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Onboarding Requirements for EOR Employees in Costa Rica

Globalli ensures that mandatory registrations are completed before payroll processing.This article outlines the required onboarding documents and registrations in Costa Rica and explains their purpose.

1. Employment Contract

Requirement:

A written employment contract is strongly recommended and required in specific cases (e.g., fixed-term agreements).

Must Include:

  • Job title and duties

  • Salary and payment frequency

  • Working hours

  • Start date

  • Type of contract (indefinite or fixed-term)

  • Probation period (if applicable)

Purpose:

  • Establishes the legal employment relationship

  • Defines rights and obligations of both parties

  • Ensures compliance with Costa Rican Labor Code provisions

  • Serves as evidence in case of labor disputes

2. National ID / Passport

Requirement:

  • Costa Rican nationals: Valid national ID (Cédula de Identidad)

  • Foreign nationals: Valid passport

Purpose:

  • Confirms identity and nationality

  • Required for tax and social security registration

  • Ensures accurate employee records

3. Work Authorization (Foreign Employees)-As Needed

Requirement:

Foreign nationals must obtain proper work authorization and legal residency before starting employment.

Authority:

Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería

Purpose:

  • Confirms legal right to work in Costa Rica

  • Prevents immigration violations

  • Protects employer from fines and penalties

Employment cannot legally begin without valid work authorization.

4. Tax ID (Cédula / DIMEX)- As Needed

Requirement:

Employees must have a valid tax identification number:

  • Costa Rican nationals: Cédula number

  • Foreign nationals: DIMEX (Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros)

Authority:

Ministerio de Hacienda Costa Rica

Purpose:

  • Enables income tax withholding

  • Required for payroll reporting

  • Ensures compliance with tax regulations

The identification number is used for all employment-related tax filings.

5. CCSS Social Security Registration-As Needed

Requirement:

Employees must be registered with the national social security system prior to or at the start of employment.

Authority:

Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)

Coverage Includes:

  • Healthcare benefits

  • Disability and maternity benefits

  • Pension contributions

Purpose:

  • Grants access to public healthcare

  • Ensures employer and employee contributions are properly remitted

  • Mandatory under Costa Rican law

Failure to register employees with CCSS may result in significant penalties.

6. Pension (ROP – Régimen Obligatorio de Pensiones)- As Needed

Requirement:

Employees must be enrolled in the mandatory supplementary pension system (ROP).

Purpose:

  • Provides additional retirement savings

  • Funded through mandatory payroll contributions

  • Complements the primary pension system under CCSS

Globalli must ensure proper selection and contribution to an authorized pension operator.

7. Bank Account Details

Requirement:

Employees must provide local bank account details for salary payments.

Purpose:

  • Enables compliant electronic salary transfers

  • Ensures payroll transparency

  • Supports tax and accounting documentation

Cash payments are strongly discouraged for compliance reasons.

8. Address & Personal Data- As Needed

Requirement:

Collection of accurate personal information, including:

  • Residential address

  • Contact details

  • Marital status (if relevant for benefits)

  • Emergency contact information

Purpose:

  • Maintains accurate employee records

  • Supports tax and benefits administration

  • Ensures compliance with reporting requirements

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