Permanent Residence in Panama
Panama is located in Central America, sharing borders with Costa Rica to the northwest and Columbia to the southeast. The country enjoys warm tropical climates throughout the year with an extended rainy season; almost half of the land is covered by forests, about one third has been declared as natural reserve. Panama is home to about 4,5 million inhabitants.
Panama is strategically positioned between North and South America, as well as between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean; the Panama Canal facilitates maritime logistics guaranteeing economic sustainability and future growth for the entire region. The country is home to several hundred international corporations as well as the UN, and maintains the biggest free trade zone in the Western hemisphere. Aside from trade and logistics, Panama is focused on the service industry, mainly the banking and the financial industry, and is known for their high quality medical care.
Panama is one of the few countries, where permanent residence status can be achieved without actually living in the country. The country has implemented a territorial tax system, i.e. income outside of Panama is not being taxed in Panama. Furthermore, Panama does not levy any wealth, inheritance or gift tax. Opposed to popular opinion, the country has implemented one of the strictest anti-money laundering regulations worldwide.
Four Options
There are four paths to obtain permanent residence in Panama: (a) Friendly Nations Visa, (b) Golden Investor Visa, (c) Retirement Program and (d) Italian Citizen Program.
The Friendly Nations Visa is by far the most widely known program used to obtain permanent residency. Panama maintains an extensive list of over 50 nations which they consider to be friendly- mostly western nations including member states of the EU, the United States, Canada, Australia and several Asian countries. Please contact me for a complete list of participating countries. This residency program requires a USD 200,000 investment in real estate or an equal amount to be deposited in a local bank; either investment comes with a holding period of 3 years.
The Golden Visa Program, sometimes called the Red Carpet Program, can be described as a Residency by Investment Program. The applicant is required to invest at least USD 300,000 in real estate in the country, or deposit higher amounts with a bank in Panama. The minimum holding period for all investments is 5 years. This program effectively cuts the entire application & waiting period for the permanent residence down to 30 days, instead of the typical 2 1/2 to 3 years.
The Pensionado Program requires only a minimal pension or disability payment of USD 1000/month and offers, aside from the permanent residency, numerous advantages and nationwide discounts.
Applicants who hold an Italian citizenship can take advantage of a very easy and affordable application process, simply based on their nationality and passport. This fast track process is available to all family members of the Italian applicant.
Advantages & Benefits
The Golden Visa
The Golden Visa Program offers the opportunity to obtain the permanent residency within 30 days, instead of the typical 2 1/2 to 3 years. This fast track process, albeit more expensive, might be interesting for anyone looking for a quick Plan B. This also means, that the application for Panamanian citizenship can be processed three years earlier.
Friendly Nations Visa
Golden Visa Program
Get Started
To help you establish yourself in Panama, we are working in close cooperation with a team of highly experienced local professionals in the country. The consultant and his team are recognized for their reliable and professional service and have helped hundreds of clients to obtain their permanent residency in record time. Furthermore, he is a licensed real estate agent and can offer suitable properties nationwide.
If you are interested in obtaining your permanent residence in Panama or wish to invest in real estate in this country, please get in contact with me.