Buying a car in a country other than your own can be a complicated experience, especially if you are not aware of the legal requirements for the transfer process, circulation rights, and vehicle technical review of the country.
In Costa Rica, buying a car, whether new or used, requires three important points, the first of which is the Public Deed. At the moment of formalizing the sale of the car, both parties must appear before a Notary Public, where he/she drafts a Public Deed of sale of the vehicle, stating the transaction and that the stamps and transfer taxes, which correspond to 3.5% of the fiscal value of the vehicle, were deposited. In addition, the Notary Public undertakes before the parties to register the Public Deed before the National Registry. Once the transfer is registered, which takes approximately two weeks, the Title Deed must be picked up at the National Registry, and the car is yours to enjoy. This title of ownership must be carried in the vehicle to prove the ownership of the vehicle and in case any authority requests such a document.
The second point is that you must take into account that the annual circulation right of the vehicle in Costa Rica receives the name “Marchamo”. This is an amount, proportional to the fiscal value of the vehicle, which must be paid between December 1 and 31st, every year.
Finally, it is also of utmost importance the Vehicle Technical Inspection, which is performed at the DEKRA company’s branches. Unlike other countries, in Costa Rica this revision must be done according to the last digit of the license plate of the vehicle, being January the date for cars with license plates ending in 1, and so on. The cost for the revision of a basic vehicle is around 8,500 colones. This amount may vary depending on the size of the vehicle.
If you have any questions regarding the transfer of vehicles or need a Notary Public with experience in this type of procedure, please contact us at and we will be glad to help you.