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Panama how to move
Panama Country Guide
Everything you need to know about moving to Panama
How to Move to Panama
Moving to Panama can change your life. Make sure to do it the right way.
Moving to Panama is incredibly appealing for US and Canadian expats due to its enticing combination of factors. The country offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to North America, allowing expats to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without sacrificing financial stability. Panama’s welcoming visa programs, such as the Pensionado Program and Friendly Nations Visa, make the relocation process smoother, providing expats with the legal framework to reside in the country hassle-free. The diverse and stunning natural landscapes, coupled with a warm tropical climate, further contribute to the allure, creating a paradise for expats seeking both adventure and relaxation. Panama’s proximity to North America, coupled with its strong expat communities and English-friendly environment, fosters a sense of familiarity, making the transition to this Central American gem particularly attractive for those from the US and Canada.
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StartAbroad's High-level Relocation Checklist
At StartAbroad, we provide our clients detailed, tailored checklists that cover every aspect of their move. By clicking the link below, you can download a high-level relocation checklist that covers the basics of your move abroad. While it is not exhaustive, this checklist is designed to help you get started with planning your move to Panama.
How to Move to Panama as a Retiree
Why Retire to Panama?
Lower cost of living than the US or Canada
Excellent visa options, specifically the Pensioner Visa
Affordable, high-quality healthcare
English is widely spoken
Use of the dollar
Relatively safe and stable
On US time-zones, and only 2.5 hour flight away
Live abroad without giving up US and Canadian-quality amenities
How can you retire to Panama?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Panama. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Define your goals for your life in Panama
- Set your retirement budget
- Decide on your relocation timeline
- Visit the country at least once on a scouting trip
- Decide your residency route, connect with StartAbroad
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Choose where to live in the country
- Decide if you’ll buy or rent
- Create a medical plan, including health insurance, access to medications, access to specialists, and an emergency care plan
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Panama!
Not sure where to start?
Speak with an international relocation specialist for free
How to Move to Panama as a Family
Why move your family to Panama?
English widely spoken
Diverse, highly rated school options
Affordable, high-quality healthcare
Accessibly priced real estate
Attractive visa options
Lower cost of living than the US or Canada
On US time-zones, and only 2.5 hour flight away
Live abroad without giving up US and Canadian-quality amenities
How can you move your family to Panama?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Panama for families. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Start with schools
- Set your budget
- Decide on your relocation timeline
- Visit the country at least once on a scouting trip
- Decide your residency route, connect with StartAbroad
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Choose where to live in the country
- Decide if you’ll buy or rent
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Understand the medical landscape, make sure that your families needs are covered
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Identify childcare if necessary
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Panama!
How to Become a Digital Nomad in Panama
Why become a digital nomad in Panama?
Excellent visa options, including the Digital Nomad Visa
On US time-zones, and only 2.5 hour flight away
Vibrant, active, like-minded community
Lots of coworking spaces and accommodation options
Excellent internet speeds
Lower cost of living than the US and Canada
Access to incredible adventure and eco-tourism
Strong community of like-minded expats
How can you become a digital nomad in Panama?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Panama for digital nomads. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Define your goals + length of stay
- Set your budget
- Speak with your employer or work with an employer of record
- Get started on your Digital Nomad Visa
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Decide where your home base will be
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Ensure that you’ll have fast enough internet where you’re staying
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Book your ticket!
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Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Panama!
How to Move to Panama as a Professional
Why move to Panama as a professional?
Excellent, accessible visa options
Easy access to the rest of the EU
Excellent internet speeds
On US time-zones, and only 2.5 hour flight away
Accessibly priced real estate
Lower cost of living than the US and Canada
Live abroad without giving up US and Canadian-quality amenities
How can you move to Panama as a professional?
There is no one-size-fits all move to Panama for professionals. Here is a broad outline of steps you could take to make your move a success.Â
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- Confirm that your employer has Ok’d the move, and understands the tax implications
- Define your goals + length of stay
- Set your budget
- Decide were in the country you will live
- Get started on your visa, connect with StartAbroad
- Understand tax implications of your move
- Decide where your home base will be
- Identify the best transportation option for your needs
- Take care of banking and money transfer matters
- Ensure that you’ll have fast enough internet where you’re staying
- Make sure you have a place to stay upon arrival
- Book your ticket!
Â
Reach out to info@startabroad.com if you’d like to speak with a relocation specialist to start laying out a roadmap to your life in Panama!
Browse our Panama Country Guide
Helpful resources
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StartAbroad client reviews
StartAbroad made the process easy and manageable. Anna is the BEST, she informed me of the necessary steps to get me to Portugal. StartAbroad helped with housing, needed documents, and the million questions I had. I highly recommend their services if you want an easy and very manageable process to travel and live overseas.
Joyce L.
Portugal Concierge Client
5/5
We hired StartAbroad to help us find a long-term rental in Portugal and we’re extremely happy that we did. Because we wanted to be in the Algarve where longer term rentals aren’t easy to find, Anna from StartAbroad helped us create a wish list that matched our budget [and] still managed to check the boxes that were important to us. Based on that, she compiled listings for us to see as soon as we touched down in Portugal from the US. Armed with that, and a little bit of luck, we were able to find a home that was everything we’d hoped for!
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We feel very confident recommending StartAbroad to anyone looking to relocate abroad.
Richard F.
Rental Search Client
5/5
We greatly appreciated the personable…concierge service that StartAbroad offered. [They] listened to what we said and what we did not say and helped us plan a very fun, but strategic exploratory trip. We were able to see multiple cities during our very brief visit and have a lot of fun along the way.
Tea N.
Exploratory Trip Client
5/5
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