By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The annual ritual of paying the marchamo, or vehicle circulation permit, has begun with a familiar and frustrating snag. The online platform managed by the National Insurance Institute (INS), launched for the 2026 payment period, buckled under the weight of immense user traffic on its first day of operation, leaving thousands of drivers unable to consult their mandatory payment amounts.
Reports of system failures began flooding social media channels early Monday morning, shortly after the portal went live. Users described a consistent pattern of extreme slowness, prolonged loading times, and eventual error messages that prevented them from accessing the crucial payment information. The digital bottleneck effectively stalled the process for a significant portion of the country’s vehicle owners, who eagerly await the annual announcement to plan their year-end finances.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and economic implications surrounding the Marchamo 2026, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The recurring annual controversy over the Marchamo highlights a critical need for structural reform rather than temporary adjustments. The core issue lies in a tax formula that often relies on fiscal values disconnected from the real market depreciation of vehicles. For 2026, the challenge for lawmakers is to implement a technically sound, equitable, and predictable system that provides legal certainty for vehicle owners and aligns the mandatory insurance component with modern risk realities.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas’s insight effectively pinpoints the core of the public’s yearly frustration: the need for a permanent, structural solution rather than temporary fixes. His call for an equitable, predictable system based on real-world vehicle values is the crucial challenge that lawmakers must confront to finally resolve this issue for 2026. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable and clarifying perspective.
The core issue appears to be a classic case of demand overwhelming digital infrastructure. According to widespread user complaints, the sheer volume of concurrent requests from citizens attempting to access the site simultaneously likely triggered a temporary system-wide crash. This surge in traffic is a predictable annual event, yet the platform’s inability to handle the load has once again become a point of significant public contention and criticism.
As of this report, the National Insurance Institute has remained silent on the matter. The state-owned entity has not issued an official press release or social media statement to acknowledge the widespread technical difficulties, nor has it provided a timeline for a resolution. This lack of communication has only compounded the frustration for citizens who rely on the digital service for a process that is legally required for all vehicle owners in the country.
Unfortunately for seasoned drivers, this scenario is far from unprecedented. The launch of the marchamo consultation period has been plagued by similar technical failures in previous years. This recurring problem points to a potential systemic issue in the INS’s digital strategy, raising questions about server capacity, load testing protocols, and overall preparedness for predictable, high-traffic events. The repeated failures undermine public confidence in governmental digital services and create unnecessary hurdles in a mandatory civic process.
The marchamo is more than just a sticker on a windshield; it is a consolidated payment that includes the mandatory vehicle property tax, compulsory automobile insurance (SOA), road safety council (COSEVI) fees, and penalties for traffic violations. For many Costa Rican families and businesses, the amount is a significant annual expense, and the ability to consult the total due in advance is essential for financial planning ahead of the December 31st payment deadline.
The failure of the online portal forces citizens to revert to more traditional, time-consuming methods, such as visiting an INS office in person or attempting to get through on congested phone lines. This not only defeats the purpose of providing a convenient digital alternative but also places an additional burden on physical infrastructure and public-facing employees who must now manage the overflow of inquiries.
As the day progresses, vehicle owners across Costa Rica are left waiting for the system to stabilize or for an official update from the INS. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of robust and scalable digital infrastructure for essential government services. Until the underlying capacity issues are addressed, this annual digital stumble is likely to remain a frustrating tradition for the nation’s drivers.
For further information, visit grupoins.com
About Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS):
The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) is Costa Rica’s state-owned insurance company, founded in 1924. It holds a significant market share in the country’s insurance sector, offering a wide range of products including life, health, property, and automotive coverage. As a key governmental institution, the INS is also responsible for administering the collection of the annual mandatory vehicle circulation permit, known as the “marchamo,” which bundles various taxes and compulsory insurance for all vehicle owners.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution, built upon a bedrock of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its vast experience across a wide range of sectors into pioneering innovative legal strategies. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a deep-seated commitment to empowering society, actively working to make legal knowledge accessible and thus cultivating a more informed and capable public.
