Marchamo Costa Rica 2027: dates, how to pay & estimate
The marchamo is Costa Rica's annual vehicle circulation fee. 2027 payments open on Monday, November 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. and are due by December 31, 2026. Here's what's in it, the new digital sticker, how to pay, and an estimator.
Last checked 2026-10-24. Unofficial guide.
Marchamo 2027 estimator
Enter your vehicle's fiscal value (valor fiscal) as shown in Hacienda's AutoGestión plate lookup. It is not the price you paid. Until Hacienda publishes the 2027 brackets, the calculation uses the 2026 brackets.
When is the marchamo due?
INS confirmed that collection of the 2027 marchamo starts on Monday, November 2, 2026, with lookups and payments available from 8 a.m. By law the tax is payable from November 1 to December 31, so the deadline is December 31, 2026.
How to pay the marchamo in Costa Rica
- Get the exact amount by plate at marchamo.ins-cr.com: choose the vehicle type and type the plate with no dashes or spaces. You can also use the INS Móvil app or call 800-MARCHAMO (800-6272-4266).
- Pay online (INS or your bank), in the INS Móvil app, at INS offices, or at authorised collection points such as banks, credit unions and some stores.
- Have ID ready (cédula, DIMEX or passport). To collect the sticker you need a current Dekra (RTV) inspection. If yours isn't current you can still pay and collect the sticker after you pass.
What's in the marchamo?
- Vehicle property tax (Hacienda): the biggest part, about 60% of what was collected for 2026. It uses progressive brackets on the depreciated fiscal value.
- SOA mandatory insurance (INS): about 25%. For 2027, Sugese approved ₡31,881 for private vehicles, ₡17,134 for light cargo and ₡104,110 for motorcycles.
- COSEVI road-safety contribution: ₡12,728 for 2027 for cars, light cargo and heavy cargo (Decree 45905-MOPT).
- Other items: stamps (timbres), Red Cross, Fire Department and small fees, plus any unpaid traffic or parking fines.
2026 property-tax brackets (vehicles)
| Fiscal value | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₡220,000 | ₡23,100 flat |
| Over ₡220,000 up to ₡3,010,000 | 0.60% |
| Over ₡3,010,000 up to ₡4,000,000 | 1.80% |
| Over ₡4,000,000 up to ₡5,010,000 | 2.10% |
| Over ₡5,010,000 up to ₡6,010,000 | 2.50% |
| Over ₡6,010,000 up to ₡10,010,000 | 2.80% |
| Over ₡10,010,000 up to ₡13,020,000 | 3.15% |
| Over ₡13,020,000 | 3.50% |
Source: Hacienda, Decree 44867-H (2026 period). Brackets are indexed every year by decree; the 2027 brackets were not published as of 2026-10-24.
The new digital marchamo sticker
From the 2027 period, vehicles with a windshield get an electronic sticker designed to last up to 10 years. You still pay the marchamo every year; you just won't need to collect a new sticker each time. Your circulation certificate is emailed to the address you give when paying. Motorcycles keep the traditional sticker for now. The device is billed separately, and its cost hadn't been announced.
Electric cars: the discount ends
The staggered property-tax exemption for EVs (Law 9518 as amended by Law 10209) was 40% in 2025 and 20% in 2026. It is 0% for 2027. Hacienda keeps a permanent extra 0.1% deduction for electric cars.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles pay the highest SOA of any private vehicle: ₡104,110 for 2027 (up from ₡99,623). Their property tax uses a separate table: ₡3,000 up to ₡1,750,000 of fiscal value, then 0.25%–1.25% on the excess.
Paying late
For the 2026 period, the reported penalties were a ₡60,831.62 fine for driving without a current marchamo, 10.67% annual interest on the property tax, and a 2% monthly surcharge on parking fines, plus possible removal of plates. 2027 figures are not confirmed yet.
Wheels Down Concierge can handle your marchamo
Rather skip the lines and paperwork? Our partner Wheels Down Concierge does it for you, in person, in Guanacaste.
Marchamo paid for you
from $45
They check the amount with your plate, pay it, and send you the receipt and digital circulation certificate.
Annual Car Compliance Plan
from $199/yr
Marchamo + Dekra run with a pre-check + one reinspection trip + reminders.
Wheels Down Concierge service prices (in person, Guanacaste). Government fees (marchamo, Dekra) are extra.
Request help Email WhatsAppRequest help from Wheels Down Concierge
Tell us what you need. Wheels Down Concierge will reply by email (or WhatsApp if you add a number), usually within one business day. Asking costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Prefer email? Write to hola@wheelsdownconciergecr.com.
Free reminders: marchamo & Dekra
We'll remind you once a year before your Dekra month and before marchamo collection opens. We only ask for the minimum: your plate's last digit and one way to reach you.
Privacy: we handle your data under Costa Rica's Law 8968. We use the digit and your contact only for these reminders and never sell them. Details and your rights are in the Privacy Policy.
FAQ
When is the 2027 marchamo due in Costa Rica?
INS opens payments on Monday, November 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. The deadline is December 31, 2026.
How do I pay the marchamo in Costa Rica?
Check the exact amount with your plate number at marchamo.ins-cr.com, then pay online at INS, in the INS Móvil app, at INS offices, or at banks and other authorised collection points. Bring ID and make sure your Dekra inspection is current to collect the sticker.
What is included in the marchamo?
Mainly the vehicle property tax (about 60% of the total collected in 2026), the mandatory SOA insurance (about 25%), a COSEVI road-safety contribution and smaller fixed charges, plus any unpaid traffic or parking fines.
What is the new digital marchamo sticker?
From the 2027 period, vehicles with a windshield get an electronic sticker designed to last up to 10 years. You still pay the marchamo every year; you just don't replace the sticker each time.
What happens if I pay late?
For the 2026 period a fine of ₡60,831.62, 10.67% annual interest on the property tax and a 2% monthly surcharge on parking fines were reported, and plates can be removed. 2027 figures are not confirmed yet.
Do electric cars still get a marchamo discount in 2027?
Under Law 10209 the staggered property-tax exemption was 40% in 2025, 20% in 2026 and 0% in 2027, so EVs pay the full property tax for 2027 unless the law changes.
Related guides
Sources
- 2027 dates: El Observador (INS)
- 2026 brackets & depreciation: Hacienda, Decree 44867-H
- 2027 SOA: Delfino (Sugese), La Nación
- 2027 COSEVI: Decree 45905-MOPT
- 2026 late penalties: La Nación
- EVs: El Financiero
- Digital sticker: La República