Panama (PA)
Panama is one of the most popular expat countries in the Americas in 2026, especially for retirees, remote-income households, investors, entrepreneurs and families who want US-dollar living, strong air connectivity, private healthcare and established expat communities.
Capital: Panama City
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: USD ($)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 55)
Emergency: 911
Premium
Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Panama.
Get written scope, fee schedule and estimated timeline before paying any retainer. Verify bank-account holder names match the person or firm you engaged. For immigration, tax, property and labour matters, use professionals licensed and actively practising in Panama — not general international advisers without Panamanian-specific knowledge. Ask for client references and check Colegio de Abogados or CCPA registration. A lower quote without a written engagement letter is often a higher total cost by the end of the matter.
Language options: Most professional services in Panama are conducted in Spanish. For immigration, tax, property and legal matters, get key documents and advice in Spanish (the language of Panamanian law) plus English translation where needed. In Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro and Coronado, many professional firms have English-speaking staff or partners. For public-sector appointments (DGI, Migracion, CSS, MITRADEL), Spanish fluency or a Spanish-speaking representative is strongly recommended. Certified interpreters can be hired for official appointments at USD 80-200/hour.
Immigration lawyer / facilitator
USD 2,500-8,000 for standard residency applications (Pensionado, Friendly Nations); USD 5,000-20,000+ for complex corporate or investor routes; consultation USD 150-400/hour How to find: Bar association referrals (Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama), consulate recommendation lists, long-term expat community referrals and verified reviews. Avoid anyone who cold-approaches at the airport or offers visa shortcuts.
Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama (CNAP)
💡 Get a written engagement letter with scope, fee schedule and estimated timeline. Verify the attorney is registered with CNAP. Never allow them to keep your original passport for extended periods. Ask them to explain the exact Servicio Nacional de Migracion checklist for your route before paying a retainer.
Contador / tax accountant (CPA)
Monthly bookkeeping/accounting: USD 500-3,000/month (small business); annual personal ISR return: USD 800-2,500; one-off RUC/regime setup: USD 400-1,200 How to find: Colegio de Contadores Publicos Autorizados de Panama (CCPA) directory. Ask for a contador with expat and foreign-income experience, DGI e-Tax/NIT access fluency and English ability if needed.
Colegio de Contadores Publicos Autorizados de Panama (CCPA)
💡 Confirm the contador is registered with CCPA. Ask them to explain your ITBMS, ISR and DGI electronic-invoice obligations in your specific situation before signing. Do not accept tax advice that ignores your foreign-source income or the territorial analysis.
Notario publico (Notary Public)
Transaction-based fees set by law, plus office charges; property deed notarisation commonly USD 1,000-5,000+ depending on transaction value; corporate documents USD 300-1,500 How to find: Notaries are official government-appointed officers. Find one near the relevant Registro Publico office or property location. For important transactions, choose independently — not only the one recommended by the other party.
💡 Get a clear fee estimate before starting. The notary formalises the transaction but may not investigate every buyer-specific risk — hire independent legal counsel for due diligence separately from notarisation.
Real estate lawyer / buyer adviser
Property purchase review: USD 1,500-5,000+ depending on value and complexity; full due diligence and closing representation: USD 3,000-10,000+ How to find: Use independent counsel — your own lawyer, not the developer's, notary's or seller's. Look for experience in restricted zones (coastal, island, border), rights-of-possession or concession structures, and Panamanian condo law.
Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama (CNAP)
💡 Confirm Registro Publico title status independently before paying any deposit. Do not rely on the seller's or notary's assurance alone. For coastal or island property, always check restricted-zone status and whether a bank trust or other structure is required.
Real estate agent / broker
Seller typically pays 4-6% commission; buyer usually pays nothing directly but commission is priced into the sale price How to find: Panama lacks a mandatory national licensing regime. Look for ACOBIR (Asociacion de Corredores de Bienes Raices) members and agents with verifiable long-term local track records and client references.
ACOBIR (Asociacion de Corredores de Bienes Raices)
💡 Always request the Folio Real (Registro Publico title number) for any property before visiting. Never pay a deposit before lease or purchase review is complete and title/Registro Publico status is confirmed. Get a written brokerage agreement.
Insurance broker
Commission-based (typically paid by the insurer at no direct cost to you); independent advisory fee USD 200-600 for complex family or business policies How to find: Use brokers who understand both local Panamanian health and liability products and international expat health plans. Ask which insurers they represent and whether they offer unbiased comparisons.
💡 Get exclusions, renewability, pre-existing condition treatment and hospital network confirmed in writing before purchasing. Do not accept a policy without understanding what is NOT covered. Ask specifically whether your chronic conditions, medications and planned medical procedures are covered.
Labour lawyer / employment adviser
Consultation: USD 150-400/hour; contract review: USD 500-2,000; dismissal or labour dispute representation: USD 2,000-15,000+ How to find: Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama or referral from the expat business community. Critical for negotiating contracts, disputing dismissal, resolving CSS issues or challenging contractor misclassification.
Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama (CNAP)
💡 Ensure the lawyer understands both Panamanian Labour Code (MITRADEL) and foreign-worker work-permit obligations. Ask specifically about CSS contribution calculation, decimo tercer mes and termination notice requirements before signing any employment contract.
Family lawyer (matrimonial / custody)
Consultation: USD 150-350/hour; divorce or custody proceedings: USD 3,000-20,000+ depending on complexity and whether contested How to find: Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama. For cross-border family matters (Hague Convention, international custody, foreign-marriage recognition), look for international family law experience.
Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panama (CNAP)
💡 Ensure the lawyer has experience with international parents, foreign document apostilles and jurisdictional questions between Panamanian and foreign courts. Name spelling and surname order on Panamanian documents must align with your foreign documents.
Financial adviser (Asesor financiero)
USD 150–400/hour (independent). Commission-based at banks: free initial. AUM-based advisers: 0.75–1.5%/year. How to find: Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SMV — smv.gob.pa) for registered investment advisers and securities intermediaries. Major banks: Banco Nacional, Balboa Bank, HSBC Panama, Multibank. International expat financial advisers active in Panama: Spectrum IFA Group, Holborn Assets, deVere Group. Panama is a major financial centre — many independent wealth managers specialise in expat planning.
SMV (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores — smv.gob.pa)ABP (Asociación Bancaria de Panamá)
💡 Panama's territorial tax system (only Panama-sourced income taxed) is a major draw for expats — a financial adviser who understands both Panamanian taxation and your home country's obligations is valuable from day one. Panama is a major financial centre — use an SMV-registered adviser for investment services. For US citizens, FATCA compliance requires careful planning — seek a FATCA-familiar adviser.
Certified translator (Traductor Publico Autorizado)
Certified translation: USD 80-300 per document; interpretation at appointments: USD 80-200/hour How to find: Use a registered Traductor Publico Autorizado (TPA) for all official documents — immigration, notary, court and government filings require certified translation, not informal translation.
💡 Verify the translator's TPA registration before paying. For immigration and notary submissions, only TPA-certified translations are accepted. Keep a PDF copy of every certified translation you commission.
Professional Services
Unlock the complete Professional Services guide for Panama — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere