Moving to Panama: taxes, residence and life

How to become tax resident in Panama: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 8 residence programmes, tax-residency requirements and climate. Explore the basics and compare residence routes.

Open Panama on the interactive map →Programmes de résidence ↓

Planning reference · Data snapshot 2026-10-05

Figures and requirements are indicative database snapshots, not newly verified eligibility decisions or personalised tax calculations. A residence permit does not automatically determine tax residence. Confirm conditions, deadlines and amounts in their original currency with the relevant authorities.

Tax residence in Panama

Permanent home established in Panama, or >183 days in fiscal year (or prior year)

Territorial: foreign income untaxed; tax residence separate from immigration status

Residence certificate: DGI TRC per year: home + economic and family ties; discretionary, 3–5 months

Your previous country applies its own residence tests separately. If both countries treat you as resident, the applicable tax treaty may resolve treaty residence.

Relocation planning guides

Taxes

In Panama the top income tax rate is 25%, dividends are taxed at up to 10% and companies pay 25% corporate tax. Newcomers may use a special regime (0%): Territorial: foreign-source income exempt; friendly-nations visa.

How to move and become tax resident

You can become tax resident in Panama from arrival once you take up residence (Permanent home established in Panama, or >183 days in fiscal year (or prior year)). The typical route is Friendly Nations visa (US$200k property/deposit) or Qualified Investor PR: FN: US$200k real estate or 3-yr deposit (Swiss eligible); QI (Decree 17/2026): US$300k new property, US$500k resale/securities, US$750k deposit; hold 5 yrs There are 7 open residence programmes in Panama — see the list below.

Living there

Panama City has a tropical savanna (wet/dry) climate with winter highs around 30.5 °C and summer highs around 32.5 °C.

Key facts

Top income tax	25%
Dividend tax	10%
Corporate tax	25%
Special regime for newcomers	0% — Territorial: foreign-source income exempt; friendly-nations visa.
Résidence fiscale	dès l'arrivée — Permanent home established in Panama, or >183 days in fiscal year (or prior year)
Voie de résidence typique	Friendly Nations visa (US$200k property/deposit) or Qualified Investor PR — FN: US$200k real estate or 3-yr deposit (Swiss eligible); QI (Decree 17/2026): US$300k new property, US$500k resale/securities, US$750k deposit; hold 5 yrs
Type de climat	tropical savanna (wet/dry) · 30.5° / 32.5° (Panama City)

Residence programmes in Panama

Active programmes

Friendly Nations Visa (Permanent Residence for nationals of friendly countries) — Investissement CHF 160'000 · 2026-10
Rules from Decree 197/226 of 2021 (old US$5k deposit route abolished).
Self Economic Solvency Visa — Investissement CHF 240'000 · 2026-10
Largely superseded by Qualified Investor (direct PR) at similar cost.
Pensioner Visa (Pensionado) — Revenu / an CHF 9'600 · 2026-10
Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers — Revenu / an CHF 28'800 · 2026-10
Executive Decree 198 of 2021; no path to PR.
Small Business Investor Visa — Investissement CHF 128'000 · 2026-10
Work permit / employment-based residence — employment · 2026-10
Family reunification (spouse/dependants of Panamanian or resident) — family · 2026-10

Changes or availability under review

Permanent Residence for Qualified Investors — Investissement CHF 240'000 · 2026-10
New decree in force 16 Sep 2026: resale property raised to US$500k; MICI certificate ≤15 business days, SNM decision ≤30.

Plan your residence route

Residence by investment: compare routes and obligations →Passive-income and financially independent residence →Retirement visas and pensioner residence →Digital nomad visas and tax residency →Entrepreneur and startup residence routes →

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need to spend in Panama to become tax resident?

dès l'arrivée. Permanent home established in Panama, or >183 days in fiscal year (or prior year) Territorial: foreign income untaxed; tax residence separate from immigration status

How much tax will I pay in Panama?

In Panama the top income tax rate is 25%, dividends are taxed at up to 10% and companies pay 25% corporate tax.

Which residence programmes does Panama offer?

Friendly Nations Visa (Permanent Residence for nationals of friendly countries) (CHF 160'000); Self Economic Solvency Visa (CHF 240'000); Pensioner Visa (Pensionado); Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers; Small Business Investor Visa (CHF 128'000)

What is the usual way to move to Panama?

Friendly Nations visa (US$200k property/deposit) or Qualified Investor PR. FN: US$200k real estate or 3-yr deposit (Swiss eligible); QI (Decree 17/2026): US$300k new property, US$500k resale/securities, US$750k deposit; hold 5 yrs

Compare with nearby countries

Argentina · Belize · Bolivia · Brazil · Canada · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominican Rep. · Ecuador · El Salvador

Open Panama on the interactive map

Information générale uniquement – pas de conseil fiscal, juridique, migratoire, en investissement ou financier, ni de relation client. Chiffres simplifiés, indicatifs et parfois dépassés. Vérifiez toujours auprès de l'autorité officielle et d'un professionnel agréé du pays concerné avant d'agir. Les liens partenaires éventuels sont signalés et peuvent nous rémunérer.