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Panama: Permanent residency by investment

Get your permanent residency in Panama within just 30 days by making a real estate investment. Often called the “Panama Golden Visa” or “Qualified Investor” program, it provides lifelong permanent residence for you and your family. After 5 years you will be eligible for the Panamanian passport and the full Panamanian citizenship.

Requirements

Minimum investment of $300,000 USD
A minimum investment of $300,000 USD has to be made into Panamanian real estate. Rental returns in Panama are 7-9% yearly and real estate value increases are also attractive.

Nationality
You can be of any nationality. For this programme the citizenship of your home country is not important.

Minimal visit requirement
You can apply fully remote and only need to visit Panama for 10 working days once your application is approved to collect all your finished documents and ID cards.

Police record
You have to have a freshly issued police record stating that you have not committed any crimes in your country of origin.

Processing Time

30 days to receive permanent residency
This is the official application processing time promised by the Panamanian government.

Key Benefits

Fastest way to permanent residence permit in Panama: For this residence program you can submit the whole application without coming to Panama. You only visit Panama to collect your residence permit and ID cards which takes 10 working days. This is one of the fastest permanent residence permit you can obtain in the world!

Fastest way to  Panamanian passport: After holding the permanent residency for 5 years you can apply to become a full citizen and receive the passport

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Unique Benefits of Panama: Permanent residency by investment

Passport after 5 years

In the moment you have kept the permanent residency of Panama for 5 years you will be able to apply both for the Panamanian citizenship and passport. Once you have the Panamanian passport you can of course inherit it to all your children and future generations.

1 day minimum stay

Once the permanent residency is acquired your minimum required stay within Panama to keep the residency, is just one day every 2 years. This is very special: The second residency in Panama doesn’t keep you from travel with mandatory minimum stay requirements like in other countries would (e.g. Canada, Cyprus). With the Panama residency you keep your full freedom of movement.

Open a Panamanian bank account in 2 days

Within the first two days of your arrival we will open a Panamanian US Dollar bank account at an international bank for you. This includes English online-banking, English speaking banking service in person and on the phone. When you open the bank account with us, you will immediately be added into the preferential client segment at the bank and receive preferential rates.

Panamanian driver’s license

We will get the Panamanian driver’s license for you and you can keep the driver’s license of your home country as well. So then you will have two driver’s licenses at the same time: The one from your country of origin and the Panamanian license in addition. The Panamanian driver’s license can also be useful while being abroad, since it is recognised internationally.

Hunting license

If you are interested we can support you in getting the Panamanian hunting license. So that you can start hunting wild boar, deer, pigeons, ducks, conejo pintado and pheasants on private land with the permission of the owner in Panama.

Home mortgages

Once you are a permanent resident, you will be eligible for preferential real estate financing at Panamanian banks. For example you can receive up to 95% debt financing.

Resident Discounts

Being a permanent resident grants you many discounts in everyday live. You can receive up to 50% – 75% discount on tourist activities, once you’re a resident, for example at the entrance of national parks, zoos, museums and many more.

Roadmap to Panama: Permanent residency by investment

At Pallas we will guide you through every step of the process. We help you obtain all the information and documents from your country-of-origin, we support you select and buy real estate here in Panama according to your personal preferences, as well as keeping every deadline for your successful permanent residency in Panama. We are managing the whole process for you so that you can fully focus on the next steps of your new life chapter.

Timeline of your step-by-step immigration process:

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  1. Start your application by sending us an email with your information.

  2. Kick-off call with your personal Pallas-Assistant, planning your specific timeline according to your availability and how to achieve your personal goals within Panama, signing your immigration programme and down-payment

  3. Selection and acquisition of real estate investment in Panamá.

    • Min. of $300,000 USD, holding for a min. of 5 years
    • (starting from Oct. 2024 the minimum investment increases to $500,000 USD)
    • The real estate acquisition can be done fully remote

  4. We guide you through the process of obtaining necessary documents from your country of origin, such as:

    • Police record
    • Birth certificate
    • Source of funds
    • Bank reference letter

  5. After the submission of your application (can be done fully remote), it will take the government 30 days to process your request for permanent residency. Then you will get the notification of approval.

  6. After the approval of your application, you need to come to Panama for 10 working days in order to pick up your successful immigration documents and to:

    • Open an international bank account in Panama
    • Receiving the permament residency permit ID card
    • Receiving the national ID card, called “Cedula”

    With the cedula you can do almost every transaction exactly like a Panamanian citizen. 

