Employer of Record in Costa Rica | Hire Talent Everywhere

Employer of Record (EOR) in Costa Rica & PEO

Hire Globally, Pay Locally, Expand Effortlessly

Costa Rica’s reputation as a business-friendly haven with a skilled workforce is well-deserved. However, its unique labor laws and bureaucratic hurdles can make setting up shop a challenge. An Employer of Record (EOR) in Costa Rica can act as your local partner and one-stop solution, simplifying the hiring process and ensuring adherence to local regulations.

Want to have a Team in Costa Rica TODAY?

Show me how to grow my business now!

We prefer to let others grow their business.

Want to have a Team in Costa Rica TODAY?

Show me how to grow my business now!

We prefer to let others grow their business.

Partnering with an EOR vs Company Incorporation in Costa Rica

Company incorporation in Costa Rica is thought of as the default option for entering the market as it offers you more control, but it’s essential to understand the massive benefits that come with instead choosing to use an EOR in Costa Rica, such as:

  • Speed – Navigating Costa Rica’s business setup process can be complex, but an EOR streamlines the process, allowing you to hire staff and start operations quickly.
  • Compliance – Both EORs and incorporated companies must comply with Costa Rican regulations. However, EORs handle the complexities of labor laws, payroll processing, and social security contributions, reducing your compliance burden.
  • Cost – For smaller teams or companies with temporary needs, EOR services can be more cost-effective than establishing a local entity. By not going through the hoops and hassles of starting a new company, you avoid upfront incorporation costs and ongoing administrative burdens.
  • Control – Incorporation offers more control over HR and finances. However, EORs can still provide a high level of control over your team while handling administrative tasks.
Infographic | INS Global
Employer of record Costa Rica

Employer of Record (EOR) in Costa Rica & PEO - Summary

The Benefits of a Employer of Record in Costa Rica

Simplified Entry Process

Costa Rica’s labor laws can be intricate, but an EOR streamlines the hiring process, handling work permits, visa applications, and ensuring adherence to local regulations.

Reduced Bureaucratic Risk

Cut through bureaucratic hurdles with the help of an EOR in Costa Rica. They handle the complexities of payroll processing, social security contributions, and tax administration on your behalf.

Reduced Liabilities

An EOR acts as your legal employer in Costa Rica, minimizing your risks associated with employment regulations and ensuring compliance.

Focus on Growth

Offload HR tasks like onboarding and employee administration to your EOR. This allows you to focus on growing your business and building your team in Costa Rica.

Cost-Effectiveness

For smaller teams or companies with temporary needs, EOR services can be more cost-efficient than establishing a local entity because you avoid upfront incorporation costs and ongoing administrative burdens.

Testimonial

Manuel Ramos

TERAO ASIA

Managing Director

We think INS Global is a good solution about starting business in new and complex markets. Understanding the market doesn’t mean you need to set up a company immediately.

5/5

How an Employer of Record in Costa Rica Simplifies Expansion in 3 Easy Steps

Working with our EOR in Costa Rica simplifies the expansion process for businesses of all shapes and sizes through the following:

Step 1 – Needs Assessment and Planning

Your journey begins with a consultation between you and our team of local experts. They will learn more about your specific goals in Costa Rica, including the number of employees you plan to hire, their roles, and your desired timeline. This initial discussion ensures the clearest understanding of your needs and vision and tailors our services accordingly.

Step 2 – Setup, Hiring, and Onboarding

Whether you’re building a new Costa Rican team or transferring existing staff, our EOR team handles all the legalities. This includes work permit applications, navigating Costa Rica’s labor laws, and ensuring compliance with all local employment regulations. Our expertise allows us to act as your legal employer in Costa Rica from day one, eliminating the need for establishing your own entity and saving you significant time and resources.

Step 3 – Ongoing Support and Peace of Mind

Once your employees are operational in Costa Rica, our EOR takes care of ongoing HR and payroll functions. This includes processing salaries, managing employee benefits and social security contributions, and ensuring adherence to tax regulations.

Our EOR acts as your HR liaison between you and your Costa Rican team, handling any administrative tasks or employee concerns that arise. By outsourcing these tasks, you’re free from the complexities of Costa Rican legalities, and you can focus your energy instead on strategic business development and managing your core operations with complete peace of mind.

