Panama’s Residency by Investment Program can fit many people, from investors who travel the world for business to retirees. Also known as the Panama Qualified Investor Visa or Panama Golden Visa, the program gives permanent residency directly, rather than temporary residence. It requires a minimum investment of $300,000 in Panamanian real estate. After you and your eligible family members receive your permanent residency card, you can apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years, provided that you keep your investment and meet the minimum physical residency requirements.
Although processing times for the Panama residency by investment program may vary depending on your case, they typically take 3 to 6 months. This program is popular among foreign investors for its favorable tax advantages, as foreign-sourced income is exempt from taxes.
What You Will Find in This Article
- Key Aspects for Panama Permanent Residency by Investment
- Panamanian Golden Visa Benefits
- Who is eligible for the Panama Residency by Investment Program?
- Panama Qualified Investor Visa: Investment Options
- Panama Golden Visa Program Requirements
- How to Get a Panama Residency by Investment? Step-by-Step
- The Processing Times for Residency Status by Investment
- How to Get Panamanian Citizenship by Investment?
- Do You Need to Open a Bank Account in Panama for a Golden Visa Application?
- Tax Implications for Panama Permanent Residency Holders
- Is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa Worth Investing in 2026?
- Other Panama Residency Programs
Key Aspects for Panama Permanent Residency by Investment
- The Panamanian Government introduced the Qualified Investor Visa program to attract foreign investment by offering residency in exchange for investments.
- The minimum investment for real estate purchases is $300,000.
- To be eligible for the program, you can choose one of the following routes for direct investment: real estate, the Panamanian stock market, fixed-term bank deposits, starting a business or employment, or approved reforestation projects.
- There is a minimal residency stay requirement to keep your permanent residence; you only need to enter Panama at least once every two years.
- Panama allows dual citizenship. After holding your permanent residency for 5 years and keeping your investment, you can be eligible to apply for citizenship.
- Panama operates under a territorial taxation system, meaning that your foreign income will be exempt from taxation. Only your income generated inside Panama will be taxed. That’s why investors prefer to establish offshore businesses here.
Panamanian Golden Visa Benefits
The Panama Residency by Investment Program provides a range of benefits, making it an attractive option for investors and their families.
Here are some of them:
- Panama’s Residency by Investment Program lets you live and work, and access your children’s education, setting you up for a fulfilling life in Central America.
- Panama’s strategic location and its significant logistics role make it a great starting point for businesses in the Americas, thanks to its capital, Panama City, and the Panama Canal.
- The Panama Golden Visa extends residency to your spouse, children, parents, and disabled relatives, making it family-inclusive.
- Panama’s location makes it easy to reach neighboring countries for business ventures in Central and South America.
- Panama doesn’t tax your foreign-sourced income because it follows a territorial tax system. No wonder it is a proper destination for entrepreneurs and investors seeking a business-friendly environment.
In summary, this permanent residency visa program offers a package of benefits tailored to global investors, business owners, and families.
Who is eligible for the Panama Residency by Investment Program?
Eligibility for the Panama Residency by Investment Program includes individuals who:
- Are over 18 years old.
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Can make a qualifying investment in Panama through one of the approved routes: real estate investment, Panamanian listed securities, and bank deposits.
Please note that the criteria may vary depending on the chosen investment route.
Family Reunification
The family members stated below will have the same conditions as the main applicant:
- Your legally married spouse,
- Your children under 18 or under 25 if they are students
- Your disabled dependent relatives
- Financially dependent parents of the main applicant, regardless of their age.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa: Investment Options
The Panama Qualified Investor Visa grants you permanent residency in Panama through investment.
To benefit from the Panama Qualified Investor Visa program:
- Invest a minimum of USD 300,000 in Panamanianreal estate.
- Make an investment of at least USD 500,000 in Panamanian listed securities
- Make at least USD 750,000 in a fixed deposit in a Panamanian Bank
Please note that you must hold your minimum investment for at least five years.
1. $300K: Panama Real Estate Investment
For a Panamanian real estate investment under the Qualified Investor Visa, you must purchase a property valued at least $300,000. Spouses can jointly purchase and co-own a property under this investment category on condition that each spouse contributes $150,000 toward the total minimum requirement. This option is typically chosen for its affordability, especially by investors who plan only to obtain permanent residence and do not intend to relocate.
The property types can be:
- Residential apartments or condominiums
- Investment properties intended for rental income
- Pre-construction or completed properties
Basically, condominium units fall into three types. The first one includes a fixed real estate investment with a buyback. The second one is managed real estate units, and the last one includes direct property ownership in which you want to live.
Once the investment is made, you will receive full property rights with a title deed in your name. You can rent it out, but you must pay income taxes in Panama, which can be up to 25%. Long and mid-term rentals are allowed. For short-term rentals, you must check if your property has a tourism or hotel license. Typical condominium maintenance fees are around $200 per month.
Please also note that it is possible to submit the Panama Golden Visa application without the final property deed, as long as there is a valid Promise of Sale Agreement.
