Panama offers a unique combination: a dollarised economy, excellent healthcare, zero taxes on foreign-source income, a tropical climate and one of the world's most famous retirement visa programmes — the Pensionado. It is consistently ranked as a top retirement destination in the Americas.
Last updated: March 2026 — Редакционная команда, eVisa-Card.com
| Capital | Panama City |
| Currency | Balboa / USD |
| Language | Spanish |
| Monthly cost | ~$1,200–2,500/month |
| Visa Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Pensionado Visa | Panama's flagship retirement visa. Requires a guaranteed lifetime pension of $1,000/month from a government or private pension. No age minimum. Permanent residency from day one. No stay requirement. Includes a long list of discounts (20–50%) on healthcare, restaurants, entertainment. |
| Friendly Nations Visa | For citizens of 50+ 'friendly nations' (including USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia). Requires $200,000 in a Panama bank account OR employment with a Panamanian company OR business ownership. Permanent residency. |
| Self-Employed / Business Visa | For investors or business owners. Capital investment of $40,000+ (with at least 3 Panamanian employees). 2-year permit, path to permanent residency. |
| Digital Nomad Visa (Short-Stay Permit) | Panama introduced a Remote Worker Permit in 2021. Monthly income proof $36,000+/year. 9-month renewable permit. Not full residency. |
| Tourist Visa / Stamp | US, EU, UK, Canadian citizens: 180 days visa-free. Many nomads use Panama as a hub and renew easily with a short border run. |
Panama has a two-tier public system: Social Security (CSS) for formal workers and public hospitals (MINSA) for the general population. Pensionado visa holders can access CSS at discounted rates. Quality in Panama City is good; rural areas are underserved.
Panama City has excellent private hospitals: Hospital Nacional, Hospital Punta Pacifica (affiliated with Johns Hopkins), Clínica Hospital San Fernando, Hospital Chiriquí (David). English-speaking doctors are common. Costs are significantly lower than the US.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Private GP consultation | $40–80 |
| Specialist consultation | $80–200 |
| Emergency room (private) | $200–800 |
| Hospitalisation (private, per night) | $400–1,500 |
| Dental cleaning | $40–80 |
| Major dental work | 50–70% cheaper than US |
Health insurance is not legally required for residency in Panama but is strongly recommended. Hospitalisation and specialist care at private hospitals can be expensive without coverage. Pensionado holders receive a 20% discount on private medical services.
Panama is a major banking hub in Latin America. However, post-FATCA compliance has made account opening stricter, especially for US citizens. A Panamanian bank account is essential for visa purposes (Friendly Nations) and daily life.
Panama has among the most foreigner-friendly property laws in Latin America. Foreigners have the same property rights as Panamanian citizens. No restrictions on type of property, location or amount owned. The property market is dollarised.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax (ITBMS) | 2% of higher of sale price or registered value |
| Notary and legal fees | 1–2% of purchase price |
| Public Registry fee | ~$500–1,500 |
| Annual property tax | 0% up to $120,000 value (primary residence exempt to $300,000 for new construction) |
| Agent commission | 3–5% (paid by seller) |
This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. Последнее обновление: март 2026. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.