🇵🇦
Destination · Panamá
Move to Panamá,
without the chaos.
From the Friendly Nations Visa at Migración to your cédula, banking, and territorial tax setup — Relokato builds your full Panama plan around your origin country, your visa type, and your timeline. Every step in the right order, with the official sources.
Friendly Nations Visa · fastest path for nationals of 50 qualifying countries
Last verified: June 1, 2026
23
Tasks in your Panama playbook
180 d
Visa-free tourist window for most nationalities
2 yr
Provisional → Permanent residency
$0
To start your plan
Pick your route
The two visas
most people use to move to Panamá.
most people use to move to Panamá.
Friendly Nations Visa
For 50 qualifying nationalities
Open to citizens of 50 designated countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, most of Latin America). Requires economic ties: a Panamanian job offer, a Panama-registered company, or a real-estate investment of at least USD 200,000. Two-year provisional residency leading to permanent.
Pensionado
For retirees with lifetime pension
Lifetime pension of USD 1,000/month (USD 750 with qualifying property purchase) plus USD 250 per dependant. Permanent residency from day one, plus Panama's well-known retiree discounts on flights, restaurants, entertainment, and utilities.
Why Panamá · Territorial tax
Foreign income earned abroad is not taxed locally.
Panama operates a territorial tax system: only income sourced inside Panama is taxed by Panama. Foreign salary, foreign pensions, foreign dividends and remote-work income are generally outside the local tax net. US citizens still owe US federal tax worldwide — work with a cross-border accountant before you move.
Relokato walks you through cédula registration, bank account opening (which still requires a Panama lawyer reference), and the right tax filings — so the move actually delivers the structure you came for.
Territorial taxUSD economyCédula + bankingPensionado discounts
Where you'll land
Neighbourhoods
most movers choose.
most movers choose.
🌆
El Cangrejo
Panama City · Walkable · Expat hub · Mid-range
Young professionals, remote workers, first-timers
Rent: $900–$1,600 USD
🏢
Costa del Este
Panama City · Modern · Family-friendly · Affluent
Families, corporate expats, those wanting new construction
Rent: $1,400–$2,800 USD
🏛️
Casco Viejo
Panama City · Colonial · Bohemian · UNESCO-listed
Creative professionals, culture lovers, boutique hotel feel
Rent: $1,200–$2,200 USD
⛰️
Boquete Town
Boquete · Mountain · Relaxed · Strong expat community
Retirees, nature lovers, remote workers wanting cooler climate
Rent: $600–$1,200 USD
🏝️
Bocas Town
Bocas del Toro · Caribbean · Casual · Off-the-grid energy
Digital nomads, divers, those escaping the city
Rent: $500–$1,000 USD
Cost of living · Panama City
What life in Panamá
actually costs.
actually costs.
1BR apartment (Panama City centre)
$900–$1,600/mo
Meal at local restaurant (fondita)
$4–$8 USD
Grocery run (1 week, 2 people)
$60–$100 USD
Monthly transport (Uber / bus card)
$40–$80 USD
Gym membership
$30–$60 USD/mo
Utilities (elec, water — AC-heavy)
$80–$180 USD/mo
Private health insurance
$80–$200 USD/mo
Common questions
Things people ask
before they commit.
before they commit.
Who qualifies for the Friendly Nations Visa?
Nationals of 50 designated countries — including the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. Since 2021 the route requires economic ties: a job offer from a Panamanian company, a Panama-registered company you own, or a real-estate investment of at least USD 200,000. Provisional residency is granted for 2 years, after which you may apply for permanent residency.
Can I apply from inside Panama?
Most applications are filed by a Panamanian immigration lawyer once you arrive on a tourist stamp (most Western nationalities get 180 days visa-free). You don't need to fly back home to apply — but you do need a registered local lawyer to sign and submit the paperwork at Servicio Nacional de Migración.
How does the Pensionado visa work?
Open to anyone with a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000/month (USD 750 with a qualifying real-estate purchase). Spouse adds USD 250/month. It delivers permanent residency plus Panama's well-known retiree discounts — 25% off airfares, 50% off entertainment, 15–25% off restaurants, lower utility bills.
Is Panama really a tax haven?
Panama uses a territorial tax system: only income earned inside Panama is taxed by Panama. Foreign-source income (remote salary, foreign pensions, foreign dividends) is generally not taxed locally. US citizens still owe US federal tax worldwide. A cross-border accountant is strongly recommended before you move.
Is Relokato a lawyer or notario?
No. Relokato is a planning tool — a personalised playbook with deadlines, official sources, and step-by-step guides. For the visa application itself and tax filings, work with a Panamanian immigration lawyer and a cross-border accountant.
Ready for
Panamá?
Panamá?
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