A foreign government
For example, US Social Security or a government pension from your home country.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
Retire in Panama · Pensionado visa
Retire in Panama with the Pensionado visa
If you receive a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month from a government, an international organization or a private company, you can live in Panama as a permanent resident.
The minimum drops to US$750 if you own Panamanian property worth more than US$100,000. There is no minimum age, and the permit is indefinite.
- US$1,000monthly lifetime pension
- US$750with property over US$100,000
- +US$250per dependent, per month
- Indefinitepermit, no extension needed
National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado · October 26, 2026
Do you qualify?
Enter your monthly pension and family. The calculator applies the official rule in seconds.
Key takeaways
-
You need a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month; spouses may add their two pensions together to reach it.
-
The minimum is US$750 if you personally own Panamanian property worth more than US$100,000.
-
Add US$250 a month for each dependent.
-
There is no minimum age, and the permit is indefinite: no extension of the permit is needed.
-
Pensionado applicants are exempt from the B/. 250 fee and the B/. 800 repatriation deposit that most residencies require.
What the Pensionado visa is
The Pensionado visa is Panama’s residency for people who receive a lifetime pension. Its official name is the permit of Residente Permanente en calidad de Jubilado o Pensionado, and it is regulated by articles 200 to 203 of Executive Decree 320 of 2008, as amended in 2009.
It is one of the simplest residencies in Panama to understand. There is no minimum age and no investment requirement: what matters is that your pension is paid for life and reaches the minimum amount. The permit is indefinite, so it does not need to be extended.
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 200 to 203, as amended by Executive Decree 26 of March 2, 2009, per the Immigration Service sheet
The income rule, in plain numbers
You need a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month, or its equivalent in another currency. The minimum drops to US$750 a month if you personally own property in Panama worth more than US$100,000. The property must be in your own name: a home held through a company does not lower the minimum.
For each dependent you add US$250 a month, shown with an additional pension or a local bank reference. Spouses may add their two pensions together, so a couple where one spouse applies and the other is a dependent needs US$1,250 a month between them.
| Situation | Monthly pension needed |
|---|---|
| One person | US$1,000 |
| One person who personally owns property over US$100,000 | US$750 |
| A couple, with the spouse as dependent | US$1,250 |
| Each additional dependent | plus US$250 |
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 200 and 201
What counts as a pension
The pension must be paid for life by a foreign government, an international organization or a private company. US Social Security retirement benefits are a pension from a foreign government and are the most common basis for this visa; military pensions are government pensions too.
A private pension or annuity also counts if it is paid for life, with three extra documents: a letter from the fund administrator certifying that it manages the funds, a certificate of good standing of the company, and proof of payment. Disability benefits are assessed case by case, and savings, investment income or rent do not count on their own.
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, article 200; National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP
The documents you will need
You file six personal documents: a notarized power of attorney in favor of your Panamanian lawyer, three passport-size photos, a full copy of your passport certified by a notary, a criminal background certificate from your country of origin or residence, a health certificate and Immigration’s sworn statement of personal background. Around them sits the key document: the official certificate of your pension.
Order matters. The pension letter and the criminal record take the longest, so they come first. Each foreign document is apostilled in the country that issued it and then translated into Spanish in Panama. The health certificate is issued in Panama within the three months before you file, so it comes last.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP; Decree-Law 3 of 2008, article 28
Your spouse and children
Your spouse can be included as a dependent, and you can add your pensions together to reach the minimum. Dependent children can receive a temporary permit until age 25 if they are full-time students. They do not obtain permanent or pensionado status themselves, except children with a proven severe disability.
Each dependent needs the extra US$250 a month of support and proof of the family tie. Dependents have their own government fees, which we list in your written quote.
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 201 and 202
What you pay the Government of Panama
Pensionados pay less to the Government of Panama than most applicants. The regulation exempts them from the B/. 250 application fee to the National Treasury and from the B/. 800 repatriation deposit that other residencies require.
What remains are the fees in Immigration’s fee table, such as the processing card issued when you file, fingerprint filing and foreigner registration, and the permanent residency card, which we confirm before you pay. For every fee we pay on your behalf, you receive an invoice or the official receipt.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee to the Treasury | Exempt |
| Repatriation deposit | Exempt |
| Processing card | B/. 30 |
| Fingerprint filing and foreigner registration | B/. 10 |
| Permanent residency card | B/. 100 |
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 201 and 315
The process, step by step
Most of the work happens before you travel: we check your pension against the rule, you request your pension certificate, and you gather and apostille your documents. Then you come to Panama, your lawyer files with the National Immigration Service, and you register in person, normally once.
By law, Immigration has up to 60 business days to decide, and if something is missing it gives you 15 business days to complete the file. When you file, you receive a processing card valid for six months, and while the application is in process you need a multiple entry and exit visa to travel abroad and come back.
Source: Decree-Law 3 of 2008, articles 28 and 34; Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 16 and 264
Visiting first, and applying from Panama
Many retirees come as tourists first. Most visitors may stay up to 90 days per entry, and the days stamped in your passport are what count. You may ask Immigration for a change of category, such as pensionado residency, during that stay, and if a document arrives late your lawyer can ask for up to 60 more days at least 10 working days before your stay ends.
Source: Decree-Law 3 of 2008, articles 14, 16 and 17; Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 23 to 25, 238 and 239
What you gain
Besides an indefinite permit with no minimum age, pensionados have access to Panama’s retiree discount program under Law 6 of 1987, in areas such as entertainment, transport, hotels, restaurants and medicines. Because the percentages have been amended over time, we send you the current table rather than repeat outdated figures.
