Costa Rica vs Spain: which nomad visa wins?
Costa Rica is easier to qualify for, Costa Rica is lighter on tax, and Costa Ricais cheaper day to day. Here's the full breakdown — then model it with your own income.
Updated June 2026 · figures in USD for a single applicant.
| Metric | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 🇪🇸 Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Income needed (single) | $3,000/mo | $3,105/mo |
| Tax on foreign income | 0% | Up to 24% |
| Special tax regime | — | Beckham Law |
| Path to citizenship | No residency path | Citizenship in 10y |
| Comfortable budget (solo) | $1,904/mo | $2,266/mo |
| Visa length | 1 year | 1 year |
| Safety index | 60/100 | 75/100 |
| Internet | 80 Mbps | 210 Mbps |
| English | Moderate | Moderate |
| Region | Americas | Europe |
See it with your numbers
Set your household, how you earn and your income — both countries recompute live.
Optional — unlocks age- and savings-gated visas (retirement, youth-mobility, golden visas).
Live — adjust who's going, how you earn and your income above and both columns update.
Effective tax at different incomes
Approximate all-in rate for a solo employee who becomes tax-resident.
| Monthly income | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 🇪🇸 Spain |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000/mo | 0.0% | 24.0% |
| $6,000/mo | 0.0% | 24.0% |
| $12,000/mo | 0.0% | 24.0% |
Choose 🇨🇷 Costa Rica if…
Pura vida with a tax exemption: stable, safe and stunning, Costa Rica trades rock-bottom prices for nature, calm and zero tax on what you earn abroad.
- Foreign income is fully tax-exempt.
- Duty-free import of your work gear.
- Stable, peaceful and famously green.
Choose 🇪🇸 Spain if…
Sun, healthcare and a genuinely attractive 24% flat tax for remote employees make Spain a heavyweight — provided you can navigate the Beckham eligibility rules.
- Flat 24% tax for up to six years via the Beckham regime.
- Excellent healthcare and lifestyle for the cost.
- 3-year residence track renewable to five.
Want the numbers for your income and family, with more countries?
Costa Rica vs Spain: FAQ
Is Costa Rica or Spain better for digital nomads?
Costa Rica has the lower income bar, Costa Rica taxes foreign income more lightly, and Costa Rica is cheaper to live in. Spain offers the faster route to citizenship.
How much income do you need for Costa Rica vs Spain?
Costa Rica requires about $3,000/mo for a single applicant; Spain requires about $3,105/mo.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Costa Rica or Spain?
Costa Rica: The DNV grants a clean exemption on foreign-earned income plus duty-free import of work equipment. — Spain: Without the Beckham election, residents pay progressive IRPF up to ~47%.
Figures are 2026 planning estimates in USD for a single applicant. Confirm details on each country's official source before applying.