Panama Keeps Lower Investment Requirement for Residency Program
The Panamanian government has made permanent changes to its Permanent Residence for Qualified Investors visa by keeping the minimum real estate investment at USD 300,000. This lower threshold, initially set to increase to USD 500,000 after October 2024, is now a permanent feature for investments in completed properties or pre-construction projects, ensuring broader access to Panama’s residency program.
Additionally, the new decree formalizes the option to pay 100% of the property’s value directly to the developer for pre-construction projects. While this method was commonly used, it was not clearly defined in earlier regulations. The option to use escrow agreements with accredited financial institutions is still available, but direct payments now require a bank guarantee from the developer to ensure compliance.
Finally, the decree allows more flexibility for joint ownership of properties. Investors can now qualify if they co-own real estate with a spouse or dependent family members, a shift from previous rules that required the applicant to personally meet the entire investment amount alone. This change makes it easier for families to collectively meet the visa’s requirements.