Panama grants permanent residency to foreigners who invest in real estate through the Qualified Investor program. Under Executive Decree 17 of September 8, 2026, the minimum is US$300,000 for a new property bought from the developer (first sale) and US$500,000 for a resale property.

By Kabasso Pieck Real Estate Group · Legal sources checked on November 4, 2026 · Property counts from our catalog, updated automatically (2026-11-04)

What the Qualified Investor program is

It is Panama’s residency-by-investment route. You make a qualifying investment with your own money, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) certifies it, and the National Migration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migración) grants the residency.

The current rules come from Executive Decree 17 of September 8, 2026, published in Official Gazette 30613 on September 16, 2026. It replaced Executive Decree 722 of 2020. According to the law firm Díaz & Asociados, approved applicants receive permanent residency directly, without a temporary stage first.

Current minimum amounts

  • New property, first sale: US$300,000. Bought from the developer, new and never occupied.
  • Pre-construction (promise of sale): US$300,000, with the payments held in trust or backed by an irrevocable bank guarantee.
  • Resale property: US$500,000. This covers property that was already sold, lived in or rented before.
  • Securities on the Panama Stock Exchange: US$500,000, through a licensed brokerage firm.
  • Fixed-term deposit: US$750,000 at a licensed private bank, or US$500,000 at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros.

Sources: MICI (September 21, 2026), EY Panama (September 28, 2026) and Díaz & Asociados. Links at the end.

Does the minimum go up to US$500,000 in October 2026?

Not for new property. Some ads said the US$300,000 option would end on October 15, 2026. The new decree, dated September 8, 2026, keeps US$300,000 for first-sale property, as MICI announced. What does cost US$500,000 is a resale property. If someone pushes you with a deadline, ask your lawyer to show you the rule.

Main requirements

  • Your own funds, from abroad and traceable. EY says the funds must be your own, lawful and traceable; gifts from third parties do not count toward the minimum, according to Díaz & Asociados.
  • Keep the investment for five years, with proof every year before MICI.
  • The value that counts is the lower of what you actually paid and the market value, so an appraisal below the price can leave you short of the minimum. If you use a mortgage, ask your lawyer how much of the investment counts.
  • Personally or through a company in which you are the ultimate beneficial owner (EY).
  • Dependents: Díaz & Asociados lists spouse, children under 18 and dependent students between 18 and 25. Your lawyer confirms each case.

Step by step

  1. Hire an immigration lawyer in Panama before you sign anything. They confirm the property qualifies (first sale or resale) and how the funds must come in.
  2. Choose the property and sign. The general buying process is in our guide on how to buy property in Panama.
  3. Bring the money from abroad through the bank, keeping all transfer records.
  4. Register the deed at the Public Registry in your name (or your company’s).
  5. MICI reviews the investment and issues the investment certificate (valid for three months, per EY).
  6. Your lawyer files the residency application with the National Migration Service.

According to Díaz & Asociados, the decree gives MICI up to 15 business days and Migration up to 30 business days once the file is complete. These are legal maximums, not guarantees.

What we have today in that price range

In our catalog there are 135 homes for sale from US$300,000 and 100 from US$500,000. Of those from US$300,000, 24 are listed as new or pre-construction. Whether a specific unit counts as a first sale is something your lawyer must confirm with the documents, not the listing.

See them in the catalog, compare areas in the neighborhood guide or look at the beach properties.

And the Friendly Nations visa?

It is a different category, for citizens of a list of countries, with its own requirements (for example, a job or an investment). We could not confirm the current amount and country list in an official source, so we do not publish it: ask an immigration lawyer.

General information, checked on November 4, 2026. These are estimates, not legal or tax advice: rules change and every case is different, so confirm yours with your lawyer or accountant. Immigration rules can change by decree.

Sources

Checked on November 4, 2026:

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to invest in real estate to get residency in Panama?

Under Executive Decree 17 of 2026, US$300,000 for a new property bought from the developer (first sale) or under a promise of sale with a trust, and US$500,000 for a resale property (MICI and EY, September 2026).

Is the residency permanent?

According to Díaz & Asociados, approved applicants receive permanent residency directly. You must keep the investment for at least five years and prove it every year.

Can I buy the property through a company?

Yes, as long as you are the ultimate beneficial owner of the company and the funds are your own and come from abroad (EY, September 28, 2026). Your lawyer confirms the structure.

Shall we talk about your next property?

Joseph Pieck and David Kabasso work with you in person: +507 6916-2104 · [email protected]

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