Can a foreigner be covered by the Costa Rican social security?
Summary: Can expats use Costa Rica's public healthcare system, CAJA?
This question was posted in the frequently asked questions section of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CAJA / CSS) website. Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social website had the following answer: "Yes, the Costa Rican social security regime is a non-exclusive regime, for those who meet the requirements established by the legal system, including foreigners, residents or inhabitants who are legally in the country can be insured under the principles of universality and solidarity."
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Immigration Help Costa RicaCosta 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.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Costa Rica Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Costa Rica
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Costa Rica
- Best Places to Live in Costa Rica
- Real Estate in Costa Rica
- Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica
- Pros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica
- Cost of Living in Costa Rica
- 10 Things to Know Before Moving to Costa Rica
- How to Buy a Home in Costa Rica
- Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica
- Chikungunya Disease in Costa Rica
- 2026 Guide to Living in Costa Rica
- Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica 2026
- 2026 Guide to Moving to Costa Rica
- Members Talk about the Cost of Living in Costa Rica

