Residency for retirees & rentiers

Since 1974, Nicaragua has allowed foreign retirees and rentiers to apply for and obtain residency based on their income. Law 694 of 2009 considered foreigners who applied under these categories as “special tourists”.

On July 31^st, 2024, the National Assembly of Nicaragua repealed Law 694, therefore repealing the benefits granted to retirees and rentiers. That law was in force for fifteen years, and there is plenty of information on the web about it, which is why it is imperative to note the most important changes in the Nicaraguan law to provide new applicants with updated information.

One of the key benefits of this law was the granting of a five-year residency to retirees with a pension or rentiers with a private income produced abroad, such as an annuity.

The most recent and notable reform was Law No. 1228 (November 29th, 2024), which reforms the General Law on Migration and Foreigners, affecting categories of permanent residence, eliminating permanent residence based on length of temporary residence for many foreigners, including pensioners and rentiers.

With the repeal of Law 694, General Law on Migration and Foreigners, and the reforms of 2024, the law now encompasses those categories. 

Nowadays, the residency as a retiree or rentier lasts only one year and must be renewed every year. The procedure is not complicated, but it requires an updated letter of pension or private income for rentiers.

Benefits such as taxes exonerations of household goods, vehicles, and the deposit of a one-way ticket at immigration were repealed too; therefore, residents, according to the new law, have to pay importation taxes.

On the other hand, at the moment that the residency is approved, the applicant has to submit two quotes for a one-way ticket to return to their country of origin and pay the cost at the Immigration Department to be able to receive the residency card, plus the Immigration fee for granting the residency.

The process for obtaining residency will now start directly at the Immigration Department in Managua. During the process, applicants have to stay in the country; if it is required to travel for a short trip, it is mandatory to inform the Immigration Department.

Requirements:    

1. Birth Certificate.

2. Health Certificate.

3. Police Record Certificate (from local police).

4. Pension letter for retirees or proof of income for retirees.

5. Marriage License.

Immigration accepts a Nicaraguan health certificate, which has to be obtained in a public health center, called “Centro de Salud,” and an Interpol certificate, which you can obtain in Managua.

It is mandatory to know that every single document has to be legalized (Apostille) and translated into Spanish to be valid in Nicaragua.

Residency card has to be replaced every six months; it doesn’t mean to apply again or submit any document, just pay the Immigration fee and obtain a new card.

Finally, it is mandatory to note that every residency application, renewal, and exit visa, which every resident has to pay to travel, is personal, and the applicant has to submit the file or request.

January 2026.

Paul Tiffer

ptiffer@tifferlawfirm.com