To apply for citizenship after 5 years, you must hold your property for at least 5 years. Once you have made your application for citizenship, you can sell your property.
2. $500K: Panamanian Listed Securities
To be eligible for the Panama Golden Visa, you can also invest in securities listed on the Panama Stock Exchange market. Also known as the Panamanian stock market, this investment can only be made through a licenced brokerage firm, regulated by the Superintendency of the Securities Market.
This option is generally preferred by investors, who prefer to strengthen their portfolios and liquidity.
3. $750K: Panamanian Bank Deposit
Panamanian Bank Deposit is for foreign investors seeking conservative investment options. Accordingly, investors must invest at least $750,000 to a Panamanian bank, authorized by the Superintendency of Banks.
Once you make your investment, your investment will be locked for 5 years, and you cannot withdraw your money before that period. It is a fixed-term investment with low risk exposure. At the end of this period, you can get your money back, but with no capital appreciation.
Panama Golden Visa Program Requirements
You have multiple options to secure the right to reside in Panama, making it more appealing to a wider range of people by offering different residence options.
Required Documents for Obtaining Residency in Panama
In general, we can summarize the required documents and process as follows:
- Make sure you have a valid passport
- Collect the necessary documents proving your investment, such as a license, registration document, certificate, and bank statements
- Submit a clean criminal record
- Get a certificate of good health
- Provide your residence address
- Certificate of the student status and the single status of your children
- Prove your connection with your dependents
- Prepare your photo
- Submit your application and pay the application fee
- Wait for confirmation, being aware that the waiting process may vary
How to Get a Panama Residency by Investment? Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare Documents
To start the process, you must decide on the type of investment. Our Golden Visa advisors at Get Golden Visa can help you with this process, offering you an independent outlook.
Our team members analyze your investment needs and offer you eligible options, placing you at the center. In our advisory approach, we take it as our duty to provide you with independent advice for tailor-made solutions.
Step 2: Submit & Due Diligence
You must make your investment before applying for the preferred route. Then, you must complete all application forms, gather supporting documents, and pay the required fees.
At this step, you can also authenticate a Power of Attorney to handle the whole process remotely. Then you need to courier the documents to Panama. There, your PAO will arrange your application file and submit it.
Step 3: Ministry of Commerce Review
After your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Ministry of Commerce. At this stage, the authorities will verify your investment and issue you an Investor Certificate within 15 days, confirming that you have made a qualified investment.
Step 4: Obtain Approval from the National Immigration Service
Once you receive your Investment Certificate, your file will be sent to the National Immigration Service. They will review your application and confirm your eligibility for permanent residency within 30 days.
After approval, you will get a resolution granting permanent residency for you and your family members included in your application.
Step 5: Visit Panama
After your Panama Residency by Investment application is approved, you and your family members included in your application, must visit Panama to complete the process. You need to stay in Panama for at least 3 days, and visit Panama Immigration Service. During this visit to the Immigration Service, you will:
At the end of the process, the investor receives two documents:
- Permanent Residency Card
- Panamanian National ID card
The permanent residency status is lifetime. The card only needs to be replaced if it is lost or damaged.
After 5 years of holding your permanent residency, you can be eligible for Panamanian citizenship if you comply with the legal requirements.
The Processing Times for Residency Status by Investment
The time it takes to obtain residency through investment in Panama varies depending on your investment and the due diligence required. However, it generally takes between 3 to 6 months:
Step 1
Investment Allocation
Step 2
Document Collection
Step 3
Courier Documents to Panama
~15 Days
Ministry of Commerce Review
~30 Business Days
Immigration Processing
About 3 Days
Visit Panama for Biometrics
Step 7
Receive Permanent Residency Cards
About 3-6 Months
Total Timeframe
How to Get Panamanian Citizenship by Investment?
After 5 years of permanent residency, you can be eligible to apply for Panamanian citizenship. During this process, you must maintain your investment and pass the citizenship test. After your citizenship application is submitted, you do not need to hold your investment. The test will be in multiple-choice format, asking questions on Panama’s history and geography in Spanish.
However, citizenship applications can only be made when applicants are over the age of 18. In other words, if you have a family member below the age of 18 at the time of application, they must keep their permanent residency and take the test when they are 18.
Once you get your Panamanian passport, you will have access to over 140 countries, including most of the European Union, the UK, and some Asian countries.
Living in Panama
Panama offers a tropical lifestyle with a lower cost of living than many other countries.
As a permanent resident,
- You’ll have access to Panama’s public healthcare system, with excellent private options available.
- As one of the offshore tax havens, you won’t pay taxes on income earned outside the country, making it ideal for retirees and investors.
- You’ll have the freedom to own property, open a bank account, and truly establish yourself in Panama.
- Panama allows dual citizenship, so you can keep your existing passport.
- A Panama passport grants visa-free travel to many destinations worldwide.
Do You Need to Open a Bank Account in Panama for a Golden Visa Application?
