Useful links for doing business in Costa Rica
In recent years, the Costa Rican Government has been pushing its institutions to provide more online services to increase efficiency, transparency and reduce bureaucracy. While there is still a lot of work to be done, many useful tools are already available.
Here we present some examples of free-to-access government websites that are essential for daily business in Costa Rica:
Laws and Regulations
http://www.pgr.go.cr/Scij/ – Official web site of the Republic’s General Procurator. It publishes laws, regulations, judicial and administrative decisions
http://www.asamblea.go.cr/ – Official web site of the Legislative Assembly. It contains information on recently approved laws and bills under discussion
http://costarica.eregulations.org/ – e-Regulations.org. Government-sponsored online database for investment-related procedures, including government procurement, real estate, operating licenses, social security, exports, imports, etc.
Consumer protection and competition
http://www.meic.go.cr/ – Official web site for the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce. Contains information on consumer protection, labeling requirements, unfair competition and others.
National Registry
http://rnpdigital.com – Official web site for the National Registry. Records transactions pertaining to legal persons (including corporations and LLC’s), real estate, movable property (namely, vehicles), trademark, patents, and others. This is an invaluable resource for everyday business in Costa Rica. Free registration is required, although certain services do have a cost (payable with credit card).
Costa Rican Consulates abroad, Apostille, Certified Translators
http://www.rree.go.cr – Official web site for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Amongst other things, contains information on Costa Rican Consulates abroad, document apostille procedures, official translators, and document legalization.
Others
http://poder-judicial.go.cr/ – Official web site for Judicial Courts of Costa Rica
http://www.hacienda.go.cr/ – Official web site for the Tax Ministry
http://www.ccss.sa.cr/ – Official web site for the Social Security System
