Panamanian Citizenship and Dual Citizenship for Foreigners

Who is Panamanian?

• By birth: anyone born in Panamanian territory and, under certain conditions, children of Panamanians born abroad.
• By naturalization: a foreigner who obtains it through a naturalization letter (carta de naturaleza), after living in Panama and meeting the requirements of the Constitution.

If your children are born in Panama, they are Panamanian by birth, even if you hold another nationality.

What does naturalization require?

• Complete the years of residence your case requires: 5 years of permanent residence as a general rule (paragraph 1), 3 years if you have a Panamanian spouse or children (paragraph 2) and, for nationals of Spain and Latin American countries, the period their country requires of Panamanians (paragraph 3).
• Be of legal age and declare your intention to become naturalized.
• Show that you speak Spanish and have basic knowledge of Panama's geography, history and political organization.
• Expressly renounce your original citizenship before the Panamanian authorities.
• Prove good conduct, with criminal record certificates from Panama (the police record) and from your country.

For nationals of Spain and Latin American countries, the Constitution provides reciprocity rules: the residence period may be shorter, such as the 2 years Immigration applies to Spaniards, Mexicans or Colombians.

Will I lose my original citizenship?

Panama requires you to renounce it, but whether that renunciation has any effect is decided by your country of origin. Some countries do not recognize a renunciation made before another state, or allow you to keep their citizenship when you acquire another, in which case you keep both in practice. Others withdraw it from citizens who naturalize abroad. Check with your country before you start.

What is the process?

1. Complete the years of legal residence required, usually with permanent residency.
2. Prepare the documents: passport, resident ID card, criminal record and birth certificates, apostilled or legalized (see embassies and consulates).
3. File the application for a naturalization letter with the National Immigration Service through a Panamanian lawyer. In it you expressly renounce your original citizenship.
4. Pass the Electoral Tribunal's knowledge exam, unless you are exempt, for example through reciprocity with your country.
5. If approved, you take the oath at the Governor's Office; the letter is published in the Official Gazette and you then obtain your Panamanian cédula and passport.

How is it different from permanent residency?

• You no longer depend on renewing your resident ID card.
• You can vote and get a Panamanian passport.
• You gain access to activities and professions reserved for Panamanians, with the limits the law keeps for naturalized citizens.
• Your tax residency does not change with citizenship: it depends on where you live and have your interests (see tax residency).