5 Secrets I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Panama

What about retirement on disability? Can that be considered with the Pensionada Visa?

I don't understand exactly. If I want to leave the US to go there but have to wait until it's time to go but be careful because of the expiration dates are only 6 months and the attorneys take a while to do it and Panama moves on their own time, how does it help😮...geesh, I've just confused myself even more. Am I over-thinking or is this a really big issue?? 🤦🏾‍♀️

Thank you for providing the list with all these details (the hidden tricks). I'll maybe take contact with the Embassy of my country in order to have an advice about a trustful lawyer and so on. I am from Switzerland but haven't been there for the last 42 years as I've been living abroad in several countries (in Africa for the last 9 years) I'm elderly and retired, but I'm summoning all my courage to start over somewhere else again because I don't want to remain trapped in the absurd NOM system and the rules imposed by the EU. I've decided to settle in Boquete.

The pensionado visa is the easiest to get. I got in on an investors visa but that was in the year 2000. Now I am a Panamanian citizen so I am good for life. I have been in Panama for 26 years now.

I got my pensionado visa in 2012! Haven't been back in the last two years (except for a cruise)! Returning in January for a cedula! Hope i dont have any problems at the airport! Will take old passport and ID card! Wish me luck!

Outstanding!

Thank you for sharing this valuable information.

So, this was a business pitch. How can you really do the job?

Great video. We give tons of information to our clients because it’s not only about buying real estate here in Panama, it’s about them being able to re-locate safely, with realistic expectations and correct information. Having the right lawyers from the start, knowing who will serve you best depending on your mother tongue and type of visa, what do you need visa wise if you are going to run a business, or retired, etc. Avoid future problems and unnecessary payments and time, working with the right people.

This is spot on! We started the process in April 2025 and now most of the resulting paperwork is expired. The property paperwork that we purchased wasn't finalized until this month. We should have started gathering the stateside documents closer to the time of closing on the property.

Hi, do you know whether the Gorgona neighborhood is affordable? I am a party of one. Last question: Being a party of one, I am also thinking about nursing homes and/or home daycare person to take care of me? By the way, I am fluent in Spanish.

Read all the reviews or replies, sounds like the secret sauce is take your time.
2nd is don't do this on a 5 dollar line of credit.

Honestly I think your making the Apostilles process sound hard; is not that hard and can be ordered with fixers back in US!

Thanks a lot Black Man! Why don’t you point us to few good lawyers

You say that a birth certificate needs to be issued no more than 6 months prior to application. Since birth certificate information never changes why would that be necessary?

Who is telling you that you MUST use a lawyer to process a visa? The Panamanian government website says no such thing.

What you are missing is that you can get a document apostilled after you are in Panama. You just send the document to the appropriate agency in your home country via FEDEX or you have someone in your home country do this for you (i.e., limited Power of Attorney if necessary).

Based on your video I can only say, you have been grossly misinformed from the get-go. The amount of statements that are incorrect is staggering and I can only assume you don't speak Spanish. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience but then again that happens fairly frequent, whether in Panama, Costa Rica, Spain or elsewhere.

Next drivers license. Mine was 4 driving tests, fell for the trap, rental car. Three c omputer tests. Over six unecessary months and multiple esposa fights. Manana.
Ps. Jubilado discount applies only when they say , how they say..expect nothing and lower all your standards. The kid on the bike isn't an engineer, but, will do elect.plumming , ect. anything for a 12pack.
Bueno suerte
Hasta manñana

Do you know anyone/have any clients who immigrated from the UK? ( pensionada visa) I want to do a scouting trip and start the process next summer and love to know how a fellow UK citizen got on. Thanks

I used Marianna Lamboglia Law firm and the process was super easy and super efficient. She’s amazing - communicates well, very thorough, no surprises. It’s so important to leave these processes to the pro’s to get it done right the first time. 🇵🇦

I obtained my pensionado visa 2 months after the application was filed by following my lawyer’s advice NOT to apply during Carnival, National holidays in Nov, or end of year holidays.
Everything considered, Panama’s permanent residency visas are among the least complicated to obtain and most reasonably priced in the world.

I guess I had a decent enough lawyer. At a high level he mentioned most of what is here. I finally got the confirmation this week that my permanent residency Visa was approved, and I can come get it.

1. And speaking of hidden fees, yeah, I found out at the same time that to pick up the permanent Visa will cost us $100 per person. Granted it is not big money, but I've already learned not to be surprised by such things...

2. Another thing to be aware of that they don't really make clear is that you may have to deal with multiple embassies in the US to get your documents handled properly. Your marriage license must be handled by the embassy listed for your state. But the background check for me needed to go to Florida to get handled.

It was a stressful process even with a good lawyer because it is something you obviously want badly, and it is very confusing to navigate. I totally agree with you here in that a decent immigration lawyer is key.

Great video. Great advice.

Dang it!!! This process sounds like a pain in the (__(__). Now I have to reconsider my retirement options. 😒😒😒

My wife and I will touch down in Panama in one month. I super ready to get there like yesterday. Hope to run into you when we get there.

Informative video. I would ask you if it was worth it, but as a subscriber to your channel, I already know the answer. Keep up the good work 👍😊

Great thorough video! Thank you! I have no more questions.

I have been researching for a year and I was unclear on why we had to start in our home country. How many things besides the FBI & birth certificate did I have to get apostled before coming back.

Invaluable video, the best and most comprehensive I have ever watched!

I now know exactly what I have to do.

Thank you! I am looking at 6 years minimum for me and my wife to move there, our first trip to see the country is going to be around May next year. I am usually pretty good with logistics, but this is going to be something next level I think. I will be looking for help of course, and I hope you will be still around doing your thing in 6 years. Maybe I can contact you when we come down.

My sister and I will be starting the process in 2026. Thanks for the tips. This has been very helpful.

Oh wow this very interesting information 🤔.

Was considering retirement here from Europe in a couple more years. No the paperwork headache it's not worth the stress. This is sad because Panama was a serious consideration now i am forgetting this as a retirement destination 😱🙁
SMDH.