How to Register for Social Security in Costa Rica: Step-By-Step Guide

Part of our goal at Quatro Legal is to provide our clients with the smoothest experience for their social security registration. This is a very important requirement to get a residency card in Costa Rica and it’s also established in the approval resolution by the immigration directorate.

What to Know about Social Security in Costa Rica

Social security is managed by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, an autonomous public institution. This fund, also known as Caja, has a nationwide presence and will provide complete medical care in exchange of a monthly fee. Here are five steps you need to know for Caja registration.

Five Steps for Caja Registration in Costa Rica

1. Registration at the Nearest Office

First, primary applicants must be registered at the nearest office or sucursal from where they live.

We understand that sometimes our clients don’t have an address here in Costa Rica, but our vast experience in the process provides options for all. We review and personalize our client’s situation and provide all the information needed so the process can be as transparent as possible. Primary applicants will have to meet with me or any of our service providers in any of the 75 Caja bureaus across the country.

The requirements will be provided by us and we will guide you every step of the way. This registration will take at least one hour of your time depending on the amount of people in line.

2. Register Dependents at the Nearest Local Clinic

Dependents must be registered at the nearest local clinic. Under no circumstance, the dependents can be registered at the same CAJA office that the primary applicant was registered in.

A lot of times the process is different depending on the clinic. Some of them only register once a week, while others have full availability. Some of them require specific documents, and some of them don’t. Since we have providers across the country that understand how every clinic works, our knowledge in the process will make our clients feel safe that they took the best decision to complete their residency with us.

3. Pay Your Monthly Fee

A monthly fee will have to be paid to enjoy social security benefits. This fee will depend on the migratory category of the primary applicant. For example, retirees, renters, or investors. Retirees will be registered with their pension later. Renters with the rent income and investors with the property they invested in.

This is one of the most discussed topics regarding Caja registration that we will dive in in our next registration video. Children under the age of 18 are not required to be registered in Caja since they are covered by the state.

4. Schedule Your DIMAX Appointment

As soon as the primary applicants and their dependents are registered, we have to schedule the DIMAX appointment so they can get their residency cards, also known as DIMAX cards. Their social security registration must be active for as long as our clients have their residency in Costa Rica.

5. Consider Additional Caja Services

We also provide other services related with Caja registration, such as the readjustment of the income that was considered for the initial registration, access to the virtual office, renewal of family benefits, and more.

Looking for legal counsel you can trust to make your relocation to Costa Rica easier and more rewarding? Get in touch today.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws and regulations are subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact our office directly. Some images may be AI generated.