One rule to keep in mind: Immigration may cancel a permanent residency after more than two years outside Panama without a justified and authorized absence. It is not automatic, and between two and six years away the residency can be reinstated within 30 business days after you return.
Source: Law 6 of 1987, Official Gazette 20827; Decree-Law 3 of 2008, article 31.3; Immigration Service Resolution 17405 of 2019
How we work with you
Applications are filed by a licensed Panamanian attorney under your power of attorney. We sign a written contract with you before we start, with the services, the fixed fee and what is not included, and you receive an invoice or official receipt for every expense we pay for you.
Every consultation and update is in English, by email or WhatsApp, and we reply within one business day. Every figure on this site is checked against Immigration’s sheet and the decrees behind it, and each page shows the date it was last verified.
Source: Decree-Law 3 of 2008, article 28
Which pensions count
The law accepts lifetime pensions from three kinds of payers. What matters is that the pension is for life.
An international organization
Pensions from organizations such as the United Nations system.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
A private company
Corporate pensions and annuities paid for life, with extra documents from the fund that manages them.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
Why retirees choose the Pensionado visa
An indefinite permit
The permit is indefinite, so it does not need to be extended. Your residency card is a separate document with its own validity.
Lower government costs
Pensionado applicants are exempt from the B/. 250 fee and the B/. 800 repatriation deposit that other residency categories pay.
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, article 201
No minimum age
The requirement is a lifetime pension, not an age. Early retirees qualify too.
Couples can combine pensions
Spouses may add their two pensions together to reach the amounts required, including the US$250 for the dependent spouse.
Pensionado or Friendly Nations?
Both lead to residency, but they ask for different things. The Pensionado visa looks at your pension; Friendly Nations looks at your passport and an economic tie.
| Pensionado | Friendly Nations |
|---|---|
| Main requirement Lifetime pension of US$1,000 a month, US$750 with property over US$100,000 | Main requirement Passport from one of 51 countries plus a job, US$200,000 property or US$200,000 deposit |
| Status Indefinite permit, no extension needed | Status Two years provisional, then permanent |
| Nationality limits None | Nationality limits Only the 51 listed countries |
National Immigration Service, requirements sheets PRP-JP and PPT-PE
Pedasí, Azuero Peninsula
Photo: Franklin Canelon· Unsplash· Unsplash License
How the process works
Most of the work happens before you travel: getting your pension certificate, background check and health certificate ready. Then you come to Panama, we file with Immigration and you register in person.
- 1
Free consultation
We check your pension against the rule and tell you whether you qualify and which documents you need.
Typical time: 15 minutes
- 2
Get your pension certificate
You request the official letter from your pension payer. We check the wording before you apostille it.
Typical time: 1–4 weeks
- 3
Gather and apostille your documents
Background check, health certificate, passport copy and, for private pensions, the fund’s documents.
Typical time: 2–6 weeks
- 4
Travel to Panama and file
We file your application with the National Immigration Service and you complete registration in person.
Typical time: Usually 1 visit
- 5
Approval and residency card
Once approved, you receive your residency card. The permit is indefinite.
Typical time: Varies with Immigration’s workload
Casco Viejo, Panama City
Photo: Azzedine Rouichi· Unsplash· Unsplash License
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum pension for the Pensionado visa?
A lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month. It is US$750 if you personally bought property in Panama for more than US$100,000.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
Does US Social Security count?
Social Security retirement benefits are a pension from a foreign government and are the most common basis for this visa. Disability benefits are assessed case by case. Your benefit verification letter is usually the starting point for your pension certificate.
Is there a minimum age?
No. The requirement is a lifetime pension, not an age.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
Can my spouse and I combine our pensions?
Yes. The regulation lets spouses add their two pensions together to reach the amounts required. A couple where one spouse applies and the other is a dependent needs US$1,250 a month between them. This applies to spouses only.
Source: Executive Decree 320 of 2008, article 201, paragraph; requirements sheet PRP-JP, exception 2
How much more do I need for dependents?
US$250 a month for each dependent, shown with an additional pension or a local bank reference.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
Can my children come with me?
Dependent children can receive a temporary permit until age 25 if they are full-time students. They do not obtain permanent or pensionado status, except children with a proven severe disability.
Source: National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PRP-JP, Jubilado/Pensionado
How we work with you
- A signed contract
- An invoice for every expense
- Licensed attorneys
Official sources · October 26, 2026
Free 15-minute call
Planning your retirement in Panama?
Book a free 15-minute call. We will check your pension and tell you exactly what you need.
- A signed contract
- An invoice for every expense
- Licensed attorneys
If your pension is US Social Security
Social Security calls your proof of income a Benefit Verification Letter. You can download it from your online account, but the US Department of State only apostilles a federal document with an original signature and the seal of the issuing agency. That is why you need a certified letter from Social Security, apostilled with Form DS-4194, which costs US$20 per document and takes up to five weeks by mail.
If you already live outside the United States, plan ahead. The US Embassy in Panama does not have a Social Security office; beneficiaries in Panama are served by the Social Security office in San José, Costa Rica, whose staff visit Panama a few times a year.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications; 2 FAM 1292.1(b); Social Security Administration, FAQ KA-01717
Read the Social Security apostille guide →