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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Build Panama community: join Facebook groups, Thursday-Friday expat happy hours in Panama Viejo/Casco Viejo, coworking spaces, Spanish classes, InterNations events.
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.
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.
Grocery shopping in Panama: PriceSmart (bulk), El Rey (mid-range), DIA (budget), mercados (30-50% cheaper produce). $200-800/month typical.
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.
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.
Foreign license valid in Panama temporarily. Residents need Panamanian license: cedula, medical exam, written test (English available), $50-100 fees.
Document matching critical in Panama - name, birthdate must be identical across passport, cedula, bank accounts. Minor variations cause major problems.
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.
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.
