Study abroad in Costa Rica: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is intended for the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Costa Rica is not among them. Tourist stays of up to 180 days are possible without a visa. For study, a residence permit must be applied for at the Costa Rican embassy in Berlin before you enter. The DAAD sets a scholarship rate of 825 euros for students in Costa Rica.
Study abroad in Costa Rica at a glance
| Item | Details (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC is not intended for Costa Rica. The German Federal Foreign Office strongly advises health cover with repatriation insurance | European Commission, German Federal Foreign Office |
| Visa | Tourist stays of up to 180 days without a visa. For study, a residence permit must be applied for at the embassy in Berlin before entry | German Federal Foreign Office |
| Travel document | Passport or provisional passport accepted, the ID card is not | German Federal Foreign Office |
| Living costs | DAAD scholarship rate of 825 euros as a guide, not a budget. The list names no period | DAAD, scholarship rates (undated) |
| Auslands-BAföG (German study abroad grant) | Responsible office according to German Student Services: Studierendenwerk Bremen, telephone 0421/2201-0 | German Student Services (DSW), leaflet (January 2026) |
All details are general information, not individual advice. The linked official pages are authoritative.
How are you insured in Costa Rica?
European Health Insurance Card and social security agreement
The EHIC does not apply in Costa Rica. The European Commission’s FAQ names the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland as the countries for which the card is intended. Costa Rica is not listed, so you cannot rely on the card there. We found no proven social security agreement with Costa Rica that covers health insurance, so we do not name one.
Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing what cover it gives you in Costa Rica before you sign the learning agreement. The basics for privately insured students are in our guide Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German).
Health care and vaccinations
The Federal Foreign Office points out that costs for assistance measures under the German Consular Act can be charged. Direct entry from Germany requires no vaccination. You must show proof of yellow fever vaccination if you enter from certain yellow fever countries. The Federal Foreign Office recommends hepatitis A. Depending on your risk, chikungunya, dengue, hepatitis B and rabies are added, along with the STIKO standard vaccinations.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The Federal Foreign Office recommends travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance in Costa Rica, and strongly advises cover with repatriation insurance. What you need depends on your policy, your university and the length of your stay. For background, see Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German). Students with private health insurance outside the EU can also read PKV for students in non-EU countries (in German).
Do you need a visa for Costa Rica?
For tourist stays of up to 180 days you need no visa with a German passport. For longer stays or another purpose, such as study, the Federal Foreign Office says a residence permit must be applied for at the responsible Costa Rican embassy in Berlin before entry. The Federal Foreign Office’s travel and safety advice sets out the entry rules for German citizens (page as of 25 October 2026):
- Passport or provisional passport are accepted. The ID card is not named and is therefore not accepted
- Tourist stays of up to 180 days are possible without a visa. Anyone who overstays may be refused re-entry or deported
- For longer stays and other purposes such as study, internship or volunteer service, the residence permit must be applied for before entry at the Costa Rican embassy in Berlin
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is no travel warning for Costa Rica (page as of 25 October 2026). The situation in the country is generally calm, but smaller demonstrations and strikes can happen, especially in San José. According to the page, violent crime has risen nationwide, and pickpocketing is common.
What does a semester in Costa Rica cost?
Tuition fees
Which fees the host university charges depends on your home university’s exchange agreement. We do not name a general amount, because we found no official statement on it. Ask your home university and the host university before you accept a place.
Living costs
We found no official or university figure for living costs in Costa Rica. As a guide, the DAAD’s scholarship list sets a scholarship rate of 825 euros for students in Costa Rica. The list is undated and names no period, so the amount is a guide, not a budget. Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
The European Commission lists Costa Rica in region 10, Latin America, among third countries not associated with the programme. These countries can take part in certain actions under specific conditions. Part B of the programme guide sets out which action applies to students. Ask your international office. More in our guide Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad (in German).
Auslands-BAföG, the German study abroad grant, is available for part of a degree abroad. According to German Student Services (DSW), the Studierendenwerk Bremen, Office for Educational Funding, is responsible for America excluding Canada and the USA, telephone 0421/2201-0. The leaflet (as of January 2026) requires at least one year of study in Germany before going abroad outside the EU and Switzerland. Funding there is generally limited to two semesters, in rare cases up to five. Details are in Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German).
The BAföG study abroad supplement ordinance provides, for study outside the EU and Switzerland, a supplement where purchasing power at the place of study is lower than in Germany. It is calculated as a percentage of the need set by the Federal Foreign Office. We found no specific percentage for Costa Rica. The ordinance caps tuition fees at 5,600 euros per year and provides a travel allowance of 500 euros per journey from outside Europe. The DSW leaflet mentions a monthly supplement, which may be possible in some cases.
A worked example is omitted, because the DAAD list does not say for which period the scholarship rate applies, and the other amounts are not proven.
Steps before you leave
- Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing what cover you have in Costa Rica before you sign the learning agreement.
- Take out travel health insurance with repatriation cover for the whole length of your stay.
- For study, apply for the residence permit at the Costa Rican embassy in Berlin well before you enter.
- Keep your passport ready and check that it is valid for the whole length of your stay.
- Have your vaccinations checked by a doctor. Hepatitis A and the STIKO standard vaccinations should be up to date, and a yellow fever certificate is required when entering from certain yellow fever countries.
- If you receive funding, submit your Auslands-BAföG application to the Studierendenwerk Bremen about six months before you start.
- Read the Federal Foreign Office’s travel and safety advice for Costa Rica, especially on demonstrations and strikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is my European Health Insurance Card valid in Costa Rica?
No. The card is intended for the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and Costa Rica is not named. The Federal Foreign Office strongly advises cover with repatriation insurance.
Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?
Not for tourist stays of up to 180 days. For study, a residence permit must be applied for at the Costa Rican embassy in Berlin before entry, according to the Federal Foreign Office.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Costa Rica?
That depends on your home university’s exchange agreement. We do not name a general amount, because we found no official statement on it.
What are living costs in Costa Rica?
We found no proven monthly figure. The DAAD sets a scholarship rate of 825 euros for students in Costa Rica as a guide. Ask your host university about its budget.
Is there a travel warning for Costa Rica?
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is no travel warning for Costa Rica. Demonstrations and strikes are possible. The current page of the Federal Foreign Office is authoritative.
Who handles Auslands-BAföG for Costa Rica?
According to the German Student Services, the Studierendenwerk Bremen, Office for Educational Funding, is responsible for America excluding Canada and the USA.
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office, Costa Rica: travel and safety advice (page as of 25 October 2026)
- European Commission, social security FAQ: European Health Insurance Card (undated)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ Programme Guide Part A: eligible countries (undated)
- German Student Services, Auslands-BAföG leaflet (as of January 2026, in German)
- DAAD, scholarship rates for students and graduates (undated, in German)
- BAföG study abroad supplement ordinance, gesetze-im-internet.de (last amended 15 July 2022, in German)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related guides
- Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German)
- PKV for students in non-EU countries (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German)
- Semester abroad in Brazil (in German)
- Semester abroad in Panama (in German)
- All countries for your semester abroad (in German)
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
