Residency by Investment
Permanent Panama Residency Through a Qualified Investment
We prepare the file, coordinate with our licensed Panamanian legal team, and tell you honestly whether this route fits.
Rules reviewed October 27, 2026, with our legal team. Panama updated these rules in September 2026 (Executive Decree No. 17).
How it works
The Qualified Investor visa grants permanent residency directly, with no provisional stage. Your spouse and dependents can be included.
The investment routes
| Route | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New real estate, first sale, including pre-construction | $300,000 | Property bought new from a developer. Free of liens. Funds must be your own. |
| Resale real estate | $500,000 | Property previously sold, occupied, rented or transferred to an unrelated party. |
| Panamanian listed securities | $500,000 | Through a licensed Panamanian brokerage. |
| Fixed-term bank deposit | $750,000 | Five years at a Panamanian bank. $500,000 when held exclusively at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros. |
These amounts reflect the September 2026 regulation.
All amounts are in US dollars.
What to know before you invest
- The investment must be held for five years, with annual documentation showing you still meet the requirements.
- The qualifying amount must come from your own funds. Panama's checks on where the money came from, how it moved and who owns the investment are stricter than before, so we help you organize that documentation early.
- If the property is held through a company, you will need to prove your ownership of that company.
- Pre-construction purchases follow specific trust or guarantee structures, so we review the contract before you sign.
- After five years of permanent residency, you and your dependents can apply for Panamanian citizenship.
Already invested or applied before September 16, 2026?
Applications already submitted before that date continue under the earlier requirements. If you made the qualifying investment before that date but had not yet applied, a six-month transition period applies, subject to verification by Panama's Ministry of Commerce and Industries. Tell us your dates and we will check where you stand.
Contact usHow we work with you
- A free 30-minute call to confirm the route fits your situation
- Source-of-funds documentation and banking introductions
- Investment review, then filing through our licensed Panamanian legal team
- Approval, residency card and the five-year compliance calendar
Where we stay out of the way
We are not a real estate brokerage. Beyond the US tax work Danna, an IRS Enrolled Agent, does for our clients, we do not give tax advice. Residency and tax are separate questions: Panama taxes only income earned in Panama, but your home country may still tax you, so we work alongside your own tax advisor. We take no share of any commission on property you buy to qualify for a visa, and our visa advice never depends on which property you choose. If you want an introduction to a licensed real estate professional, we can make one, and you are free to use anyone you like. If you later buy property for other reasons, we will tell you in advance if we have any financial interest in the transaction.
Who this route is not for
- People who need to finance the qualifying amount
- People who cannot yet document their funds
- People for whom a lower-cost route such as Friendly Nations or the Pensionado fits better
FAQ
Do I have to live in Panama?
No. This residency does not require you to live in Panama full time. Keeping it in good standing involves a few minimum requirements, and we confirm exactly what they are for your case on the consultation call.
Does the property have to be new?
For the $300,000 route, yes: a new property bought from a developer. Resale property requires $500,000.
Can I apply from outside Panama?
Much of the preparation happens from your home country. We explain exactly which steps need you in Panama.