Unlike other European Golden Visa programs, the Panama Golden Visa program does not require you to open a bank account in Panama. You can directly transfer your money from your home country to Panama.
However, you must pass:
- Know Your Client (KYC) process and AML (Anti Money Laundering) due diligence checks.
Tax Implications for Panama Permanent Residency Holders
The Panamanian Government operates the territorial tax system. This means that only your income generated in Panama will be taxed, not your worldwide income. The income tax rates are:
- Up to $11,000: Tax exempt
- $11,000 – $50,000: 15%
- $50,000 – more: 25%
However, it is important to highlight that to be considered as tax resident, you must spend 183+ days in Panama per year.
Apart from this, permanent residency holders can establish an offshore business in Panama, with 0% taxation on the income generated outside Panama. That’s why it becomes quite attractive to international trading companies, and consulting or service businesses.
Additionally, investors considering renting out their property must pay rental income taxes, which may be as high as 25%, as the income will be generated in Panama.
When it comes to capital gains tax, you can expect to pay a minimum 2% or a maximum 10%, depending on the transaction structure.
Is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa Worth Investing in 2026?
Unlike many other Golden Visa programs, the Panama Qualified Investor Visa grants direct permanent residency within 2-3 months. Besides, it only requires a minimum physical residency in Panama. You have to be there once every two years, which provides a perfect opportunity for investors seeking flexibility while enjoying residency benefits.
Compared to Europe’s Greece Golden Visa program, through which investors still obtain residency by investing in real estate with a minimum investment of €250,000, the Panama Golden Visa costs around €254,697. Accordingly, based on Get Golden Visa’s data, Americans drive a surge in Panama Golden Visa queries. Panama offers an alternative, geographically close real estate investment opportunity for American investors, as it takes typically 3 hours and 28 minutes to get there.
Another advantage of the program is that you can exit the investment after 5 years, preserving capital and potentially realizing a return, depending on the investment path. However, the main reason why it is still favored by investors and entrepreneurs is Panama’s favorable tax system. According to the territorial tax system, your foreign income is not subject to taxation. Only income generated in Panama will be taxed at lower rates than in European countries.
Other Panama Residency Programs
Friendly Nations
The Friendly Nations Visa is for citizens from specific countries that maintain friendly relations with Panama.
The list includes the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and other countries listed as Friendly Nations by Panama.
To get Friendly Nations:
- Start a business in Panama or make a work agreement with a Panamanian company.
- Invest a minimum of $200,000 in real estate.
- Deposit a minimum of $200,000 in a fixed-term deposit account at a national bank in Panama. It must be valid for at least 3 year
Once you complete the process, you will get a two year temporary residency first, then you can switch to the permanent residency
Forestry Investor
The Forestry Investor Visa, also known as the Panama Reforestation Visa, focuses on sustainable investment in Panama’s reforestation projects.
To be a forestry investor, you can consider one of the following investment opportunities:
- Invest a minimum of $100,000 to get a Temporary Residence Permit for two years, meaning you’ll get temporary residency, and then you are eligible to get a Permanent Residence Permit after 2 years. After five years, Permanent Residency in Panama opens the way to applying for Panamanian Nationality.
- Invest a minimum of $350,000 to get immediate permanent resident status and Cédula (Panama ID) for you and your dependents.
When it comes to maintaining residency status, you must keep your investment for five years. Otherwise, your Panama permanent residency by investment in Panama status will be suspended and possibly permanently revoked.
Get Golden Visa: Your Guide to Panama Residency by Investment
At Get Golden Visa, we specialize in helping investors navigate Panama’s Golden Visa and various residency by investment programs. Our team provides end-to-end support from selecting the right program to securing residency.
Fill out the form below to receive your personalized guide to residency by investment and take the next step with confidence.
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While we provide advisory services based on the legislation and administrative practice in effect at the time of your consultation, we cannot guarantee that future legal or policy changes will not affect eligibility, timing, or requirements for residency in Panama
We act as an independent advisory firm, not a government body, and all applications remain subject to Panama law and the discretion of the relevant authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions on Panama Residency
Can Russian citizens apply for the Panama Golden Visa?
Yes, they can apply for the Panama Golden Visa. However, the source of funds must be outside of Russia.
Can cryptocurrency be used for investment?
Yes, cryptocurrency assets can be used for a Panama Qualified Investor Visa investment as long as they pass due diligence procedures.
Do I have to pay taxes when I reside in Panama?
No. While residing in Panama, you do not have to pay taxes on income you earn outside the country.
How much does it cost to become a resident in Panama?
The cost varies depending on the type of visa you apply for and whether your family will come with you. Many factors determine the cost. For example, if you are applying for the Forestry Investor Visa alone, your cost will be at least $100,000, plus additional expenses such as application fees.
How long does it take to get residency through an investment program?
The timeframe for getting residency can vary depending on factors such as the chosen investment route and the application process. Still, it typically takes from a few months to a year.
