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Panama Investor Permanent Residency by Real Estate

Immediate Permanent Residency

Panama offers one of the fastest and most straightforward pathways to Immediate Investor Permanent Residency in Latin America through its Qualified Investor Visa program. This program, originally established under Executive Decree No. 722 of 15 October 2020, has been updated and expanded by Executive Decree No. 193 of 15 October 2024, administered by the Servicio Nacional de Migración.

 

This government program grants direct permanent residency to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in Panama, with approval typically issued within approximately 30 days of submission.

  • Type: Investment
  • Country: Panama
  • Status: Actve

Investment Requirement – Real Estate

Minimum Investment: USD 300,000

To qualify under the real estate option, the applicant must:

• Purchase titled real estate in Panama

• Invest a minimum of USD 300,000 in personal equity

• Maintain the investment for at least 5 years

Important Government Conditions

According to official program guidelines :

• The property may be partially financed, provided the applicant’s own funds meet the USD 300,000 threshold.

• The application may be submitted:

• After the title deed transfer, or

• Based on a registered promissory purchase agreement, if the required funds are held in escrow/trust with a licensed Panamanian bank.

•The investment may be held:

• In the applicant’s personal name, or

•Through a Panamanian corporation where the applicant is the shareholder.

 

There are no restrictions on property type (residential, commercial, pre-construction), provided the minimum investment requirement is met.

What You Receive

Upon approval, the applicant receives:

• Immediate Permanent Resident Status

• Permanent Resident ID Card (cedula)

• Right to apply for a work permit (separate application)

• Eligibility to apply for citizenship after 5 years of legal residence

 

Unlike temporary residency programs, this visa grants permanent residency from day one.

Physical Presence Requirement

One of the strongest advantages of the Panama Qualified Investor Visa:

• You must visit Panama only once every two years to maintain residency status.

• No minimum annual stay requirement.

• You are not required to relocate full-time.

 

This makes Panama an ideal “Plan B” residency jurisdiction.

Family Inclusion

The following dependents may be included in the same application :

• Spouse

• Children under 25 (financially dependent and unmarried)

• Dependent parents

 

Government fees apply per dependent (USD 2,000 per dependent as referenced in program materials).

Tax Advantages

Panama operates under a territorial tax regime :

• Panama uses a territorial tax system — only Panama-sourced income is taxed

• Foreign-sourced income is not subject to Panamanian income tax.

• Corporate tax is 25% on local income.

• Dividends are generally taxed at 10%.

• Individuals are taxed progressively with exemptions at lower income levels.

 

Panama uses the US Dollar as legal tender, providing additional financial stability for investors.

Application Requirements

Main documentation requirements include :

• Valid passport

• Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled or legalized)

• Medical certificate issued in Panama

• Proof of real estate investment

• Government forms and fees

 

All foreign documents must be apostilled/legalized and translated into Spanish where required.

Processing Timeline

Typical structured process:

1. Client onboarding & pre-clearance

2. Real estate selection & due diligence

3. Investment execution

4. Government submission to the National Immigration Service

5. Approval (approximately 30 days)

6. Biometric visit to Panama

7. Issuance of Permanent Resident Card

Other Investment Routes (Brief Overview)

While real estate is the most popular option, the government also permits:

• USD 500,000 investment in securities listed on the Panama Stock Exchange

• USD 750,000 five-year fixed deposit in a licensed Panamanian bank

 

These alternatives are less commonly used compared to real estate investment.

Friendly Nations Program

 For citizens of one of Panama’s ‘friendly nations’ (contact us for the latest list of friendly nations), residency may be obtained through one of the following lower-threshold options:

• Real estate investment: USD 200,000

• Fixed-term deposit: USD 200,000
• Employment by a Panamanian company (residency by labor reasons)

 

These alternatives provide more accessible pathways for qualifying investors from selected countries.

Panama Investor Visa – Investment Options Comparison

Investment RouteMinimum InvestmentDuration / TermsEligible for Friendly Nations Program?Notes
Real EstateUSD 300,000Maintain for ≥5 yearsUSD 200,000Direct purchase, promise of sale, or through trust; property type flexible
Stock Exchange / SecuritiesUSD 500,000N/ANoMust be through licensed Panamanian brokerage on Bolsa de Valores de Panamá
Fixed-Term DepositUSD 750,0005 yearsUSD 200,000Deposit in licensed Panamanian bank; must be free of encumbrances
Employment by Panamanian CompanyN/AN/AYesResidency granted by labor reasons; must have formal employment contract
Friendly Nations Real EstateUSD 200,000Maintain for ≥5 yearsYesSpecial reduced threshold for qualifying "friendly nations" citizens
Friendly Nations Fixed-Term DepositUSD 200,0005 yearsYesSpecial reduced threshold for qualifying "friendly nations" citizens

Citizenship After Permanent Residency

Permanent residents may apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years of legal residence, subject to:

• Demonstration of integration

• Basic Spanish knowledge

• Constitutional compliance

 

Citizenship is granted at the discretion of the Panamanian authorities.

Why Clients Choose Panama

• Immediate permanent residency

• Fast government processing

• Low physical presence requirement

• USD-based economy

• Strong banking system

• Real estate investment flexibility

• Territorial taxation

 

Panama combines immigration stability with investment flexibility, making it one of Latin America’s most practical permanent residency solutions.