Panama · Pensionado Visa
The Panama Pensionado Visa
Residency for retirees with a lifetime pension, in a territorial tax system that generally leaves foreign income alone.
What it is
Residency based on a lifetime pension
Panama’s Pensionado program grants residency to people who receive a lifetime pension, from a government, an international organization or a private company. As checked September 2026, the pension must be at least US$1,000 a month (B/.1,000), or US$750 if you also own property in Panama worth more than US$100,000, plus US$250 (B/.250) a month of additional means for each dependant, as checked October 2026 (Panamá Digital; Servicio Nacional de Migración requirements). There is generally no minimum age: what matters is the pension.
Pensionado residents are also known for access to local discounts for retirees on a range of everyday services. Combined with Panama’s territorial tax system and the use of the US dollar, it is one of the most popular retirement routes in the region.
We help retirees relocate with peace of mind through residency or citizenship acquisition, tax residency planning, and estate protection.
Who it suits
A good match when
You receive a lifetime pension
Government, employer or private pension income that is paid for life.
You want simplicity
A residency route based on one clear source of income rather than an investment.
You also care about your estate
Relocation is the moment to organize how your assets pass to your family.
Typical documents
What applications generally involve
- A valid passport
- An official letter confirming your lifetime pension and its amount
- A criminal background check, apostilled
- A health certificate issued in Panama
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependents
- Filing through a Panamanian lawyer
The pension minimum and document rules are set by Panama and updated from time to time; we confirm them for your case.
Done for you
How we handle your Pensionado Visa application
You make the decisions. We coordinate the immigration and legal professionals in each country and follow every step, so the paperwork never becomes your job.
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Eligibility
We confirm whether this route fits your income, assets, family and nationality, and compare it with the alternatives before you commit.
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Documents
We give you the exact document list for your case and coordinate certificates, apostilles, translations and local filings.
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Application
Immigration professionals in the country prepare and file the application, and we follow it through each stage with you.
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Follow-through
We plan what comes next: renewals, the move to permanent status, your tax residency and, where it applies, the path to citizenship.
What is the minimum pension?
As checked September 2026, at least US$1,000 a month for life, or US$750 a month if you also own property in Panama worth more than US$100,000. Each dependant needs a further US$250 a month, shown by additional pension or a local bank reference (as checked October 2026). We confirm the current figures before you apply.
Do I have to be a certain age?
The program is generally based on receiving a lifetime pension rather than on age.
Will my pension be taxed in Panama?
Panama generally does not tax foreign-source income. Your home country may still tax your pension depending on your citizenship, the type of pension and any treaty. We look at both sides.
Can my spouse be included?
A spouse and dependents can generally be included in the application with their own documents.
Your next step
Retiring to Panama?
The Global Strategy checks your pension against the program, plans your tax residency and looks at your estate before you move.