OpenPanama
Panama Qualified Investor Visa: Cost, Requirements & Processing Time (2026)
The short version
Panama Qualified Investor Visa requires a minimum investment of €276,000 (real estate route), with residency in ~1–3 months and a path to citizenship in 5 years.
Investment routes compared
| Route type | Amount (EUR) | Notes | Primary? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate | €276,000USD 300,000 | Purchase of Panamanian real estate, free of liens (libre de gravámenes). Requires Registro Público title certification plus an ANATI valuation. | Most common |
| Real estate | €276,000USD 300,000 | Pre-construction purchase under a promise-of-sale contract, secured either by a bank/fiduciary trust or by a renewable bank performance guarantee covering the full investment. | |
| Bank deposit | €690,000USD 750,000 | Fixed-term deposit, minimum five-year term, free of liens, in a general-licence Panamanian bank. | |
| Company shares / equity | €460,000USD 500,000 | Securities bought through a licensed Casa de Valores on the Bolsa de Valores de Panamá, held at least five years. |
At a glance
- €276,000 minimum qualifying investment
- ~1–3 months expected end-to-end processing
- 5 years of residence citizenship timeline
- No Schengen access travel rights
- No minimum stay physical-presence requirement
Physical presence: No minimum stay required to maintain permanent residency.
Official program source · Source: Gaceta Oficial de Panamá — Decreto Ejecutivo 193 de 15 de octubre de 2024 · Last verified Aug 9, 2026 (4 weeks ago) · Verify current rules with an authorized immigration adviser or the destination's consulate before applying.
Next review 2026-12-09.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
The minimum qualifying investment is €276,000. ~€276K (B/.300,000) real estate, free of liens. Whichever route you use, DE 722 art. 5 requires the investment to be maintained — or reinvested on the decree’s terms — for five years, with annual proof filed through MICI, or the residency is cancelled. The decree sets the amount as a floor (“la suma mínima desde”), not a temporary rate: there is no sunset date and no higher real-estate tier. Qualifying routes: Real estate (€276,000); Real estate (€276,000); Bank deposit (€690,000); Company shares / equity (€460,000) Most applicants use the Real estate route (€276,000).
How long does the Panama Qualified Investor Visa take to process?
Expected end-to-end processing is ~1–3 months. Very fast — typical 30–90 days. No physical presence required during processing.
Can I get citizenship through the Panama Qualified Investor Visa, and when?
Citizenship is available after 5 years of legal residence. 5 years as permanent resident, Spanish language proficiency, integration test. Dual citizenship permitted with Panama by treaty for some countries but generally requires renunciation.
What is the physical-presence requirement for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
No minimum stay required to maintain permanent residency.
Are my spouse and children included in the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
Spouse, minor children, adult children in education, dependent parents can be included.
Does the Panama Qualified Investor Visa grant Schengen access?
No. Panama Qualified Investor Visa does not by itself grant Schengen-area travel rights.
Is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa currently open to new applicants?
The programme is currently open. Real-estate minimum is B/.300,000 with no expiry date. Last amended by Decreto Ejecutivo 193 of 15 October 2024; no further change announced.
Who regulates the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
Panama Qualified Investor Visa is administered by Gaceta Oficial de Panamá — Decreto Ejecutivo 193 de 15 de octubre de 2024. The canonical source is https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/documento/91392. Facts last verified 2026-08-09; next review 2026-12-09.