Relocating to Panama: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Before you move

1. Choose your residency option based on your income, your plans to work and whether you want permanent residency from the start (see Panama visa options).
2. Visit and pick an area: compare the capital, the mountains and the beach in where to live in Panama and work out a budget.
3. Get your documents at home: criminal record, birth and marriage certificates and proof of income, apostilled or legalized (see embassies and consulates). Request the ones that expire close to your filing date.
4. Review your taxes at home: what happens to your tax residency when you leave and how your income will be taxed (see tax residency).
5. Arrange health insurance that covers you in Panama from day one (see health insurance).
6. Plan your belongings and pets: shipping, the household goods exemption for pensionados and the requirements for pets.

When you arrive

1. Enter Panama with the right visa or as a tourist, and declare cash of USD 10,000 or more.
2. File your residency application through a Panamanian lawyer before your tourist stay expires (see National Immigration Service). You will receive a provisional card while it is processed.
3. Rent a home with a registered lease, which also serves as proof of address (see renting a home).
4. Open a bank account with a reference letter from your bank at home (see opening a bank account).

Once you have residency

1. Get your resident ID card and, when you are a permanent resident, the cédula E (see permanent resident ID card).
2. Convert your driver's license (see driver's license).
3. Register with the tax authority if you will have income in Panama (see RUC and NIT).
4. Get a work permit if you will work for a Panamanian employer (see work permit).
5. Make a will in Panama if you own assets there (see making a will).
6. Keep your permit up to date and apply for permanent residency when you qualify (see permanent residency).