🇵🇦 Panama Relocation Data 2026
Key statistics for expats and relocators
Data updated · Region: Americas · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)
Overall Score
43/100
Global Rank
#64/95
Est. Monthly Cost
$1,550
Dimension Breakdown
Confidence: 84%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Affordability Index | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 46/100 | Moderate |
| Rent | 76/100 | Affordable |
| Property Purchase | 76/100 | Affordable |
| Utilities | 76/100 | Affordable |
| Transport | 68/100 | Moderate |
| Overall (composite) | 43 | higher = more expensive |
Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $1,550 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).
Top Cities in Panama
| City | Est. Monthly Cost | Cost Index | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| David | $1,550 | 43 | 61 |
| Colon | $1,550 | 43 | 61 |
| Santiago | $1,550 | 43 | 61 |
| Panama City | $1,650 | 45 | 52 |
Tax Overview
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Top Income Tax Rate | 25% |
| VAT / GST | 7% |
| Corporate Tax | 25% |
| Effective Rate at $60K | 13.9% |
Special Tax Regimes
- Territorial tax system
- SEM visa tax benefits
One of the most tax-friendly countries. Territorial system.
Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)
| Gross Income (USD) | Effective Rate | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 21% | $3,273 |
| $100,000 | 24% | $6,317 |
| $200,000 | 25% | $12,567 |
Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.
Visa Access by Passport
| Passport | Access Level | Max Stay (days) | Work Allowed | Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Visa-Free | 180 | No | Yes |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Visa-Free | 180 | No | Yes |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Visa-Free | 180 | No | Yes |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Visa-Free | 180 | No | No |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Visa-Free | 180 | No | No |
Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).
Key Facts
| Capital | Panama City |
| Population | 4.4 Million |
| Currency | Balboa (PAB) / US Dollar (USD) |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Region | Central America |
| Timezone | EST (UTC-5) |
| English Proficiency | Moderate |
How to Cite
WhereNext. "Panama Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/pa. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.