How do I find a trusted lawyer in Costa Rica as a foreigner?

Look for a firm registered with the Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica, with senior attorneys, bilingual service, transparent fees and a clear track record advising international clients. AG Legal has served foreign investors, expats and companies since 2000.

Do I need a Costa Rican lawyer if I already have one in my home country?

For matters governed by Costa Rican law, local counsel is often necessary or advisable, particularly when filings, registries, notarial acts or representation before Costa Rican authorities are involved. AG Legal routinely coordinates with foreign counsel.

How much does a lawyer cost in Costa Rica?

Fees depend on the matter. Some services follow the official tariff of the Colegio de Abogados; others are quoted as flat fees or hourly. AG Legal provides a written proposal with fixed scope so the cost is clear upfront.

Can a foreigner own property and start a business in Costa Rica?

Foreigners can generally own property and incorporate companies in Costa Rica, subject to the rules that apply to the asset, location and activity involved. Certain areas, such as the maritime zone, have special restrictions.

What residency options exist for foreigners in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has several immigration routes for retirees, income-based applicants, investors, remote workers, employees and family-linked applicants. AG Legal's Immigration Law practice page covers the legal service, while its Residency Guide explains the categories in detail.

Can AG Legal help with crypto, fintech or gaming businesses?

Yes. AG Legal advises on Costa Rica's new VASP framework under Law No. 10961 (SUGEF registration, AML/KYC, crypto tax) and on gambling licenses and gaming operations in Costa Rica.

Does AG Legal work with clients outside Costa Rica?

Yes. AG Legal works daily with clients in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and across Latin America. Consultations and documents are handled remotely; only steps that legally require physical presence are scheduled in person.

AG Legal · Costa Rican Law Firm · Serving International Clients Since 2000

Lawyers in Costa Rica for Investors, Expats and International Companies

AG Legal is a full-service Costa Rican law firm advising foreign investors, expats and international companies across immigration, corporate, notarial and registry, labor, intellectual property, personal injury, fintech and gaming matters. We combine local legal knowledge with bilingual service in English and Spanish and cross-border experience for clients doing business or living in Costa Rica.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

25+

Years serving international clients

EN / ES

Bilingual legal team

Core practice areas

🇨🇷 + 🌎

Local expertise, international perspective

Why Hire a Lawyer in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is one of Latin America’s most attractive jurisdictions for foreign investment, residency and business — but its legal system has specific procedures, deadlines and registries that are not obvious to outsiders. Whether you are obtaining residency, structuring a company, hiring local staff, protecting a trademark, recovering from an accident, launching a crypto business or applying for a gaming license, a Costa Rican attorney protects your interests, ensures compliance and prevents costly mistakes.

At AG Legal we work with international clients every day, so we know how to translate Costa Rican law into clear, actionable advice — in your language and on your timeline.

International recognition and directories

AG Legal is included in the U.S. Embassy’s List of Attorneys and the UK FCDO directory of English-speaking lawyers in Costa Rica. AG Legal also contributed the Costa Rica chapter of the Chambers and Partners Corporate Immigration 2026 Global Practice Guide.

The U.S. Embassy and FCDO state that inclusion in their lawyer directories is not an endorsement or recommendation.

Our Core Practice Areas

Eight areas where AG Legal delivers strategic, integrated legal counsel.

Immigration & Residency

Residency by investment, pensionado, rentista, digital nomad, work permits, family reunification and naturalization. End-to-end filing and follow-up with the immigration authority.

View Immigration Law services →

Corporate & Compliance

Company formation, shareholder structures, contracts, corporate governance, UBO reporting, ongoing compliance and cross-border structuring for international groups.

View Corporate Law services →

Labor & Employment

Employment contracts, payroll and social security (CCSS), terminations, severance, internal policies, workplace disputes and labor compliance for local and remote teams.

Get labor advice →

Intellectual Property

Trademark registration and renewal, brand protection, copyright, licensing agreements, IP enforcement and dispute resolution before the Costa Rican Registry.

