Two Panama routes to residence by investment. The Qualified Investor route grants permanent residence on a qualifying investment. The Friendly Nations route opens to nationals of listed countries and begins with temporary status.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Panama offers more than one investment based path to residence. The Qualified Investor route was created by Executive Decree 722 of 2020 and grants permanent residence on a qualifying investment. The Friendly Nations route is open to nationals of a list of countries and starts with temporary residence.
This page sets out both routes and the official source. Confirm every amount and condition with the National Migration Service before you act.
The Qualified Investor route accepts qualifying real estate, a regulated securities investment through a licensed Panama broker, or a fixed term bank deposit held for a set period.
The Friendly Nations route, available only to nationals of the listed countries, can be met through a qualifying property investment or a fixed term bank deposit, and leads to permanent residence after a qualifying period. Confirm the current amounts and the country list with the official authority.
For the Qualified Investor route the National Migration Service reviews a complete file within a stated number of business days and can grant permanent residence on approval. The Friendly Nations route begins with temporary residence and moves to permanent status after a qualifying period. Confirm the current timelines with the official authority.
Costs include the qualifying investment, government and immigration fees and other charges. The figures below are indicative. Confirm the current amounts with the official authority.
Permanent residence lets the holder live in Panama under the conditions of the route. Citizenship and a passport are a separate, later process with its own residence and other conditions under Panama law.
Confirm what each route allows and requires with the official authority.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Investor, real estate | From 300,000 US dollars | Panama property free of liens. Confirm current figure |
| Qualified Investor, securities | From 500,000 US dollars | Through a licensed Panama broker. Confirm current figure |
| Qualified Investor, bank deposit | From 750,000 US dollars | Fixed term deposit for a set period. Confirm current figure |
| Friendly Nations route | From 200,000 US dollars | Qualifying property or fixed term deposit. Confirm current figure and country list |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. National Migration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migracion) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. It is limited to nationals of a list of countries. Confirm whether your nationality is on the current list with the official authority.
No. Citizenship is a separate later process under Panama law with its own conditions.
Yes. Panama has tightened residence rules in recent years. Verify the current position with the official authority before acting.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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