Country Overview
Economic Overview
Currency: PAB — 1.0000 per USD (0.0% vs 1yr ago) Inflation: 0.2% current CPI (2026-01) · 0.8% 5yr avg
Property & Ownership
Freehold ownership: Yes Mechanism: Title registration in the Public Registry; coastal/island areas via state concessions; rights of possession exist but differ from fee‑simple title Restricted zones: Indigenous comarcas (collective lands), maritime‑terrestrial/coastal/island state lands requiring concessions, border security areas Recent changes: No major changes 2023‑2026 affecting foreign freehold ownership; monitor Official Gazette for sectoral updates
Visa & Residency Options
Jubilado/Pensionado (PRP-JP)
- Min income: 1,000 (or 750 with property ≥100,000)/month USD
- Investment: 0 (property purchase only for income exception)
- PR path: Direct permanent residency (indefinite status)
- Dependents add 250; legal bases Ley 9/1987, Decreto Ley 3/2008, Decreto Ejecutivo 320/2008, modified by Decreto Ejecutivo 26/2009
Países Amigos
- Investment: 200,000 (real estate track)
- PR path: After 2 years, apply for permanent residency
- Two-stage process since 2021 reforms (Exec. Decree 197 and 226); financing allowed
Corta Estancia Trabajador Remoto
- PR path: None
- Requires proof of foreign income, remote‑work documentation, medical insurance, non‑criminal record; governed by Decreto Ejecutivo 198/2021
Inversionista Calificado
- Investment: 300,000 real estate (until 2026‑10‑15); 500,000 securities; 750,000 time deposit (≥5 years)
- PR path: Direct permanent residency
- Created by Decree 722/2020; Decree 193/2024 extends reduced real estate amount to 2026‑10‑15; processing ~30 business days
Inversionista Forestal
- Investment: 100,000 temporary; up to 350,000 for permanent
- PR path: Yes, via higher investment or progression
- Invest through certified reforestation projects; thresholds vary by subcategory
Solvencia Económica Propia
- Investment: 500,000 (common threshold)
- PR path: Yes, after maintaining capital
- Options include real estate, fixed‑term deposit, or combination; capital must be unencumbered
Social Security & Tax
SSA benefits portable: Qualified Totalization agreement: None — SSA agreements overview US expat taxes: Greenback Tax Services — Panama guide