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Costa Rica Relocation for Private Clients (individuals and families) Who Value Privacy, Structure and Certainty
Residency, legal structuring, property acquisition and banking access handled end-to-end with precision and discretion.

We typically work with clients who are seriously considering relocation, investment or short and long-term residency in Costa Rica.

If you are a CEO, founder, high-net-worth individual, international professional, digital nomad or retiree considering life in Nosara, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, San Jose, Conchal, Papagayo, Puerto Viejo, Nuevo Arenal, or elsewhere in Costa Rica, your decision requires more than immigration paperwork. It requires a safe, professional, ethical and trusted legal structure designed to protect your rights, privacy, assets and plans.

Relocating to Costa Rica often involves immigration law, corporate structuring, banking compliance, property acquisition and, in some cases, dispute resolution. Addressing these areas separately increases legal and financial risk.

My practice focuses on integrated legal strategies that align residency status, investments, business activities and personal security under a single, coherent legal framework.

This service is intentionally personal and confidential. I do not operate as a high-volume immigration firm.

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Who This Legal Service Is Designed For

This practice is tailored for individuals and families who require discretion, predictability and results, including persons that:

• Value privacy, fix prices (no fee per hour) and controlled exposure
• Require clear legal structures, not improvisation
• Prefer one trusted point of contact
• Expect confidentiality as a baseline

My clients include:

• Families that are looking to take care of their loved ones.
• CEOs and senior executives of multinational companies
• Digital Nomads wanting a work-life balance
• Founders whose companies were later acquired by Big Tech
• Investors and high-net-worth individuals
• Public-facing professionals and content creators with global audiences
• Families relocating with or without assets
• Individuals managing cross-border legal or financial exposure

Each engagement is handled personally, with controlled communication and strict confidentiality. I only work with clients that I can feel proud of representing.

Luxury house with a backyard swimming pool, outdoor lounge chairs, and a thatched-roof gazebo with hanging hammocks.
A peaceful beach scene during sunset with gentle waves washing onto the dark sandy shore, a tree-covered hillside on the right, and a clear sky transitioning from light to darker shades.

A Discreet, Integrated Legal Approach

Relocation and investment decisions are long-term decisions. My role is to ensure that every legal element involved in your move to Costa Rica is structured to reduce exposure, comply with regulations and provide stability over time.

When we work together, you’re not only hiring legal counsel. You’re gaining access to a trusted local network built over years. That often means:

• Introductions to bankers who actually understand expats
• Connections to other founders in your industry
• Connections to other families navigating similar situations
• Real estate contacts who respect privacy and are offering quality properties
• Straight answers when something doesn’t make sense

Check out the “Legal and Lifestyle Guide by Simple Legal Consulting - Costa Rica Immigration Lawyers”.

Costa Rica Immigration & Investment Lawyer for Families, Digital Nomads, Executives and Investors
Let me introduce myself.

My full name is Herman Manuel Duarte Iraheta, an immigration and investment lawyer with around 15 years of legal experience assisting hundreds of families, professionals and entrepreneurs in relocating to Costa Rica.

I hold master’s degrees from London School of Economics and Stockholm University, and I am a licensed attorney in Costa Rica under Attorney Code 23233, verifiable through the Costa Rican Bar Association.

I have authored  two books and over 200 publications in written press, and regularly participate in podcasts, and dictated conferences in more than 12 countries, interviews and legal discussions related to immigration, human and animal rights, real estate and investment in Costa Rica among many other topics. I am also listed as a recommended lawyer by the United Kingdom Embassy in Costa Rica.

My practice is intentionally selective to ensure availability, discretion and personal involvement in every matter. If you would like to explore your legal options in a private, structured and confidential setting, I invite you to schedule a consultation.

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What I Manage on Your Behalf (Legal Services)

  • Residency and Visa Applications in Costa Rica

    I advise and represent clients in all major Costa Rican immigration categories, including Investor Residency, Rentista Residency, Digital Nomad Visa and Family-Based Residency. For in depth information of each category: CLICK

    Each case is approached strategically, with a clear legal pathway, realistic timelines and full representation before immigration authorities.

