The Fernández government is focused on tough security policy and state reform, with former president Rodrigo Chaves serving as Minister of the Presidency and Finance. The ¢12.4 trillion 2027 budget passed first debate, and the CPTPP accession bid was shelved on 2026-10-28.
What a Korean company can do now
Government · leader
President Laura Fernández Delgado (head of state and government, took office 2026-05-08, term 2026-2030)
Key national agenda
- Organised-crime crackdown and security (new mega-prison, security cooperation with the US)
- Five constitutional reforms (limits on Assembly approval of foreign loans and a debt cap, shorter Comptroller term, etc.)
- Bill for a 15% tax on foreign interest, dividends, rent and capital gains
- Bilateral-FTA trade strategy after shelving CPTPP (response to the 12.5% US tariff)
- Road infrastructure such as widening Route 1 (San José-San Ramón)
Government programmes
2027 national budget¢12.4 trillion
Passed first debate with 31 ruling-party (PPSO) votes. It cuts or freezes deferred university funds and Judiciary allocations. The deadline for second debate is 29 November.
Route 1 widening, San José (La Sabana) to San RamónUS$770m loan from CABEI and the OPEC Fund
55.6 km in seven sections. MOPT published the tender on 2026-10-21, with construction from H2 2027 and completion within six years. (single source)
Maximum-security prison (CACCO) in operationUnconfirmed
Held more than 600 inmates eight days after the first transfers; a core project of the security policy. (single source)
15% tax on foreign income billN/A
A government bill to tax residents' foreign interest, dividends, rent and capital gains at 15%. (single source)
Business opportunities
Road ITS and traffic management systems
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Prison and public-security solutions
The government puts organised crime first, and weapons have already been found in the new prison.
Ministry of Justice and Peace, Ministry of Public Security
Tax administration digitalisation and analytics
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Free members get a human-reviewed summary by email for up to 3 countries a month (sent within 24h). BUILD members get them all.
Korean support schemes
- KOTRA San José Trade Office · KOTRA — Market intelligence, buyer matching and export consultation for Costa Rica.
- SBC Export Voucher · Korea SMEs and Startups Agency — Support for export marketing costs such as trade fairs, certification and translation.
- ICAK market development support · International Contractors Association of Korea — Funding for feasibility studies and market development ahead of road and infrastructure bids.
Official notices
Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica
- 2026-10-28 Announced shelving of the CPTPP accession bid and replaced the foreign trade minister
- 2026-10-05 Appointed a new foreign minister (Ana Elena Pinto)
- 2026-09-24 Dismissed foreign minister Manuel Tovar
- 2026-09-17 Sought an urgent meeting with Colombia's president on security and counter-narcotics
Disaster · conflict · epidemic
Stable 2026-11-07
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Earth & space
Credit rating · FX
S&P BB / Moody's unconfirmed / Fitch unconfirmed · K-SURE Unconfirmed · CRC
Sanctions
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No country-wide UN, US, EU, UK or Korean sanctions programme applies; a 12.5% US tariff on Costa Rican goods has applied since 2026-07-24 (not a sanction).
