The Global Expat HubCountries / Panama
Panama
Dollar economy, friendly visas and a capital that feels like Miami with rainforest an hour away.
RegionCentral America
CapitalPanama City
CurrencyUS dollar / balboa
LanguageSpanish
Expat saturationModerate (8% foreign born)
Living cost · Mid-rangefrom $1,650/mo
Drone reel · 4K · muted loop
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🇵🇦 Panama from abovePanama in 60 secondsAerials of Panama City, Boquete, Coronado. Replace this slot with the video element; the text stays overlaid.
Ad
MMeridian Relocation
Door to door to Panama.
One quote, one contact, insured all the way. Packing, customs and delivery to Panama City.
Get a free quote →Trusted by 40,000 families
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CCasa Nova Rentals
Month-to-month homes in Panama City.
Furnished, utilities included, no deposit games. Move in from your phone.
Browse homes →From $900/month
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⚓Anchor Tax Advisors
Two countries. One tax return.
Cross-border tax for Americans and Britons living in Panama. Fixed fees, no surprises.
Book a call →Licensed in the US, UK & EU
Sample creative · fictional advertiserYour moveSets your plan and the listings on flights, hotels, rentals, furnishings, moving and retirement.
Your plan for Panama checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Affordable move$8,350estimated first-year setup · about 33 weeksMid-range move$16,800estimated first-year setup · about 28 weeksLuxury move$48,150estimated first-year setup · about 20 weeksRetirement move$24,400estimated setup incl. visa, insurance and advice · about 48 weeks
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Panama by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
Worth of the dollar$1 = $1US dollar (balboa pegged 1:1); no exchange risk. Live rates ↗
Utilities · 85 m² flat$130/moElectric, water, sewer & garbage
Home internet$40/moBroadband, typical plan
Wi-Fi & connectivity score68/100Median fixed broadband ≈ 140 Mbps
Internet reliability72/100Usually fine; keep a mobile-data backup
English day-to-dayModerateHow far English gets you
Remote-work time zoneGood US overlapGood US overlap, hard for EU
Phone & eSIM$25/moLocal plan · travel eSIM ≈ $22/10 GB
Walkability of cities42/100Car-dependent outside a few districts
Air quality70/100Good outside Panama City traffic; haze in dry season
Healthy food & food safety66/100Adopts US and Codex standards; limited additive bans; fresh produce abundant
Severe weather & hazards35/100 riskOutside the hurricane belt; heavy rains, flooding and occasional earthquakes
Drive on theRightLeft-hand-drive cars · Licence & vehicles →
Time zoneEST (UTC−5)EST (UTC−5), no daylight saving; same as New York in winter
Literacy96%Adult literacy rate
Cost to give birthnear-free for residentsPublic near-free for residents / private $2,500–5,000
Rural land$2,000–8,000per acre · $2,000–8,000 rural; $20k+ near the coast
Beauty of cities70/100Architecture, setting, upkeep and green space
Petrol / fuel$0.95/L≈ $3.60 per US gallon
Doctor visit$40Basic clinic visit, paid privately
Emergency room$250Uninsured visit, before treatment
Dentist$40 / $60Check-up & cleaning / one filling
Life expectancy79 yrsAt birth
Unemployment8%National rate
Remote work & digital nomadsWelcomedShort-Stay Remote Worker visa (9+9 months) for income over $36k
🌤️ Climate
Tropical; hot and humid year-round with a May–Nov wet season and a Dec–Apr dry season. Cooler in the Boquete highlands.
Winter · Jan27°C81°F
Spring · Apr28°C82°F
Summer · Jul27°C81°F
Autumn · Oct27°C81°F
Mean temperatures for Panama City.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 1,900 mm (75 in) a year.
Snow None.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationGaceta Oficial de Panamá ↗
OverviewLaw of Panama on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax 0–1% of registered value; new builds often exempt 5–20 yrs.
Local & regional income tax None; territorial system taxes only Panama-sourced income.
🎓 University
Public university (UP) near-free for residents; private $4–10k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Tigo, +Móvil (Cable & Wireless).
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $25/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $22 for 10 GB.
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Pensionado: lifetime discounts of 15–50% on medical, dining, flights, utilities
- Friendly Nations visa for ~50 nationalities
- Territorial tax: foreign income untaxed
- Property-tax exemptions on new builds
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Panama embassies, warnings, law and reference
US Embassy in Panama↗All embassies and consulates in Panama↗US State Department travel advisory↗UK FCDO travel advice↗Gaceta Oficial de Panamá↗Law of Panama (Wikipedia)↗Panama on Wikipedia↗Visit Panama (official tourism board)↗World Health Organization country profile↗Numbeo cost-of-living data↗
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Visa informationTypes, step-by-step application, where to applyPassport renewalOfficial renewal links and timingLiveability scoreThe rating and what drives itSafety ratingCrime, stability and what the number meansTravel warningsState Department and UN advisories, liveRegional information & cuisineWhere to live and what you'll eatCommunity & meetupsFinding your people
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
FlightsGateways, routes and fares for your research tripHotels & accommodationWhere to stay while you scout, with videoRental propertiesNeighbourhoods, prices and how renting worksFurnishings & home setupFurniture, appliances, utilities and internetMoving & shippingGetting your life across the oceanRetirementVisas, costs and where retirees settle
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Airport taxis & transfersOfficial cabs, apps, rail links and faresTransportationGetting around, driving and licencesTrains, buses & ticketsIntercity travel and where to bookSchoolsInternational, bilingual and local optionsChild care & nanniesNurseries, nannies, au pairs and costsUniversitiesDegrees, fees and student visasPets: vets, boarding & relocationBringing animals, finding a vet and careLanguage classesLearning before and after you landBest restaurantsWhere locals and expats actually eatHospitals & healthcare accessHow to see a doctor, hospitals, insuranceBanking & money transferAccounts, transfers and currencyTax & legal helpResidency, treaties and who to hireJobs boardRoles open to foreigners, updated weeklyCoworking & remote workWork rights, spaces and freelancing
Rated & officialPartners in three tiersOne labelled partner
Life in Panama faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
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Interested in where astrology says you should live?Click here for more info on astrocartography and Panama.
Click here →🕊️ Religious servicesChurches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more🧘 Wellness & spiritualityYoga, retreats, meditation, spas and practitioners🛍️ Retail recommendationsWhere to shop for clothes, tech, homeware and gifts🧺 Groceries & marketsSupermarkets, local markets and what things cost🥾 Recreation & tour guidesOutdoors, sport, day trips and licensed guides📱 Phone & eSIMCarriers, eSIMs, plans and what they cost⛴️ Boats & ferriesFerry routes, marinas, boat rental and ownership🏖️ Beaches, lakes & riversSwimming, water quality and the best spots🚗 Vehicles & driving licenceRent or buy a car, and how to get a local licence🖼️ Art galleries, museums & librariesWhat's free, what costs, and where to start Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning around
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundJobs board · Panama
Search for jobs for free, or post a job for $100 USD.
Roles open to foreigners in Panama: remote work you can do from Panama City, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Free for job seekers, always. Employers pay a flat $100 per listing, live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
Example · Senior Software Engineer (React / Node)Northwind Labs · Remote, US or EU hours
$95,000–130,000USD
Example · English Teacher (adults & business)International Language Centre · Panama City · in person
$2,200–$3,200/moUSD