Entry regulations		Residence regulations		Additional information
No restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. No HIV testing.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Costa Rica

According to the immigration authorities of Costa Rica, there are no restrictions regarding the entry of HIV-infected persons or persons suffering from AIDS. No medical testing is performed on entry. No certificates are requested.

An HIV-infection or AIDS-diagnosis have no effect on the legal status of a foreign person in Costa Rica. According to the Costa Rica law, both conditions aren't grounds for deportation. There are no state measures to control people with HIV/AIDS.

(Source: 1)

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Costa Rica.

(Source: 2)

 

HIV treatment information for Costa Rica

People registered with the Costa Rican social insurance are granted access to free treatment. This is also true for foreigners who are legally staying in Costa Rica and who pay contributions to the local social security system, either through their employer or through a private insurance. The access to treatment facilities and medication is restricted for people not registered with the local social security system.

(Source: 1)

 

HIV information / HIV NGOs in Costa Rica

• Asociación Esperanza Viva (ASEV)
  Web: asociacionesperanzaviva.org
• Gente Positiva
  Web: gentepositivacr.org

 

Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

 

Sources

1. Embassy of Germany, San José, 15 March 2000
2. U.S. Department Of State; Bureau of Consular Affairs; https://travel.state.gov, February 2, 2021, consulted March 15 2022

 

updated: 3/15/2022
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