Looking to obtain Panamanian citizenship and a Panama passport? This updated 2025 guide explains how you can apply for citizenship in the simplest and most efficient way, with full support from our legal team.
Panama citizenship grants you full legal rights as a national of the Republic of Panama. , including the ability to live, work, vote, and hold a Panama passport. There are several legal pathways to obtain Panama citizenship, such as birth, descent, marriage to a Panamanian citizen, long-term residency, and naturalization. Each route has specific requirements, but all lead to full national status and the benefits that come with being a Panamanian citizen.
The benefits of Panama citizenship go far beyond having a travel document. Here’s why so many people choose Panama as their second passport destination:
Visa-free access to more than 140 countries with a Panama passport
No tax on foreign income under Panama’s territorial tax system
Eligibility for dual nationality with many countries
A politically stable and globally connected environment that offers long-term security
Access to high-quality healthcare, banking, and investment opportunities
Panama citizenship is also an excellent option for those seeking a second nationality as a long-term Plan B, offering future protection, mobility, and stability. Whether you qualify through naturalization, investment, or family ties, the advantages are significant and lasting.
There are several legal paths to obtaining Panama citizenship. Below is an overview of each option according to Panama’s nationality law.
If you are born in Panama, you automatically acquire Panama nationality at birth, regardless of your parents’ nationality or whether you leave the country afterward. Birthright citizenship is one of the most straightforward pathways under Panama’s citizenship law.
If one or both of your parents were born in Panama, you may qualify for Panama citizenship by descent, even if you were born abroad. This pathway applies to individuals who can legally prove Panamanian parentage and meet the documentation requirements established by nationality law. In some cases, eligibility may also extend to those with Panamanian grandparents, depending on the circumstances and legal proof available.
For investors, Panama offers a legal path to citizenship through long-term residency rather than direct purchase. Although it is not as fast as some other jurisdictions, you may qualify for Panamanian naturalization after five years of permanent residency, or three years in specific cases, by investing through one of the approved residency programs, such as:
You cannot directly “buy Panama citizenship” or “buy a Panama passport,” but making a qualifying investment is a legitimate pathway toward obtaining naturalization once the required residency period is fulfilled.
If you are married to a Panamanian citizen, you may qualify for Panama citizenship by marriage. Under Panama’s nationality law, you can apply for naturalization after at least three years of legal residency and verified marital cohabitation in Panama. During this time, the relationship must be genuine, stable, and fully documented.
This is the most common route for expats. To qualify, you must:
The general requirements to apply for Panama citizenship may vary depending on your specific pathway, but there are core legal steps that all applicants must follow. Below you’ll find the essential documents and conditions needed for every citizenship process.
Be at least 18 years old
Hold valid permanent residency status
Have lived legally in Panama for the required period, typically three or five years depending on the category
Provide a clean criminal record from Panama and your country of origin
Demonstrate basic Spanish language skills
Pass the Panama citizenship exam, which covers history, culture, and constitutional principles
Prove financial solvency or stable income
Submit original civil documents, including your birth certificate, passport, and residency ID
To get started, the law requires that you hire a Panamanian immigration lawyer. This is not optional, applications must be filed by a licensed attorney under Panama’s naturalization law.
Once you’ve selected your legal advisor, here’s how the full process works:
A Panamanian attorney is required to prepare and submit your application.
You must apply for one of the approved visa types (Friendly Nations, investment, marriage, etc.).
Stay legally in the country for 3 to 5 years depending on your category.
All documents must be translated to Spanish and apostilled in your home country.
Take Citizenship Test
Your lawyer will file your full citizenship application with the Tribunal Electoral.
Upon approval, you will get your Panama ID and Republic of Panama passport.
Warning:The steps outlined above reflect the process carried out exclusively by our attorneys, backed by more than 15 years of experience and a record of 0% visa rejections. Thanks to this expertise, most applications are finalized in just 3 days. Working with traditional firms often results in longer waiting times, and incomplete documentation can significantly increase the risk of delays or even a visa denial.
Meet the lawyers who will guide your journey, experts in Panamanian immigration law, fluent in English, and dedicated to helping remote professionals like you make a successful move to Panama. You’re not just hiring a service, you’re gaining trusted legal allies.
If you’re looking for a second passport, low taxes, and a safe place to live or invest, getting citizenship in Panama may be the smartest move for your future.However, if you’re not sure about this visa, you should see what other applicants are saying. Reading real experiences from clients can help you decide if this is the right path for your goals.
Panama generally allows dual citizenship in practice, though it doesn’t officially recognize it under all circumstances. The key is not to renounce your previous nationality unless required. Many Americans and Europeans keep both passports without issue.
UK
USA
Canada
Yes. While Panama doesn’t officially promote dual nationality, it allows it in practice. Many people keep their original passport and also hold a Panama second passport.
You must legally reside in Panama for five years (or three if married to a Panamanian) before applying. The naturalization approval process typically takes 12–24 months after submission.
There’s no direct way to buy Panama citizenship. However, investment residency options can lead to citizenship over time if you fulfill the required conditions and live in Panama legally.
While Panama’s law technically requires renouncing your prior nationality during naturalization, in practice, many applicants retain dual citizenship. Panama does not enforce the renunciation unless it’s also confirmed by the applicant’s original country — making dual citizenship widely accepted in real-world cases.
Panama is among the most accessible countries for citizenship through legal residency, thanks to its Friendly Nations Visa and low physical presence requirements. Other relatively easy options include Argentina, Mexico, and Paraguay — but Panama stands out for its fast processing, tax benefits, and global access.
To get permanent residency in Panama, you must apply under a qualifying visa such as the Friendly Nations Visa. This typically requires citizenship from an eligible country, a local economic connection (like property ownership, a business, or employment), a clean police record, and a local bank deposit.
