Panama Dreams Unveiled

Discover the vibrant journey of relocating to Panama with insights, tips, and adventures from an expat's personal blog.

Thinking About Moving to Panama? Start Here

Immigration & Visa Info

Pensionado Visa Overview
Out of all the ways to gain residency in Panama, this is the route we’ve chosen for our move — so I’m sharing the details from both research and our own firsthand experience.

The Pensionado Visa is designed for individuals who have a guaranteed lifetime income from a government or private pension, social security, or another qualifying retirement plan. The standard requirement is a minimum monthly income of $1,000 USD for the primary applicant, or $750 USD if purchasing property worth at least $100,000. There’s no minimum age requirement — the focus is entirely on proving your steady income.

To apply, you must work through a licensed Panamanian immigration attorney, and the application has to be submitted in person at Panama’s immigration office. Before traveling, you’ll need to gather, notarize, and legalize documents such as your pension verification letter, police background check, and civil documents like marriage or birth certificates (if applying with dependents). Once approved, the Pensionado Visa grants permanent residency and unlocks some of the best retiree benefits in the world — from discounts on healthcare, transportation, and utilities to savings on travel, entertainment, and even restaurant meals.

For us, this visa offers not just a way to live in Panama, but a way to live well — with a balance of affordability, security, and opportunity to enjoy everything this country has to offer.

Pensionado Visa Checklist
Before You Travel to Panama:

✅ Hire a licensed Panamanian immigration attorney to guide the process.
✅ Obtain a pension verification letter from your government or pension provider.
✅ Get a police background check from your home country.
✅ Gather civil documents (marriage certificate, birth certificates for dependents, etc., if applicable).
✅ Notarize and authenticate (apostille) all documents in your home country.
✅ Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Once in Panama:

✅ Provide your attorney with passport copies, recent passport photos, and all legalized documents.
✅ Submit the application in person with your attorney at Panama’s immigration office.
✅ Pay the applicable government fees.
✅ Wait for temporary residency approval, then permanent residency issuance.
✅ Apply for your Panamanian resident card (cedula) once eligible.

Explore Visa Options
Panama Visa application form