All six Panama residency routes compared, real costs and timelines, and the new-build vs. resale split that decides the math for real-estate-based residency.
| Route | Who it's for | Minimum | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified Investor | Capital ready to deploy now, wants status fast | $300,000 new/first-sale real estate (no expiration); $500,000 for resale | Immediate permanent residency — no temporary phase |
| Pensionado | Retirees with a lifetime pension | $1,000/mo pension (+$250/dependent), or $750/mo + $100,000 property | ~3 months |
| Friendly Nations | Citizens of 50+ eligible countries with savings or a job offer | From $200,000 property, deposit, or qualifying job offer | 2 years provisional, then permanent |
| Economic Solvency | Anyone with qualifying savings or property, any nationality | From $200,000 | 2 years provisional, then permanent |
| Reforestation Investor | Investors open to forestry-linked capital | Varies by project | Immediate permanent residency |
| Retirement/Pensioner alt. | Non-lifetime pension income sources | Case-by-case verification | Varies |
This is not legal or immigration advice. Route eligibility depends on nationality, source of funds, and current regulation — verify your specific situation with licensed immigration counsel before filing. Proper Consulting coordinates route selection and filing.
Executive Decree No. 17, published September 2026, replaced the framework that used to set a single real estate threshold for the Qualified Investor Visa. Now the number depends on the property: $300,000 with no expiration date for a new, first-sale unit bought directly from a developer; $500,000 for a resale property. Pre-construction still qualifies at $300,000, with new bank-guarantee protections on the deposit.
Route selection through Cédula E, coordinated with specialised immigration counsel — many routes filed from abroad.
Documentation prep, introductions and realistic timelines for the part everyone underestimates.
Bookkeeping, ITBMS filings, municipal registration and your annual property tax calendar — handled quietly.
A pre-filtered itinerary matched to your budget and goals — not a fourteen-property weekend.
This dossier is fully readable right here, free, with no form to fill first. For your specific route and timeline, message Proper Consulting directly on WhatsApp at +507 6238-3315, or leave your details below and a person replies.
A person replies — no automated sequences.
All six Panama residency routes, compared side by side, including the Investor Visa's new-build versus resale split under Decree 17.
It introduced a split between new-build and resale real estate for qualifying investment thresholds — see the dossier for the current thresholds and timelines.
Yes — real costs and timelines are covered for each of the six routes, not just the qualifying criteria.