As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
We asked expats in Costa Rica if they have access to public healthcare in Costa Rica. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...
"You will not be covered by the socialized health system until you have gained Temporary Residency which is presently taking over a year. Then, you will have to pay at least $220 per month for healthcare, even if you don't use it. Most expats chose to purchase additional insurance," explained one expat living in Costa Rica.
"I am eligible to enroll in the public health system. To do so, the expat must have their legal residence. The amount of the voluntary insurance is about US $ 40 a month (US $ 480 a year), and the registration process is simple. Generally, expats insure themselves, since it is an advantage to have a fairly wide network of public hospitals. Pre-existing conditions are covered. The quality of the public health service is debatable, as the times to get medical appointments are sometimes very long," said another in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.
Connect
Costa Rica Legal Residency is an articulately bi-lingual boutique firm with 15 + years of successful experience and exclusive focus on Costa Rica Temporary and Permanent Residency, Renewals, Digital Nomad, and Citizenship. Located minutes from the Department of Immigration.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Costa Rica Legal Residency is an articulately bi-lingual boutique firm with 15 + years of successful experience and exclusive focus on Costa Rica Temporary and Permanent Residency, Renewals, Digital Nomad, and Citizenship. Located minutes from the Department of Immigration.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Please login to continue reading this article.
Not a member? Join Today (it's free).
Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Costa Rica?
- How do I find a place to live in Costa Rica?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Costa Rica?
- What is the average cost of housing in Costa Rica?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Costa Rica?
- What should I pack when moving to Costa Rica?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Costa Rica?
- Why do people move to Costa Rica?
- What are healthcare services like in Costa Rica?
- What are medical services in Costa Rica like?
- What are typical rents in Costa Rica?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
If you live in Costa Rica, newcomers to Costa Rica would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.