Fast-track your citizenship process with 100% legal compliance.
If you or your child was born in Panama, you might already qualify for Panamanian citizenship, no forms, no applications, no waiting periods. But the rules can get tricky, especially if you’re born in the Panama Canal Zone, or your parents aren’t Panamanian. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about Panama citizenship by birth, how it works under the law, and what options are available for families with historical ties to Panama.
Panama grants citizenship by birth (jus soli) to individuals born on Panamanian soil. This includes anyone born in:
This right is enshrined in Article 9 of the Political Constitution of Panama, which outlines who is automatically considered a Panamanian national at birth.
Panama’s goal is to ensure that people born in the country, or born to Panamanian parents abroad, are included and protected under national law. This benefits:
Citizenship by birth provides full legal rights in Panama, including the ability to live, work, invest, and apply for a Panamanian passport.
The Panama Canal Zone birth citizenship cases are more complex.
The Canal Zone was under U.S. jurisdiction until 1979, but some individuals born there can still qualify for Panamanian citizenship, especially if:
If you were born in the Canal Zone, your legal status depends on your birth year and your parents’ nationality. Some may also qualify for U.S. citizenship depending on other criteria, but this does not cancel out the right to Panamanian nationality.
To claim or verify Panama citizenship by birth, you’ll likely need:
Panama requires applicants to work with a licensed immigration lawyer to handle any citizenship claim. This is mandatory by law.
You must appoint a Panamanian attorney to represent you during the application process.
We review your birth certificate, parental documents, and Panama connection.
Our team helps you obtain, translate, and apostille all necessary paperwork.
Once approved, your certificate is issued, often within a couple of business days.
For Canal Zone or foreign-born cases, we file your documents with the Civil Registry.
Once approved, your certificate is issued, often within a couple of business days.
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 believe you were born in Panama or the Panama Canal Zone, or have Panamanian parents, this route is likely the fastest and most cost-effective way to become a legal citizen. However, if you’re not sure about this citizenship path, you should see what other applicants are saying. Their stories may help clarify your own situation.
UK
USA
Canada
Yes, Panama may require a formal renunciation under its Constitution, but in practice, dual citizenship is tolerated. You can be a Panamanian citizen and keep your original nationality, especially if the other country permits it.
If you were born in the Canal Zone before 1979 and at least one parent was Panamanian, then you likely qualify as a citizen. Legal review of your documents is key to confirm your status.
Yes. If both parents are Panamanian by birth, you can claim citizenship by descent, but you must register your birth at a consulate or civil registry in Panama.
No, parents do not automatically get citizenship if their child is born in Panama. However, they may be eligible for a residency permit through their Panamanian child, which can lead to permanent residency and later, naturalization if all legal requirements are met.
Citizenship in Panama is accessible but not automatic unless you’re eligible by birth. For others, it usually requires five years of legal residency, Spanish language skills, and ties to the country. Hiring a qualified immigration lawyer makes the process smoother and increases approval chances.
Panama’s Constitution requires an oath of renunciation, but in practice, dual citizenship is tolerated. Many applicants retain their original nationality, especially if the other country permits dual status. Legal advice is recommended to ensure compliance based on your country of origin.