  • Due Diligence for Property Purchases

    I conduct comprehensive legal due diligence for the acquisition of Costa Rican companies, real estate and investment assets. This includes verification of ownership, liens, corporate compliance, regulatory status and risk exposure.

    Read our practical guide for investing in Costa Rica: CLICK

  • Bank Account Setup and Financial Structuring

    I assist clients throughout the Costa Rican bank account opening process, coordinating documentation, compliance requirements and institutional expectations. This service is particularly relevant for foreign nationals, investors and corporate structures.

  • Property Closings and Notarial Services

    Together with my notary team, I handle property closings, escrow coordination, title transfers and registration before Costa Rican authorities, ensuring secure and legally sound transactions.

  • Negotiations, Judicial and Arbitral Representation

    When disputes arise, I represent clients in negotiations, judicial proceedings and arbitration, both domestic and international, with a strategic and proportional approach focused on resolution and confidentiality.

  • Creation and Legal Structuring of Companies

    I create and structure Costa Rican corporations and legal entities aligned with your personal or business objectives. This includes company incorporation, drafting bylaws and shareholder agreements, appointing legal representatives and ensuring regulatory and tax compliance from the outset.

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CHOOSE YOUR PATH

  • Investor Residency

    For individuals seeking residency through capital deployment and long-term positioning in Costa Rica.

    Designed for those investing USD $150,000+ in real estate, business or qualifying assets, with a focus on legal certainty, asset structuring and future flexibility.

    What we handle:

    • Investment structuring aligned with immigration requirements

    • Residency application and compliance

    • Property acquisition and due diligence (if applicable)

    • Corporate structuring and tax considerations

    • Banking and fund traceability strategy

    Best suited for:
    Investors, entrepreneurs and individuals relocating with a capital-based strategy.

  • Rentista Residency

    For individuals relocating based on stable passive income or structured financial deposits.

    Ideal for those with consistent income streams or the ability to structure a USD $60,000 bank deposit to support residency over time.

    What we handle:

    • Financial structuring for eligibility

    • Bank account coordination and compliance

    • Residency application and documentation

    • Income validation and legal strategy

    • End-to-end process management

    Best suited for:
    Individuals with passive income, retirees or those seeking a structured relocation without active business involvement.

  • Digital Nomad

    For remote professionals seeking a fast and flexible legal pathway to live in Costa Rica.

    A streamlined option for individuals earning income abroad who want legal stay, banking access and operational clarity.

    What we handle:

    • Digital Nomad Visa application

    • Income qualification strategy

    • Bank account coordination

    • Compliance and renewal guidance

    • Transition planning to long-term residency (if needed)

    Best suited for:
    Remote workers, consultants and location-independent professionals.

  • For families seeking a coordinated and secure transition to Costa Rica.

    A structured approach covering residency, schooling, property acquisition and long-term stability for all family members.

    What we handle:

    • Multi-member residency strategy

    • Dependency structuring and documentation

    • Schooling and relocation coordination

    • Property acquisition and due diligence

    • Banking and financial setup for the family unit

    Best suited for:
    Families relocating together with a focus on stability, planning and long-term integration.

  • For individuals receiving a lifetime pension who want a stable and straightforward pathway to residency in Costa Rica.

    A highly efficient category for retirees with guaranteed monthly income, offering legal certainty with a simplified financial structure.

    What we handle:

    • Pension qualification and documentation strategy

    • Residency application and compliance

    • Dependency inclusion (spouse and family members)

    • Banking coordination and local integration

    • Long-term residency transition planning

    Best suited for:
    Retirees or individuals with lifetime pension income seeking a secure and simplified relocation.

Need help in deciding which immigration category fits you better? Schedule a free meeting

 

Get in touch

You can feel free to contact us in a confidential and direct way by scheduling an appointment (free of charge), emailing us or by using this form.

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