Costa Rica
Germany
Germany visa for Costa Rican citizens
Entry requirement
No visa is needed by Costa Rican citizens for Germany, for stays of up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at san-jose.diplo.de
For longer stays: study, work and residence
Germany: visa decisions in Costa Rica
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 0.0% | 85.7% |
| 2024 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 11.1% | 90.6% |
| 2025 | 29 | 25 | 1 | 3.7% | 96.0% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in Costa Rica (San José) received 29 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 25. 3.7% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 11.1%: the rate fell by 7.4 points, a clear improvement for applicants. Applications fell by 19% compared with 2024 (36).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 0.2% of the applications lodged in Costa Rica that year. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 3rd most applied-for Schengen state in Costa Rica.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Costa Rica, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
German citizens travelling to Costa Rica
GermanyCosta Rica Visa-free, 180 days Costa Rica visa for citizens of Germany
Travel advice for Germany
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Before travelling from Costa Rica to Germany, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates Germany at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 12 May 2025) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Germany (updated 11 August 2026).
Good to know
How long Costa Rican citizens can stay in Germany
Costa Rican citizens may stay in Germany for up to 90 days. Days in Germany count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.
Germany and the Schengen area
Visa-free stays of Costa Rican citizens in Germany count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.
Germany’s neighbours for Costa Rican citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria admit Costa Rican citizens visa-free.
German citizens travelling to Costa Rica
German citizens can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days. The rule is the same in both directions between Costa Rica and Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for Germany?
No visa is needed by Costa Rican citizens for Germany, for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can Costa Rican citizens stay in Germany?
Costa Rican citizens can stay in Germany for up to 90 days, within the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180.
Do German citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
German citizens can visit Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days.
Can Costa Rican citizens enter Germany visa-free?
Yes, Costa Rican citizens can enter Germany without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.