are closing costs in Costa Rica?

Who pays closing costs in Costa Rica — buyer or seller?

What is the property transfer tax in Costa Rica?

Does the seller pay capital gains tax in Costa Rica?

Are these closing-cost figures exact?

Next step

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