Canada
Take normal security precautions
Take normal security precautions in Panama.
Panama
Territorial taxation and a retiree-friendly visa program.
Overview
Panama's territorial tax system and the Pensionado visa program make it attractive for retirees. USD-based economy simplifies financial planning for US-origin relocations.
Planning readiness
Travel advisory coverageCost of living coverageCurrency reference coverageQuality of life coverageTax analysis coverageVisa summary coverage
At a glance
Language
- Spanish(Official)
Population4,516,000
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
1 USD = 1.4402 AUD
1 AUD = 0.6943 USD
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionModerateSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Work (Employer-Sponsored), Permanent Residency, Investor, and 4 more.
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- 10% Ordinary Personnel Residence Permit
SNM residence permit for foreign personnel hired by private companies within the 10% ordinary-personnel quota.
- 2 years
- Path to residency
Permanent Residency
- PAÍSES ESPECÍFICOS Permanent Residence
SNM permanent-residence follow-on route for nationals of specified countries with friendly, professional, economic, or investment ties to Panama after the provisional PAÍSES ESPECÍFICOS stage.
Investor
- PAÍSES ESPECÍFICOS Provisional Residence Permit (Investment Basis)
SNM provisional residence route for nationals of specified countries who qualify through the investment basis listed on the official PAÍSES ESPECÍFICOS requirements sheet.
- 2 years
- Path to residency
Retirement
- Pensionado Residence Permit
SNM pensionado residence permit for retirees with a lifelong foreign pension or retirement payment.
- Path to residency
Digital Nomad
- Short-Stay Remote Worker Visa
SNM short-stay remote worker visa for foreign employees or independent contractors working remotely for foreign business activity.
- 9 months, renewable
- Remote/foreign employment only
Student
- Temporary Residence Permit for Education Reasons
SNM temporary residence permit for foreign nationals who will undertake regular full-time studies at recognized public or private educational institutions in Panama.
- No work rights
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Tourist Visa
SNM tourist visa route for travelers who need a Panamanian tourist visa before entry.
- 90 days
Languages
- Spanish(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Panama.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for Panama. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Panama due to crime and potential for civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory.
Do not travel to:
- Parts of the Mosquito Gulf due to crime
- Parts of the Darién Region due to crime
Country Summary: Crime occurs in Panama, including theft and residential break-ins. Crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and purse snatching can happen in tourist areas. The Embassy receives occasional reports of residential break-ins, especially during the holiday season. Demonstrations periodically occur due to local issues and have disrupted some normal travel patterns in the past, including the flow of goods and services to some parts of the country.
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