Costa Rican Labor Law in a Nutshell

Costa Rica boasts a business-friendly environment, but its labor laws can have hidden complexities for unwary foreign companies. Here’s a breakdown of key points and how an EOR in Costa Rica can help you navigate them:
  • Contracts: Employment contracts in Costa Rica must be written in Spanish and clearly outline terms of employment, including salary, benefits, working hours, and termination clauses. Partnering with an EOR like INS Global ensures your contracts fully comply with legal requirements and protect your interests.
  • Probationary Periods: Probation periods are common in Costa Rica and can last up to 3 months. An EOR can guide you on setting up probationary periods that adhere to regulations while allowing you to assess new employees for suitability.
  • Working Hours: Standard work hours in Costa Rica are 48 hours per week, with limitations on overtime. EORs help you track working hours and ensure compliance with overtime regulations to avoid penalties.
  • Paid Leave: Employees are entitled to various forms of paid leave in Costa Rica, including national holidays, annual leave, and sick leave. An EOR can track and manage leave requests and ensure proper compensation on your behalf according to Costa Rican law.
  • Social Security: Employers contribute to social security for employees, covering healthcare and pensions. Your EOR in Costa Rica handles these contributions for you as part of the standard payroll process.
  • Severance Pay: Severance pay is required by law under certain circumstances, such as termination by the employer without cause. An EOR can guide you on severance pay practices and calculations to ensure compliance during the typically difficult process of termination.
Managing these intricacies in-house can be time-consuming and requires ongoing monitoring of legal updates. Partnering with an EOR in Costa Rica instead gives you an expert local partner that  ensures your business remains compliant with labor laws and protects you from potential risks.

5 Key Points to Remember When Choosing the Best Employer of Record for Your Business

Selecting the right EOR in Costa Rica is crucial for a successful market entry. Here are 5 key factors to consider:

  1. Experience and Reputation – Look for an EOR with a proven track record in Costa Rica and expertise in your industry. Client testimonials and industry awards can indicate strong customer satisfaction and expertise.
  2. Service Scope – Ensure the EOR offers the services you need, or can tailor their solutions to your specific situation. This might include work permit and visa assistance, payroll processing, social security contributions management, and navigating Costa Rica’s labor laws.
  3. Scalability – Choose an EOR that can scale its services as your business grows or shifts in Costa Rica. They should be able to handle your increasing number of employees and evolving needs without costly delays.
  4. Communication and Transparency – Select an EOR that provides clear and consistent communication from the start. The right local partner should keep you informed about regulatory changes, upcoming deadlines, and any potential issues in Costa Rica. Look for a global EOR service provider with dedicated points of contact and online portals for easy access to information.
  5. Cost Structure – Compare pricing models from different EOR providers in Costa Rica to find the service that best fits your needs. Ensure the fees are transparent and competitive, with no hidden costs, and don’t hesitate to seek third-party advice.
Employer of Record (EOR) in Costa Rica & PEO

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FAQs

In Costa Rica, the terms EOR (Employer of Record) and PEO (Professional Employer Organization) are generally interchangeable. Both handle employment responsibilities for a fee, but EORs typically offer a wider range of HR and payroll functions while acting as your legal employer in Costa Rica.

Costs usually vary depending on the services offered, the number of employees you have, and their location. INS Global is one of the most cost-effective options, as the costs are a fixed percentage of your local payroll, allowing you to scale and expand efficiently.

The corporate income tax rate in Costa Rica is 30%. However, there are various tax incentives and free trade zone programs that can significantly reduce this rate for qualifying businesses.

Faster market entry, reduced compliance burden, cost-effectiveness, access to local HR expertise, and minimized risk are all key advantages of partnering with an EOR in Costa Rica.

Yes, EORs in Costa Rica handle payroll processing and ensure adherence to tax and social security regulations.

Absolutely. An EOR streamlines the hiring process, eliminates the need to establish your own entity, and ensures you comply with Costa Rica’s labor laws thanks to their local expertise. This allows you to focus on growing your business and reaching your target market in Costa Rica faster, while also minimizing risk for your employees.

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