English 
Français The short version
- Costa Rica grants a longer initial stay (12 months vs 6), and it is renewable.
| Criteria | Costa Rica DNV | Curacao @HOME |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €2,760 | No fixed threshold |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 1 year (better) | 6 months |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 2 years | 1 year |
| Path to permanent residence | No | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Foreign income exempt (Ley 10008 incentivos fiscales) | Foreign income exempt |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit), min. €46,000 | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €92 (better) | ≈ €255 |
| Where to apply | Online, Embassy / consulate | Online, In country |
| Processing time | 2–3 weeks | 2 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Costa Rica DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Curacao @HOME →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Government Nómadas Digitales — Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Reglamento Ley 10008 — Decreto Ejecutivo N.º 43619 (texto completo, SCIJ/La Gaceta) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Ley N.º 10008 — texto completo (estancia de un año prorrogable) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government FAQ — At Home in Curaçao (official program site) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao FAQ — fees (ANG 535 / ~USD 294), processing ~2 weeks (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao FAQ — 'You will not be required to pay Curaçao Income Tax'; remote workers do not become residents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao FAQ — valid international travel insurance (incl. COVID-19) and medical insurance prerequisite (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao — official program homepage (three target groups: remote workers, hibernators, investors) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Remote Workers — Curaçao Visitors (official tourism board): documents required, NAF 535 fee, up to 6 months (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Basisverzekering ziektekosten (BVZ) — SVB Curaçao (public basic health insurance, residents only) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Curacao Launches Long-Term Stay Program — Caribbean Journal (launch dated 11 Feb 2021) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm How to Apply for the Curaçao Digital Nomad Visa — Temporary Stay Permit, no residency, 6+6 months (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media XE — USD→EUR conversion (1 USD ≈ 0.86 EUR, 15 June 2026) used to derive the ~EUR 255 fee (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Curaçao Health Insurance for Expats — public (BVZ) vs private access (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15