Our Assessment of Panama: Permanent residency by investment

Additional benefits of the permanent residency

After you have received the permanent residency permit and the Panamanian national ID card “Cedula”, we can separately support you with the following services:

  • Getting the Panamanian driver’s license in addition to your existing driver’s license
  • Getting the Panamanian gun license for your home
  • Getting the Panamanian concealed carry gun license
  • Getting the Panamanian hunting license which is internationally recognised for hunting trips
  • After having the permanent residency and E-Cedula for 5 years, we can get the Panamanian Passport for you. The Panamanian citizenship is especially interesting because of Panama’s neutral political position (e.g. visa-free access to Russia, longterm visas to China and much more)

Real estate – our curated projects

Costa Del Mar - MAUI

PH Maui in Costa del Mar

$382,600 – $400,759
3 Beds – 2.5 Bath – 1628Sq Ft.
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Clayton Park II

$342,000
3 Beds – 2.5 Bath – 1654Sq Ft.
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Casa Valley in Playa Venao

$380,000
2 Beds – 2.5 Bath – 1583Sq Ft.
Learn More

Terra Viva in Coronado

$397,000
4 Beds – 5 Bath – 2723Sq Ft.
Learn More

Costa Linda

$303,410
3 Beds – 4 Bath – 1851Sq Ft.
Learn More

Detailed Summary

Unlock the potential: Panama’s golden visa program

Panama’s golden visa, officially known as the “Qualified Investor Visa”, offers a fast route to permanent residency and ultimately citizenship by investment. Designed for individuals from any country, this program allows you to secure lifelong residency for you and your family with a minimum real estate investment of $300,000 USD. This investor friendly process not only promises a permanent residency permit within 30 days but also paves the way for obtaining a Panamanian passport after five years.

Exciting real estate investment returns

Investing in Panamanian real estate is not just about securing residency; it’s a financially sound decision. With annual rental yields between 7% to 9% and consistent property value appreciation, your investment delivers tangible returns. This investment threshold is set to rise to $500,000 USD in October 2024, highlighting the increasing value and international interest in Panama’s residency program.

Minimal residency requirements

One of the most attractive features of Panama’s residency program is the minimal physical presence required. Once you acquire your permanent residency, maintaining it is as simple as visiting Panama for just one day every two years. In other typical immigration countries this minimum stay to keep the residency status is much longer. In Cyprus, for example, you need to spend 60 days every year or in Canada 730 days within 5 years which comes out at 146 days per year.  The extremely flexible minimum residency of 1 day every two year in Panama ensures that you can enjoy the benefits of residency without altering your lifestyle or business commitments abroad.

Comprehensive legal and financial services

Pallas provides end-to-end assistance in navigating the complexities of the Panama residency process. From selecting the ideal property to facilitating the entire purchase remotely, our team ensures a seamless transition to your new residency status. We know many property developers personally and can exactly guide you through specific advantages of location or building quality of each individual property. We also assist in opening international bank accounts with Panamanian banks quickly and efficiently, providing you with financial agility from day one.

Residency perks: Beyond the basics

Upon obtaining your residency, many additional benefits become available. Permanent residents of Panama can obtain local driving and hunting licenses, and enjoy significant discounts on various tourist attractions as locals. Moreover, financing options for home mortgages are favorable, with local banks offering up to 95% debt financing, illustrating Panama’s welcoming financial climate for new investors.

Roadmap to Your New Life in Panama

Embarking on your journey to Panamanian residency is straightforward with Pallas. Our personalized service begins with a consultation call to tailor your immigration timeline and investment plans according to your specific goals. Here’s what you can expect:

Step-by-Step Guidance

Our team expertly handles all documentation from your home country, including police records and bank reference letters. Once your application is submitted, the approval process is swift, with permanent residency of Panama typically granted within 30 days. Post-approval, a short stay in Panama for document collection and final formalities rounds off the process efficiently.

Living Like a Local

With your new residency, the lifestyle benefits are extensive. Panama offers a high quality of life, a favorable climate, and a strategic position for business and travel within the Americas. The ability to hold a national ID card (Cedula) enables transactions and interactions on par with Panamanian citizens, fully integrating you into the community.

Additional Benefits and Services

After establishing your residency, Pallas continues to provide specialized services to enhance your living experience. These include, for example, assistance with obtaining Panamanian licenses for driving and hunting, each recognized internationally, which are perfect for those who wish to explore all facets of life in Panama. We also connect you to the right people and support you in finding the right lifestyle such as fishing, golfing, polo, surfing, diving, yachting, nature expeditions and countless more!

Why Choose Panama?

Choosing Panama for your residency by investment not only secures a potential home but also offers an investment in a stable, growing economy. The country’s strategic location as a financial hub provides unparalleled access to both North and South American markets, while its political stability and neutral international stance make it an ideal base for global citizens.

A Path to Citizenship

After five years of residency, the path to Panamanian citizenship opens, offering further benefits such as visa-free travel to many countries, one of the benefits of Panama’s political neutral position and excellent international relations. Pallas can assist you in obtaining the Panamanian passport as well, so that you are a full Panameno.

Conclusion: Your Gateway to Panama

With Pallas, obtaining residency in Panama through investment is not only possible but also practical and profitable. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or someone seeking a calm and affordable place to retire, Panama’s Golden Visa provides the fastest way to a tax-optimised second residency. Contact us today to start your journey towards a new life in Panama, where opportunities and adventures await at every corner.

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