Protect your IP →

Personal Injury

Tourist and resident accident claims, traffic incidents, medical and recovery coordination, insurance negotiation and compensation claims in Costa Rica.

Start a claim →

Notarial & Registry Services

Corporate deeds, powers of attorney, signature and document certifications, protocolizations, real estate closings, corporate books and registry filings for individuals, investors and companies in Costa Rica.

Request notarial assistance →

Crypto & Fintech (VASP)

Costa Rica’s new Law No. 10961: VASP registration analysis, SUGEF compliance, AML/KYC policies, cross-border structuring and crypto tax review.

Review your model →

Gaming & Online Betting

Costa Rica gambling license setup, corporate structuring, banking strategy, AML considerations and regulatory analysis for online gaming and betting operations.

Structure your operation →

How We Work With International Clients

STEP 1

Free initial consultation

We listen, scope the matter and tell you upfront whether you actually need a lawyer and what it will involve.

STEP 2

Clear written proposal

Scope, timeline, deliverables and fees in plain English — no hourly surprises.

STEP 3

Execution with updates

Direct contact with a senior attorney. We move filings forward and keep you informed at every milestone.

STEP 4

Ongoing legal partner

We stay available for the follow-up work most foreigners need: renewals, compliance, contracts, new ventures.

Useful Official Resources for Foreigners in Costa Rica

Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería — official immigration authority.
Registro Nacional Digital — property, vehicle and corporate records.
Marchamo (Vehicle Tax) — Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS).
Ministerio de Hacienda — Costa Rican tax authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a trusted lawyer in Costa Rica as a foreigner?: Look for a firm registered with the Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica, with senior attorneys (not interns), bilingual service, transparent fees and a clear track record advising international clients. AG Legal meets these standards and has served foreign investors, expats and companies since 2000.
Do I need a Costa Rican lawyer if I already have one in my home country?: For matters governed by Costa Rican law, local counsel is often necessary or advisable, particularly when filings, registries, notarial acts or representation before Costa Rican authorities are involved. AG Legal routinely coordinates with U.S., Canadian and European counsel.
How much does a lawyer cost in Costa Rica?: Fees depend on the matter. Some services follow the official tariff of the Colegio de Abogados (notarial acts, real estate, etc.); others are quoted as flat fees or hourly. AG Legal always provides a written proposal with fixed scope so you know the cost upfront.
Can a foreigner own property and start a business in Costa Rica?: Foreigners can generally own property and incorporate companies in Costa Rica, subject to the rules that apply to the asset, location and activity involved. Certain areas, such as the maritime zone, have special restrictions. The ownership structure should be reviewed together with tax, succession, immigration and compliance considerations.
What residency options exist for foreigners in Costa Rica?: Costa Rica has several immigration routes for retirees, income-based applicants, investors, remote workers, employees and family-linked applicants. For the legal service itself, see our Immigration Law practice page; for category-by-category guidance, use our Costa Rica Residency Guide.
Can AG Legal help with crypto, fintech or gaming businesses?: Yes. We advise on Costa Rica’s new VASP framework under Law No. 10961 (SUGEF registration, AML/KYC, crypto tax) and on gambling licenses and gaming operations in Costa Rica.
Does AG Legal work with clients outside Costa Rica?: Yes. We work daily with clients in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and across Latin America. Consultations and documents are handled remotely; only steps that legally require physical presence are scheduled in person.

About AG Legal & our Managing Partner (click to expand)

AG Legal was founded in 2000 by Gonzalo Gutiérrez Acevedo, Managing Partner and certified Notary Public. With more than three decades of practice, the firm has built a reputation advising international investors, expats and companies across corporate, tax, real estate, immigration, IP, labor and litigation matters in Costa Rica.

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AG Legal — Costa Rican law firm. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every matter should be reviewed individually.

Lawyers in Costa Rica: Real Estate, Immigration & Corporate Specialists