Expat families moving to Panama will find several visa and residence permit options. These include:
The requirements of each visa vary, and typically depend on how much you invest financially (e.g. buying property) or the amount of time you spend in the country.
Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular visa options.
Qualified Investor Visa
The Qualified Investor Visa, known as the red-carpet visa, is attractive because it offers immediate permanent residence. To gain this visa, you’ll need to invest US$500,000 in property, deposit a significant sum in a licensed Panamanian bank, or invest in the country’s stock market.
Friendly Nations Visa
If you’re a citizen of one of 55 countries, which include the US and most of Europe, you can apply for a Friendly Nations Visa. This route starts with temporary residence for two years, after which you can apply for permanent citizenship. You’ll need to invest US$200,000 in property, the formation of a company, or as a deposit in a local bank.
Self-Economic Solvency Visa
The Self-Economic Solvency Visa grants temporary residence on the condition that you invest US$300,000 in property or a licensed bank account, or buy US$500,000 in Panamanian securities. This visa is valid for two years before becoming permanent, with the option of applying for citizenship after five years.
You can find detailed information about visas and entering Panama on the government’s website.
Panama City offers outstanding medical services, which cost significantly less than in many Western countries.
Private healthcare in Panama
Panama City’s state-of-the-art private hospitals and clinics offer:
Top-rated private hospitals in Panama City include Hospital Punta Pacífica (Johns Hopkins International affiliate) and Centro Médico Paitilla.
Health insurance options
Most of our families take out one of the three healthcare insurance options:
Choosing the right place to live is perhaps the biggest decision you’ll make when relocating to Panama City. Each area offers a distinct lifestyle, amenities, and community feel – and it’s important to consider what will work for your family.
Costa del Este
East of Panama City, close to the city center and just 15 minutes from Tocumen International Airport, you’ll find the exclusive planned community of Costa del Este.
Located on the beach, Costa del Este is home to wide streets, beautifully designed buildings, palm trees, and a mix of green and urban spaces. It’s arguably Panama City’s premier district, with a layout and amenities you won’t find in many other cities in Latin America.
Punta Pacifica
Punta Pacifica is a high-end neighborhood that features some of Panama City’s most prestigious addresses. Accommodation includes luxurious oceanfront high-rises and apartment buildings. It’s a high-end, family-friendly area, which is safe and secure, and close to lots of great amenities.
Clayton/Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge)
Located near the former Canal Zone, Clayton offers a unique campus-like environment within the City of Knowledge complex.
Popular with families, academics, and nature-lovers, the area features lush green spaces and proximity to Camino de Cruces National Park. It’s a quiet, peaceful place to live, with a variety of accommodation options, including townhouses and family homes.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a middle ground between the luxury of Punta Pacifica and the central convenience of areas like El Cangrejo. This flourishing neighborhood is home to the city’s largest urban park, Parque Omar, a mix of residential and commercial areas, and a good restaurant scene and amenities. Accommodation includes houses and low- and high-rise apartments.
Panama City has it all. As well as being home to iconic landmarks, including the Panama Canal and Casco Antiguo, the city boasts tropical rainforests, sandy beaches, modern museums, and high-end shopping and dining experiences.
Below, we’ve listed some of the best activities for families living in Panama City.
Public transport
One of the most popular forms of transport in Panama City is the metro system. The metro is fast, efficient, and reliable, with multiple lines crisscrossing the city from north to south and east to west.
Panama City’s metro stations are well-connected to major bus routes, too, making it easy to move between different types of transportation. The buses reach every corner of the city – including Tocumen International Airport – making them suitable for local trips and shorter journeys.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful in the main areas of the city. They’re usually yellow or white. A taxi to and from anywhere in central areas should cost no more than US$3 (tariffs are set by the Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre). Uber is also available in the city.
Driving
Compared to public transport, driving is the least efficient way to get around Panama City. Traffic can be heavy, particularly at rush hour, and it’s often difficult to find parking in central areas.
Panama is so much more than a bridge between two continents – it’s a crossroads of cultures, histories, and languages. Living in Panama City, you’ll enjoy rich local experiences, festivals, and delicious food.
Culture
Panama City’s cultural landscape is as diverse and vibrant as its history.
Casco Antiguo, the historic heart of Panama City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a captivating journey back in time. As you wander through its narrow streets, you’ll encounter a rich mosaic of colonial buildings, churches, and plazas, each telling a story of the city’s past.
Panama City also boasts a wealth of museums and cultural institutions that offer insights into its rich heritage and artistic traditions. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Reina Torres de Arauz Anthropology Museum, for example, both provide a fascinating insight into Panamanian culture.
Panamanian people love to celebrate, and the city’s festivals and traditions are a testament to its vibrant cultural spirit. The city's most famous event, the Carnaval de Panamá, is a dazzling spectacle of music, dance, and color that takes place in February. The Fiestas Patrias, meanwhile, is a series of national holidays in November that commemorate Panama's independence from Spain and Colombia.
Panama City’s culinary scene is a delicious blend of indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences, offering a rich variety of flavors and dishes. Whether you’re dining at a high-end restaurant or sampling street food, you'll find that Panama City's cuisine is as vibrant as its culture.
Languages
Panama’s linguistic diversity is testament to its history as a meeting ground for people from all walks of life. By understanding and appreciating this diversity, families moving to Panama City can connect more deeply with the country’s people and culture – turning every conversation into a chance to discover something new.
As a former Spanish colony, Panama’s primary language is Spanish, which is spoken by nearly 90% of the population. Panamanian Spanish has its own distinct flavor, however, shaped by local culture and historical influences.
Thanks to Panama City’s role as an international business hub – and its historical ties to the United States – English is widely understood. Many Panamanians, particularly younger generations, learn English at school and are comfortable switching between languages.
The premium international school in Panama, MET delivers globally recognized academics and transformative experiences that empower our students to make the world a better place.
Every day at the MET, we offer something new to an ambitious international community. Our globally experienced teachers, world class collaborations, and breadth of experiences beyond the classroom lead to transformational growth. These will ensure your child develops the skills and outlook they need to thrive, whatever they choose to do or be in life.
The weather is one of the biggest draws for families moving to Panama City.
Panama has a warm and tropical climate, with year-round sunshine. The weather, of course, does depend on the time of year, with the summer months (mid-December to mid-April) hotter and dryer than the rainy season (May to November). However, you can expect to enjoy clear skies and comfortable weather all year round.
The cost of living in Panama City is around 9% more expensive than in the rest of the country. However, when compared to major cities in North America or Europe, Panama City is extremely affordable.
The city is known for its inexpensive luxury with rents, property prices, groceries, and eating out substantially cheaper than Western capitals.
Want to find out more about what it’s really like to live in Panama City? Our experienced Admissions Team is here to help.
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