Embassy
Apostolic Nunciature to Costa Rica
Apartado Postal 992, Centro Colón, 1000 San José
Vatican City visa requirements for Costa Rican citizens
Costa Rican citizens do not need a visa for the Vatican City. Show your passport at the border.
Passport
CRI
Costa Rica
Going to
VAT
Vatican City
No visa needed
Just show your passport at the border.
- Visa
- Not required
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in the Vatican City.
Ways into Vatican City
Visit Saint Peter’s Square from Rome after meeting Italy’s entry rules.
Visa requiredSchengen tourist visaA visa for tourists who need permission to enter Italy.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 15–45 days
How to apply
- Check whether you need a visa.
- Find the right consulate for your trip and home country.
- Book an appointment and gather the required papers.
- Submit your form, pay, and give fingerprints unless exempt.
- Check your visa’s dates, stay limit and allowed entries.
Documents required
- Visa application form
- Valid passport
- Passport photo
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of trip purpose
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of enough money
- Proof you plan to return home
- 2 blank pages
- Hotel booking
- Fingerprints
- Stay up to 90 days per 180 days; your visa may allow fewer.
- Visa dates and allowed entries vary; follow your consulate’s document list.
Other routeSaint Peter’s Square accessVisitors can reach Saint Peter’s Square from Rome through the public entrance.
How to apply
- Check and meet Italy’s entry rules.
- Enter Saint Peter’s Square through the public access area.
- Public access does not replace permission to enter Italy.
- Other Vatican entrances have separate access rules.
Sources (16)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Vatican City State: Geography and public access
- Vatican City State: Gendarmerie Corps and border-control responsibilities
- Vatican City State: Diplomatic relations and the Secretariat of State
- Apostolic Nunciature in the United States: Services; no tourist visa procedure published
- Apostolic Nunciature in India and Nepal: Recommendations for Italian religious and study visas
- Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Great Britain mission information; not a visa page
- Vatican Apostolic Archives: Access and Consultation
- Vatican Apostolic Archives: Entrance and pass instructions
- Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Access through Rome and applicable Italian entry rules
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The entry visa
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Competence for issuing visas
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Entry into Italy
- Italian Consulate General in Chicago: Tourist visa requirements
- Italian Embassy in Jakarta: Visa fees
- European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa
- European Union: ETIAS not operational; not a Vatican application portal
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from Costa Rica
- MoneyEUR €
- Time+7h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageItalian
- Emergency112 police
Planning your Vatican City trip
- St. Peter's BasilicaOne of Vatican City's main sights; the Pope is presented from its central balcony after his election.
- Vatican MuseumsExplore collections of artwork in Vatican City.
- Sistine ChapelA major Vatican sight and the place where cardinals gather to elect a new Pope.
Scams to watch for in Vatican City
About Vatican City
Vatican City is a walled enclave within Rome and the smallest sovereign state in the world.
- Capital
- Vatican City
- Money
- Euro (€)
- Languages
- Italian, Latin
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +379
Other Americas passports
Going to Vatican City
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Vatican City with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do costa rican citizens need a visa for the Vatican City?
Costa Rican citizens do not need a visa for the Vatican City. Show your passport at the border.
Do vatican citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Vatican citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to the Vatican City?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Brazil, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Vatican City are easier for costa rican citizens?
Andorra, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Greece Italy, and 3 more let costa rican citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to the Vatican City?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in the Vatican City?
Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in the Vatican City?
Italian and Latin.
How strong is the Costa Rica passport?
It ranks #29 and reaches 128 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck