The marchamo is Costa Rica’s annual vehicle circulation fee. One yearly payment covers the vehicle property tax, the mandatory SOA accident insurance and several smaller charges. Every registered vehicle must pay it by Dec. 31 for the following year. The 2027 marchamo goes on sale Nov. 2, 2026, and cars switch from a yearly sticker to a digital windshield label that lasts up to 10 years. If you’re renting a car, the rental company pays it; you just check that it’s current.
This guide is for tourists driving rental cars and expats who own a vehicle in Costa Rica. It covers what the marchamo includes, who pays, how to check and pay, the inspection link, penalties and the new digital label.
| Marchamo | At a glance |
|---|---|
| What it is | Annual right-to-circulate payment for every registered vehicle |
| Main parts | Property tax (about 60%) and SOA mandatory insurance (about 25%), plus smaller fees |
| 2027 payment period | From Nov. 2, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Collected by | Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) |
| Inspection | Your RTV vehicle inspection must be current |
| Fine without it | Just under ₡61,000 in 2026, plus possible plate removal |
| Rental cars | Paid by the rental company |
The basics
What Is the Marchamo in Costa Rica?
The marchamo, officially the derecho de circulación (right to circulate), is the yearly payment that lets a vehicle drive legally on Costa Rican roads. It works like a combined registration fee, tax bill and basic insurance policy. Proof of payment used to be a colored sticker on the windshield that changed every year. Starting with the 2027 marchamo, cars get a digital label instead.
The marchamo runs for the calendar year. Payment opens in early November and closes Dec. 31; the 2026 marchamo went on sale Nov. 3, 2025, and the 2027 marchamo goes on sale Nov. 2, 2026. Surcharges start Jan. 1.
What you pay for
What the Marchamo Includes
- Vehicle property tax (about 60%): set by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) based on the vehicle’s assessed value, so newer and more expensive vehicles pay more.
- SOA insurance (about 25%): the Seguro Obligatorio Automotor, mandatory insurance that covers medical care for people injured in traffic accidents, up to ₡6 million per injured person. It doesn’t cover damage to cars.
- Smaller charges: road safety, municipal and parking-meter fees, stamps, VAT on the insurance and unpaid traffic fines linked to the plate.
For 2027, the SOA premium for private vehicles rises about 5.4%, from ₡30,238 to ₡31,881, while the bigger property-tax share depends on your vehicle’s value.
Rentals
Marchamo for Rental Cars
If you’re visiting and renting, the marchamo isn’t your bill. The rental company pays it, and the cost is built into the rate. What you should do:
- At pickup, check that the vehicle shows a current marchamo and RTV inspection sticker or label, and that the registration papers are in the glove box.
- If you pick up a car in late December, confirm the next year’s marchamo is paid or will be before Jan. 1.
- If police stop you and the marchamo has lapsed, call the rental company. The vehicle owner is responsible, but sort it out on the spot.
Still choosing a car? Compare rental companies directly or through a booking site such as Expedia, and read the insurance terms before you pay. See our guides to Costa Rica car rental and driving rules and fines in Costa Rica.
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Owners
Marchamo for Expats Who Own a Car
Every registered vehicle owes the marchamo each year, even if it sits in a garage. Expats who buy or import a car pay it like anyone else. Things to know:
- Budget for December: the bill lands at year’s end, and for a newer or higher-value car the property tax makes it a significant expense.
- Buying used: check that the seller is current on the marchamo, fines and inspection before you sign; unpaid amounts are tied to the vehicle.
- Paying from abroad: you can check and pay online with just the plate number.
- Electric vehicles: EVs that entered the country in recent years get a partial, temporary property-tax exemption, which requires registration through the government’s exemption system. Older EVs no longer qualify. They still pay the SOA and other charges.
For more on settling in, see our guides to getting a Costa Rican driver’s license, the DIMEX residency card and moving to Costa Rica.
How to
How to Check and Pay Your Marchamo
You need only the license plate number. To check the amount:
- The INS website, grupoins.com
- The INS Móvil app
- WhatsApp 2287-6100 (option 4), or by phone at 800-MARCHAMO (800-6272-4266)
To pay:
- Online at grupoins.com or in the INS Móvil app
- By phone at 800-TELEINS (800-835-3467)
- At about 2,200 authorized collection points, including banks, cooperatives and stores
- At INS offices
For 2027, the digital marchamo document is emailed to the address you give when you pay, and you can also download it from the INS website or app. Keep it available in case police ask for it.
Inspection
The Marchamo and the RTV Inspection
The Revisión Técnica Vehicular (RTV) is Costa Rica’s vehicle inspection, which checks brakes, lights, tires, suspension and emissions. You need a current, passing RTV to pay the marchamo, so book your inspection before November if it’s due. Inspections are done by appointment at authorized stations around the country. If the car fails, fix the problems and return for a re-inspection.
New for 2027
The New Digital Marchamo Label
Starting with the 2027 marchamo, cars and other vehicles with windshields get a digital label instead of a new paper sticker each year. You still pay every year, but the label can last up to 10 years, so you won’t need to replace it annually. The label has no GPS and doesn’t track the vehicle’s location. Its cost is charged separately from the SOA. Motorcycles keep the regular sticker for now.
Penalties
Penalties for Not Paying the Marchamo
- Fine: driving without a current marchamo cost just under ₡61,000 in 2026.
- Plates or vehicle: traffic police can remove the plates or the vehicle, which adds more costs.
- Surcharges: from Jan. 1, late payments add interest and a monthly penalty on the property tax.
Many owners miss the deadline every year; about 256,000 started 2026 without having paid. Pay in November or early December to avoid the last-minute rush.
Avoid these
Common Marchamo Mistakes
- Letting the RTV inspection lapse, which blocks the marchamo payment.
- Assuming the SOA is full car insurance.
- Buying a used car without checking unpaid marchamos and fines.
- Renting a car in late December without checking the next year’s marchamo.
- Leaving payment until Dec. 31.
Driving more? Our guides to gas stations in Costa Rica, parking and guachimanes and Costa Rica road trips cover the rest.
FAQ
Costa Rica Marchamo FAQ
What is the marchamo in Costa Rica?
The marchamo is the annual right-to-circulate payment for every registered vehicle. It includes the vehicle property tax, the mandatory SOA injury insurance and several smaller fees.
When is the marchamo due?
Payment opens in early November and closes Dec. 31. The 2027 marchamo goes on sale Nov. 2, 2026. Surcharges start Jan. 1.
Do tourists with rental cars pay the marchamo?
No. The rental company pays it, and the cost is in the rental rate. Just check that the car’s marchamo and inspection are current at pickup.
How much is the marchamo?
It depends mainly on the vehicle’s assessed value, which drives the property tax. Check the exact amount by plate number on grupoins.com or the INS Móvil app.
Can I pay the marchamo without the vehicle inspection?
No. You need a current, passing RTV inspection to pay.
What is the digital marchamo?
Starting with the 2027 marchamo, cars get a digital windshield label that can last up to 10 years instead of a new sticker each year. You still pay annually.
The short version
The marchamo is the annual vehicle fee: property tax, SOA injury insurance and smaller charges.
Pay between early November and Dec. 31, with a current RTV inspection; the 2027 marchamo opens Nov. 2, 2026.
Renting? The company pays; just check the car is current at pickup.