Panama offers several residency options depending on your situation. The most popular ones are:

• Friendly Nations Visa — for citizens of 50+ eligible countries, requires a job offer, business, or investment
• Investment Residency — property purchase from a qualifying amount
• Pensioner / Jubilado Visa — for retirees with a minimum monthly pension
• Qualified Investor Visa — fastest path to permanent residency via financial investment
• Professional Work Permit — for those with a valid job contract in Panama

Not sure which one fits you? Our questionnaire helps identify your best path in minutes.

It depends on the visa type, but here are general timelines:

• Friendly Nations Visa — 3 to 6 months
• Pensioner Visa — 2 to 4 months
• Qualified Investor Visa — 30 to 90 days (fastest option)
• Investment Residency — 4 to 8 months

While your residency is being processed, you can live in Panama on tourist status, which allows stays of 180 days and can be renewed.

Yes! Most Panama residency visas allow you to include dependents — typically your spouse and children under 18. Each dependent is processed as part of your main application and requires their own documentation including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and background checks.

Some visas also allow dependent parents and adult children who are students. We guide you through the full family application process from start to finish.

No — you do not need to speak Spanish to obtain residency in Panama. All official immigration processes are handled through legal representatives, and at GoPanamaNow we manage everything in English on your behalf.

That said, learning basic Spanish will definitely make your everyday life easier once you arrive. Panama City has a large English-speaking expat community, and many businesses operate in both languages.

It depends on the type of residency. Some visas like the Friendly Nations Visa obtained through a job offer include work authorization. Others like the Pensioner or Investment visa are for residency only and require a separate work permit if you want to be formally employed by a Panamanian company.

Remote workers and entrepreneurs working for foreign clients are generally not restricted. We recommend a consultation to clarify your specific situation.

Panama is significantly more affordable than most US cities and Western Europe — especially for housing, healthcare, and dining. A comfortable lifestyle in Panama City can cost roughly 30–50% less than in cities like Miami or Barcelona.

• 1BR apartment in a good neighborhood — $800 to $1,500/month
• Private health insurance — $100 to $300/month depending on coverage
• Dinner for two at a nice restaurant — $30 to $60
• Monthly groceries for a couple — $300 to $500

Panama also uses the US dollar, so there is no currency risk for Americans.

Panama is considered one of the safest countries in Central America and is consistently ranked among the top destinations for expat families. Panama City has well-established expat neighborhoods like Costa del Este, Santa María, and Punta Pacífica that offer a safe, comfortable lifestyle with international schools, private hospitals, and gated communities.

Like any major city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and choose your neighborhood wisely. We help you understand which areas are the best fit for your family's lifestyle and budget.

Panama has one of the best private healthcare systems in Latin America. Major hospitals like Hospital Punta Pacífica (affiliated with Johns Hopkins) and Hospital Nacional offer world-class care at a fraction of US prices.

• English-speaking doctors widely available
• Private consultations from $50 to $150
• International health insurance accepted at most private hospitals
• Short wait times compared to public systems

We help you find the right health insurance plan from day one so you are covered from the moment you arrive.

Yes — Panama City has modern infrastructure, reliable fiber internet, and is considered one of the most connected cities in Latin America. Most apartments in neighborhoods like Obarrio, Costa del Este, and Punta Pacífica have fiber optic internet with speeds of 100–500 Mbps.

Panama is also a major logistics and finance hub for the Americas, which means infrastructure investment is ongoing and consistent. It is an excellent base for remote workers and digital nomads.

Yes — Panama allows residents to import their household goods duty-free within the first year of obtaining residency, using a one-time exemption called a "menaje de casa." This covers furniture, appliances, clothing, and personal items.

We coordinate with trusted international moving partners for door-to-door shipping, customs clearance, and delivery to your new home in Panama. We handle the paperwork so you do not have to worry about anything.

Yes, you can import a vehicle to Panama but there are import taxes based on the car's value and age. Vehicles under 3 years old generally have higher import duties. Many expats choose to buy a car locally instead, as Panama has a large selection of new and used vehicles at competitive prices.

If you do want to import your vehicle we guide you through the process including taxes, temporary plates, and insurance requirements.

Absolutely — Panama is very pet-friendly. To bring your pet you will need:

• Up-to-date vaccination certificate (rabies is mandatory)
• Health certificate issued by a licensed vet within 14 days of travel
• USDA or government endorsement of the health certificate (depending on origin country)
• Microchip identification

No quarantine is required as long as all documents are in order. We help coordinate pet travel logistics so your furry family member arrives safely.

Panama City has an excellent selection of international schools catering to expat families:

• IB (International Baccalaureate) schools — globally recognized curriculum
• American curriculum schools — following US standards with SAT prep
• Bilingual schools — English and Spanish instruction
• British curriculum schools — IGCSE and A-levels

Tuition ranges from $6,000 to $20,000 per year depending on the school. We help you compare schools, organize campus visits, and guide the enrollment process.

We take spouse support seriously — relocation is not just about visas and logistics, it is about the whole family settling in well. We offer guidance on:

• Networking with the local expat community
• Remote work and freelance opportunities
• Language courses and cultural integration
• Volunteering and community programs
• Personal goals and career continuation in Panama

Many expat families say moving to Panama was one of the best decisions they made for their children. Kids grow up bilingual, experience a multicultural environment, and enjoy a quality of life that combines urban amenities with access to nature — beaches, mountains, and rainforests all within a short drive.

Neighborhoods like Costa del Este and Santa María have family-friendly communities, parks, sports clubs, and a strong network of international families who have gone through the same transition.

Panama uses a territorial tax system, which means you only pay income tax on income earned inside Panama. Income earned from foreign sources — foreign employment, remote work, investments abroad, or pensions — is completely exempt from Panama income tax.

This makes Panama extremely attractive for retirees, remote workers, and investors who earn income outside of Panama. We work with certified accountants to help you understand your exact tax situation and set up the right structure from day one.

Yes, but the process has become more rigorous in recent years due to international banking compliance requirements. Most banks require:

• Valid passport and proof of residency or visa application
• Two bank reference letters from your current bank
• Proof of income or source of funds
• Minimum opening deposit (varies by bank)

We have established relationships with local banks and guide you through the entire process to maximize your approval chances.

For the visa and residency process, yes — Panamanian law requires that immigration applications be submitted by a licensed local attorney. This is not optional.

At GoPanamaNow, our team includes immigration lawyers who handle this on your behalf. You do not need to find a separate lawyer — we coordinate everything under one roof so your process is seamless, transparent, and properly managed.

We are a full-service relocation company based in Panama City. We work with you from your very first question all the way to your first day settled in Panama — covering visas, housing, logistics, schooling, insurance, and legal setup.

Our services are organized into flexible packages starting from a Basic orientation session all the way to our Essential Route which covers the full relocation. Pricing is personalized after your questionnaire since every move is different. There are no hidden fees — we are transparent about costs from day one.

The best first step is to take our free questionnaire. It takes about 3 minutes and helps us understand your situation — who is moving, your timeline, visa needs, housing preferences, and budget. From there we build you a personalized Panama roadmap at no cost.

If you prefer to talk first, you can book a free 15-minute intro call or reach out directly on WhatsApp. There is no pressure and no commitment — just real answers from people who live here.