No, squatting in Costa Rica is illegal under the Penal Code (Article 219) and Civil Code (Article 275), with penalties including eviction and fines. The 2026 Ley de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos tightens enforcement against unauthorized occupation, requiring landowners to file claims with the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU) or local municipal authorities.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Costa Rica
- Criminal Liability: Occupying private or public land without consent constitutes usurpación (usurpation), punishable by up to 3 years in prison (Penal Code, Art. 219).
- Civil Eviction: Landowners must file a desalojo (eviction) claim through civil courts, bypassing informal negotiations (Civil Procedure Code, Art. 440).
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Ley de Vivienda mandates INVU to expedite evictions for squatters occupying properties over 6 months, reducing judicial delays.
Local municipalities may impose additional administrative fines under Ley 8454 (Urban Planning Law), targeting structures built on protected or disputed land. Owners should register properties in the Registro Público to strengthen legal claims. Squatters risk immediate removal if occupying land registered to another party, per Ley 7765 (Land Registry Law).