Independent · Client’s Agent Only · End-to-End Coordination
Your Independent Real Estate and Golden Visa Advisor in Panama
On the ground on your behalf · Built for remote investors
Why work with Advisors Panama
Group Track Record
How is Advisors Panama different
Most of our clients are experienced investors or professionals. They are not first-time buyers and they are not in Panama. They have already encountered promoters pushing specific projects and agencies whose shortlist is determined by commission agreements. They want someone on their side with access to the whole qualifying market, and no financial interest in which property they choose.
| Dimension | Advisors Panama | Project-Tied Agencies | Direct Developer Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Bias | Zero. We search the entire qualifying market. Recommendations are based on your goals. If a project is not right, we say so. | High. Recommendations follow commission agreements. | Absolute. Only their own project is offered. |
| Market Coverage | Full. Every active qualifying project assessed independently, across Panama City and beyond. | Partial. Partner developers only. The rest of the market is not shown. | Single developer’s inventory. |
| Property Due Diligence | Structured. Each project is assessed on legal status, permits, developer track record, and quality of delivered work. | Marketing materials only. No independent verification. | Not applicable. |
| Unit-Level Analysis | Granular. We advise on the specific unit: floor, orientation, legal cleanliness, and resale potential. | Project-level only. | Limited choice within a single project. |
| Negotiation | Independent. We negotiate on your behalf with no attachment to the property and no relationship with the seller. The offer is built on market data and your interests only. | Conflicted. The agent is paid by the developer. | Not applicable. The developer sets the price. |
| Legal Independence | Guaranteed. Independent Panamanian legal counsel handles all immigration and property steps. No conflict of interest. | Variable. In-house legal creates a structural conflict. | Focus on the sale closing. |
| Process Scope | End-to-end. Property scouting, due diligence, legal coordination, immigration application, residency card. | Fragmented. Typically stops at property selection. | Focus on the sale. |
| Point of Contact | Single. Dedicated senior advisor and independent legal counsel throughout. | Multiple handoffs across sales, legal, and admin. | Sales representative until the deal closes. |
| Remote Clients | Built for it. We represent you on the ground so you do not need to be there. | Largely not designed for remote clients. | Not applicable. |
Why smart capital is choosing Panama right now
Panama offers something rare in 2026: an economy with structural foundations that do not depend on a single commodity, a real estate market priced well below comparable Latin American gateway cities, and a residency program that is growing fast precisely because the European alternatives are closing off.
The Canal closed fiscal year 2025 with record revenues of $5.71 billion, up 14.4% year on year, on 13,404 vessel transits. It transferred $2.97 billion to Panama’s National Treasury from those results alone. The economy recovered to 4.4% GDP growth in 2025, driven by services, logistics, and financial activity, and is projected to sustain around 4% through 2027 to 2028 (World Bank, IMF).
The demographic picture adds a long-cycle dimension few investors notice. Panama’s median age is 31.3 years, compared to 39.5 in the United States. The working-age population share stands at 65.8% and has been rising steadily. A young, urbanising country moving through its most productive decades is a durable driver of domestic consumption and real estate demand that does not depend on commodity cycles.
The program itself reflects where capital is moving. Between July 2025 and June 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries issued 268 investor certifications: a 38% increase over the prior period, representing $113.6 million in qualified investments. Real estate accounted for 87.3% of all certifications. Panama City residential prices grew approximately 3% in 2025, outpacing local inflation which ran negative through mid-year.
Why commit to the Panama Qualified Investor Program
Foreign investors are choosing the Panama Qualified Investor Program for its direct route to permanent residency, its minimal physical presence requirements, and the country’s stable, dollar-based, territorial tax environment.
What are the qualifying investment options
To be eligible for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa, applicants must fulfil one of the following three investment options and maintain it for a minimum of five years.
Real Estate Investment · $300,000
Invest $300,000 in qualifying Panamanian real estate, held for a minimum of five years. The dominant route, accounting for 87.3% of all certifications issued. Partially financed purchases are eligible provided the equity component meets the threshold. The current $300,000 threshold has been extended however conversations are ongoing on increasing to $500,000.
Securities Investment · $500,000
Invest $500,000 in securities listed on the Panamanian Stock Exchange through a licensed brokerage firm, held for a minimum of five years. Suited to investors who prefer a regulated financial instrument over direct property ownership.
Fixed-Term Bank Deposit · $750,000
Place $750,000 in a fixed-term deposit at a licensed Panamanian bank, held for five years and free of encumbrances. The most conservative route and the highest capital threshold of the three.
How does the process work from start to finish
One coordinated process from first call to residency card. We manage the property scouting, the due diligence, and the application coordination, working alongside accredited, independent Panamanian legal counsel who own the regulated immigration and property legal steps.
What are the mandatory government fees
What additional costs must be budgeted for
Government fees confirmed as of August 2026. Figures do not include the qualifying investment. Bank account opening and company creation are not covered by the above.
Who we work with
Not every investor is a fit for our way of working, and that is intentional. The clients who choose us tend to share the same expectations.
Distant and time-poor
You are not in Panama. You cannot visit properties or manage an application that runs in Spanish from abroad. You need a team on the ground that handles it.
Tired of being sold a project
You have spoken to promoters. You know their shortlist reflects their developer agreements. You want access to the full qualifying market, assessed independently.
