Panama City Blog Posts

Panama work permits require BOTH residency (Pensionado $1k/mo, Entrepreneur $160k, Investment $300k, Digital Nomad $1.5k/mo) AND MITRADEL permit. Quotas: 10% ordinary, 15% specialized staff.

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Start Panama business: 100% foreign ownership, no local partner needed. 2-4 weeks, $700-$2,050 cost. No residency required. Territorial tax (foreign income not taxed).

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Panama Pensionado visa: permanent residency for retirees with $1,000/month pension income ($750 if buying $100,000+ property). Benefits: 25% restaurant discounts, healthcare/medication savings, territorial tax (foreign pension not taxed). Total cost: $2,300-4,500.

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US citizens get 180 days visa-free in Panama (passport, return ticket, proof of funds). International spouses: EU/Canada/Australia visa-free 180 days; China/India/Russia need embassy visa.

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Panama healthcare: 60-80% cheaper than USA. Doctor visits $25-50 (vs $100-300). Hip replacement $18,000-25,000 (vs $40,000-70,000). Modern hospitals, English staff, private insurance $100-300/month.

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Build Panama community: join Facebook groups, Thursday-Friday expat happy hours in Panama Viejo/Casco Viejo, coworking spaces, Spanish classes, InterNations events.

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Panama diving and water activities: Bocas del Toro reefs, San Blas snorkeling, Pacific wreck diving. PADI certification $300-500 (3-4 days). Group dives $60-120. Year-round diving on both coasts.

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US licenses valid in Panama for 180 days. Americans convert easily with cédula, medical exam ($20-40), and written test—no driving test needed. Keep both US and Panama licenses.

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Grocery shopping in Panama: PriceSmart (bulk), El Rey (mid-range), DIA (budget), mercados (30-50% cheaper produce). $200-800/month typical.

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Import cars to Panama for $3,000-$8,000+ (shipping + 10-20% tariffs + fees). Vehicles must be <5 years old with clear title. Process takes 4-8 weeks. Usually cheaper to buy locally.

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Canadian licenses valid in Panama for 180 days. Canadians convert easily with cédula, medical exam ($20-40), and written test—no driving test needed. Keep both Canadian and Panama licenses.

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Foreign license valid in Panama temporarily. Residents need Panamanian license: cedula, medical exam, written test (English available), $50-100 fees.

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Document matching critical in Panama - name, birthdate must be identical across passport, cedula, bank accounts. Minor variations cause major problems.

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The "Gringo Price" is real in Panama — foreigners pay 20-100% more in markets, taxis, and services. But it doesn't apply at supermarkets, chains, or regulated businesses. Learn Spanish, research fair prices, negotiate, and build vendor relationships to pay local rates.

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Panama's digital driver's license is a smartphone-based ID with full legal validity, requiring a physical Panamanian license and working offline after setup through an official app.

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Best Panama banks for expats: Banco Nacional (largest network), Banistmo (established), Multibank (expat-friendly). Morgan for high-net-worth.

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US credit score does not transfer to Panama - you start fresh. Panama uses ACODEC, not FICO. Build credit with secured loans, bank accounts, on-time payments.

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Shipping to Panama: use UPS or DHL ($50-200+, 3-7 days). Avoid postal for valuables. Import duties apply over $100 declared value.

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Panama has cooperativas, not credit unions—no deposit insurance, no ATM access, occupation-specific membership. Use commercial banks for daily banking.

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"Linea blanca" in Panama includes stove, refrigerator, and washing machine—the 3 essential appliances in most rentals. Know what to expect when apartment hunting.

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