Costa Rica vs South Africa Digital Nomad Visa: Which Is Right for You?

The short version

South Africa has the lower entry bar: €2,646 per month versus €2,760 for Costa Rica.
South Africa grants a longer initial stay (36 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
Tax treatment differs: Costa Rica — foreign income exempt; South Africa — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.

Side-by-side comparison of the Costa Rica DNV and the South Africa Remote Work.
Criteria	Costa Rica DNV	South Africa Remote Work
Minimum income / month	€2,760	€2,646 (better)
Income basis	Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)	Salary / employment contract
Initial duration	1 year	3 years (better)
Renewable	Yes	Yes
Maximum total stay	2 years	No fixed limit
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)	Standard resident taxation
Health insurance	Required (explicit), min. €46,000	Required in practice
Insurance duration required	Full visa period	Full visa period
Application fee	≈ €92	≈ €33 (better)
Where to apply	Online, Embassy / consulate	Embassy / consulate
Processing time	2–3 weeks	6–10 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Costa Rica DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

South Africa Remote Work →

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.