Residency
Panama residency visas explained
Most people moving to Panama use one of three routes. Retirees with a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month usually choose the Pensionado visa. Citizens of eligible countries with a qualifying job offer or a US$200,000 property or bank deposit often use Friendly Nations. Larger investors can use the Qualified Investor programme, whose rules were overhauled in September 2026.
Rules change often. Everything below was checked in against current published guidance. Always confirm the details with your own Panamanian immigration lawyer before you apply, transfer money or buy property for residency.
The three main routes compared
| Route | Main requirement | Status | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensionado | Lifetime pension of US$1,000/month, or US$750/month plus Panamanian property worth over US$100,000 | Permanent from the start | Retirees |
| Friendly Nations | Citizenship of an eligible country, plus a qualifying job offer, or US$200,000 in property or a 3-year bank deposit | Two-year provisional, then permanent | Working-age movers, remote workers with savings |
| Qualified Investor | Large investment in property, securities or a bank deposit; amounts depend on the route (see below) | Permanent | Investors who want a fast, permanent outcome |
How does the Pensionado visa work?
The Pensionado (retiree) visa is for anyone receiving a lifetime pension from a government, an international organisation or a legally operating private company. The usual threshold is US$1,000 a month. If you own Panamanian property worth more than US$100,000, the pension threshold drops to US$750 a month. Couples can generally combine pensions, and there is no minimum age beyond being an adult.
Pensionado holders receive permanent residency and, under a separate law, a set of well-known discounts on things like entertainment, hotels, public transport, flights, restaurants, medicines and doctors' visits.
How does the Friendly Nations visa work?
Friendly Nations is open to citizens of a list of countries Panama considers friendly, which includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and most of Europe. The list was most recently set out in an executive decree in August 2026, so check your country is still on it.
You then qualify in one of three ways:
- Employment: a job with a registered Panamanian company, which has to obtain a work permit for you.
- Property: real estate in your name with a registered value of at least US$200,000.
- Bank deposit: US$200,000 in a three-year fixed deposit at a Panamanian bank.
You first receive a two-year provisional residency, then apply for permanent residency. Permanent residents can usually apply for citizenship after five years.
How does the Qualified Investor programme work?
The Qualified Investor programme gives permanent residency in return for a larger investment, and it is usually the fastest route. Its rules were rewritten by a new executive decree that took effect in September 2026, and published summaries still disagree on some details. Current guidance describes minimums of around:
- US$300,000 for a brand-new property bought directly from the developer
- US$500,000 for resale property, securities, or a deposit at a state bank
- US$750,000 for a fixed deposit at a private bank
A five-year holding period applies. Because this programme changed so recently, treat these figures as a starting point for a conversation with your lawyer, not a basis for a purchase.
Before you apply
- Most routes need a police record check, apostilled documents and Spanish translations.
- Applications are filed through a Panamanian attorney, not by you directly.
- Citizens of Canada, the US and many European countries can usually visit as tourists for up to 180 days while preparing, but check your own nationality's current entry rules.
Common questions
How much pension do I need for Panama's Pensionado visa?
Generally a lifetime pension of US$1,000 a month, or US$750 a month if you also own Panamanian property worth more than US$100,000. Confirm current figures with a Panamanian immigration lawyer.
How much do I need to invest for the Panama Friendly Nations visa?
If you don't qualify through a job offer, the usual options are property with a registered value of at least US$200,000 or a US$200,000 three-year deposit at a Panamanian bank.
Is Canada a Friendly Nations country for Panama?
Yes. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and most European countries are on Panama's Friendly Nations list, which was last set out in an executive decree in August 2026.
What changed with Panama's Qualified Investor visa in 2026?
A new executive decree took effect in September 2026. It created different minimums for new property from a developer and for resale property, and added a five-year holding period. Check current amounts with a lawyer before investing.
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