Capital protection alongside residency
You see the residency as a long-term decision. Both the permanent status and the capital placed to obtain it need to be protected. You want due diligence, not a brochure.
Data over instinct
You want verified legal status, developer track records, and unit-level analysis before you commit.
Quality over cost
You want the right property managed properly, not the cheapest option with no coordination behind it.
Honest, transparent partners
You expect clear answers on fees, risks, timelines, and trade-offs. We bring the same.
Is this the right fit
| GOOD FIT FOR | NOT THE RIGHT FIT FOR |
|---|---|
| You want to acquire qualifying real estate in Panama from abroad and need independent representation throughout. | You are looking for the cheapest option regardless of advisory quality. |
| You want a buyer’s agent who searches the entire qualifying market, not a selection shaped by developer relationships. | You want to skip due diligence and move quickly on instinct. |
| You value independent property vetting and unit-level analysis before committing capital. | You expect guaranteed residency approval or guaranteed investment returns. |
| You want the full process from property shortlist to residency card coordinated end to end on your behalf. | You prefer to work with a developer directly or with an agency that has a financial relationship with a developer. |
| You want a bilingual team that handles every step remotely and coordinates the one required visit to Panama. | You want a free service and do not understand what that means for the objectivity of the advice. |
Why Panama is worth living in
Panama City is a modern, dollar-based, internationally connected city of approximately 1.1 million people. Private healthcare rivals major US cities at a fraction of the cost. Tocumen International Airport handled 20.9 million passengers in 2025, with direct flights to over 80 destinations. English is widely used in business. The city’s residential districts run along the Pacific coast, each with a distinct character, price range, and demand profile.
Costa del Este
Panama City’s most liquid residential market. Modern towers, direct highway access, and proximity to the international airport. Properties sell faster and hold value more consistently here than anywhere else in the city.
Punta Pacifica and Punta Paitilla
Oceanfront high-rise addresses close to private hospitals affiliated with Johns Hopkins. Strong, consistent rental demand from medical professionals and international tenants.
San Francisco and Bella Vista
Established mid-market corridors with proximity to international schools, the Cinta Costera, and commercial activity. Consistent long-term rental demand at accessible price points.
Casco Viejo (UNESCO World Heritage)
Historic quarter with heritage construction restrictions limiting supply. Strong short-term rental performance driven by tourism density. A specialised micro-market.
Santa Maria
Master-planned gated community adjacent to the Golf and Country Club. Popular with families relocating from North America and Europe. International schools nearby.
Frequently asked questions
The Panama Qualified Investor Visa is a permanent residency program established by Executive Decree No. 722 of October 2020 and updated by Executive Decree No. 193 of October 2024. It allows foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency in Panama directly, with no temporary permit phase, through a qualifying investment in real estate, securities, or a fixed-term bank deposit.
As of August 2026 the threshold has been extended through October 2026. Earlier plans to raise it to $500,000 were deferred. Whether it increases after that date depends on a government decision. Investors who want to lock in the current threshold should begin the process before October 2026. We keep this updated and will advise you of any confirmed change at the time of your consultation.
Permanent residents must visit Panama at least once every two years to maintain their residency status. There is no annual minimum stay and no requirement to relocate.
Three to six months from engagement to residency card, depending on the speed of property identification, KYC completion, and document preparation. The Ministry of Commerce certification typically takes 15 days. The National Immigration Service review typically takes 30 days. The biometric visit requires approximately three days in Panama.
The main applicant pays $5,000 to the National Treasury and $5,000 to the National Immigration Service, totalling $10,000. Each dependent pays $2,000 in total. These apply regardless of the investment route.
The main applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under 25 who are financially dependent, children of any age with disabilities, and financially dependent parents and grandparents.
You are not required to open a personal bank account in Panama to make the qualifying real estate investment. However, you must pass KYC and anti-money laundering due diligence with the receiving institution. Funds must originate from outside Panama and be transferred from a foreign account. This is managed by your independent legal counsel.
Panama taxes income generated within Panama. Foreign-sourced income, including dividends, capital gains, and business profits outside Panama, is not subject to Panamanian income tax. Tax residency in Panama requires 183 days or more of physical presence per year. Holding permanent residency does not automatically make you a Panamanian tax resident. Independent tax advice is recommended before making any structuring decisions.
Permanent residents may apply for naturalisation after five years of legal residence, subject to Spanish language proficiency, a citizenship test, and the legal requirements in force at the time of application. Citizenship is not automatic and is not guaranteed. Panama’s Constitution requires applicants to formally renounce their previous nationality. How this interacts with your home country’s dual nationality rules requires separate legal advice before relying on this pathway.
Under Law 493 of 2025, qualified investors who have obtained permanent residency may apply for a special travel document confirming their immigration status. It does not confer Panamanian citizenship and does not replace the applicant’s original passport.
Most of the process is completed remotely. The one required in-person step is the biometric appointment at the National Immigration Service, which takes approximately three days. We coordinate this visit in advance.
The securities route requires a $500,000 investment through a licensed Panamanian brokerage, held for five years. The bank deposit route requires $750,000 in a fixed-term deposit at a licensed bank, held for five years. The immigration process and government fees are the same across all three routes. We advise on all three and help you assess which fits your profile.
Ready to work with an independent advisor on Panama
Book a free video consultation. We will discuss your goals, explain the full process, and tell you whether this program fits your situation.