When retirees purchase property in Costa Rica they should be aware of the legal fee and taxes which they will have to pay. Fees are somewhat negotiable as far as who pays them, although they follow certain guidelines. Notary services range between 1% and 1.25% of the value of the property. The minimum fees are set by law through the local Bar Association or Colegio de Abogados y Notarios, so while you might get quoted a fee lower than 1%, the lawyer/notary would be breaking the law. That fee does not include other legal services you might request of your lawyer – for example, the due diligence process, contract revision, translations, etc. Stamps and taxes for registering your property will run between 0.75% and 0.8% of the value of the property. Finally, the property transfer tax will cost 1.5% of the value of the transaction. If you’re purchasing the shares of a corporation rather than the property itself, this tax will not apply. Otherwise, expect fees and taxes to add about 3.3% in transaction costs, meaning a $1 million transaction will cost about $34,000 in fees and taxes. To recap: Stamps: 0.75% - 0.8% Transfer Tax: 1.5% Notary fees: 1% - 1.25% Total fees and expenses: 3.25% - 3.55% Retirees should be aware that often fees and taxes are split down the middle between buyer and seller, but that depends on the size and variety of transaction. Who pays the fees can be a bargaining chip during the negotiation process.