HOW CAN I OBTAIN PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN PANAMA BUYING REAL ESTATE?
1. Permanent Residence Permit as a Qualified Investor:
- A foreign national is eligible for this residence permit if they invest in: a) Real estate investment through direct purchase for a minimum value of three hundred thousand U.S. dollars (USD 300,000); or b) Real estate investment through a promise-to-purchase agreement. The minimum investment must be three hundred thousand U.S. dollars (USD 300,000) until October 2026, and must be structured through one of the following options: i. Through a trust deposit managed by a licensed bank or trustee authorized to operate in Panama; ii. Through direct payment to the developer or seller of 100% of the value of the real estate property that has not yet been constructed or has not yet been subdivided or registered in the Public Registry. In this latter case, a bank performance guarantee in favor of the investor, issued by the developer or seller, must be provided. Payment may be made directly to the developer or seller under a promise-to-purchase agreement, paying 100% of the property’s value. Co-ownership or joint ownership of the property is permitted only in the case of spouses or dependents. After October 2026, the minimum required investment will increase to five hundred thousand U.S. dollars (USD 500,000).
2. Permanent Resident Permit Based on Own Economic Solvency through Real Estate Investment:
- This residence permit is available to foreign nationals who invest in real estate and demonstrate that the funds originate abroad. This permit is granted for a period of two (2) years, after which the applicant may apply for Permanent Residence. If dependents are included, the investment must be increased by two thousand U.S. dollars (USD 2,000) per dependent, which may be supported through a local bank reference.
3. Permanent Resident Permit Based on Own Economic Solvency through Fixed-Term Deposits and Real Estate Investment:
This permit is available to foreign nationals who invest in real estate, fixed-term deposits, or a combination of both, and demonstrate that the funds originate abroad. The permit is granted for a period of two (2) years, after which the applicant may apply for Permanent Residence. If dependents are included, the investment must be increased by two thousand U.S. dollars (USD 2,000) per dependent, which may be supported through a local bank reference.
4. Temporary Permit for Retired Rentiers:
This temporary residence permit is granted to foreign nationals who enter the country as retired rentiers and demonstrate a monthly income of eight hundred fifty U.S. dollars (USD 850), derived exclusively from interest generated by a fixed-term deposit held with the National Bank of Panama or a Savings Bank. The interest income obtained from such deposit must be free of any liens or encumbrances for a minimum period of five (5) years. This permit is granted for five (5) years and may be renewed for an equal term.
5. Permit for Retired Pensioners:
This permit is available to foreign nationals who receive a retirement pension from a foreign government, international organization, or private company, enter the national territory to reside in Panama, and have sufficient financial means to cover all living expenses for themselves and their dependents. The monthly pension may not be less than one thousand U.S. dollars (USD 1,000) and must be granted for life. If the applicant has personally purchased a property valued at more than one hundred thousand U.S. dollars (USD 100,000), the minimum pension amount may be reduced to seven hundred fifty U.S. dollars (USD 750). Spouses may combine both pensions to meet the minimum requirement of one thousand U.S. dollars (USD 1,000). In the case of dependent children, their temporary permit will remain valid until the age of twenty-five (25), provided they can prove full-time studies. However, they will not acquire permanent resident or pensioner status, except in cases of children with proven severe disabilities. This program also grants a one-time tax exemption for the importation of personal household goods up to a total value of USD 10,000, as well as multiple discounts on entertainment, travel, medications, restaurants, including but not limited to: i. 50% discount on shows nationwide (cinemas, theaters, concerts, sporting events), ii. 30% discount on bus, boat, and train tickets, iii. 25% discount on airline tickets, iii. 25% discount on monthly electricity bills, iv. 30% to 50% discounts on hotel stays, v. 20% discount on prescription medications, vi. 15% discount on hospital bills. This permit is granted on an indefinite basis and does not require renewal.
6. Provisional Resident Permit for Nationals of Specific Countries with Friendly, Professional, Economic, or Investment Relations with the Republic of Panama:
Foreign nationals may qualify for this permanent residence permit if they: a) Invest in real estate in their personal capacity or through a corporation or Private Interest Foundation in which the applicant is the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares, equity interests, or contributions, or the founder and final beneficiary of the foundation, with a minimum investment of two hundred thousand U.S. dollars (USD 200,000); or b) Maintain a fixed-term deposit of two hundred thousand U.S. dollars (USD 200,000) with a maturity of three (3) years. Such investment may be made personally or through a corporation or private interest foundation in which the applicant is the natural person who is the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares, capital contributions, or quotas of the corporation, or the founder and ultimate beneficiary of the private interest foundation.
This visa also grants significant tax exemptions and discounts: one-time exemption for importing personal goods up to $10,000, plus discounts on entertainment (50%), transportation, airfares (25%), electricity bills (25%), hotel stays (30–50%), prescription medicines (20%), hospital bills (15%), and more. The permit is indefinite and requires no renewal.
7. Permanent Residency under the Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation Treaty between Panama and Italy
Available exclusively to Italian citizens wishing to establish permanent residency in Panama. Granted indefinitely.
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