Unlock The World
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com
Unlock The World
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com
LIVE AND INVEST IN PANAMA
Simply sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, plus our In Focus: Panama newsletter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report… absolutely FREE
Here is all the information you will need if you want to move to Panama including how to ship items, how to travel with pets, and more.
Panama is a standout among global expat locations, offering impressive infrastructure and First World amenities in close proximity to North America. Our comprehensive knowledge of this country allows us to appreciate its many dimensions.
We know Panama from every angle and aspect. And, if you’ve yet to take a position in this country, we suggest you take a close look right now. The opportunities on the table for the retiree, the investor, the entrepreneur, and the adventurer are irresistible.
Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler,andThe New York Times all have published articles within the past few months spotlighting particularly appealing aspects of life in this hub of the Americas.
For example, the east coast of Panama’s Azuero Peninsula has been attracting retirees for the past 20 years and remains an appealing option for a more rustic coastal lifestyle.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
The area in and around Panama City boasts many good international school options and can be a top choice if you’re thinking of making a move to Panama with children.
Many schools offer programs in Spanish and English. Most education is still publicly funded, although you will find some prestigious private and secondary schools in Panama’s major cities.
Panama is a convenient port and it’s easy to ship to, from the U.S., a 40-foot container will fit just about everything you might need. Plus, it can literally be packed in front of your house at home and unpacked in front of your house in Panama.
Remember: There are no taxes on the importation your household goods if you have at least applied for residency in Panama. Taxes do apply when shipping cars.
Also, you’ll need to hire a customs broker to unpack and arrange shipping to your home. Their fees are reasonable.
Moving to Panama with a pet can be a daunting process, but not an impossible one. However, only a few steps are needed, but the timing is what will prove difficult.
From the USDA to the Panamanian consulate, take our advice, follow this guide, and bring that loving pet along.
And, if you are like the vast majority of pet owners, you have a dog. If you are a little less common, you have a cat. If you are outside your mind and hate animals with feelings and warm skin, you have a lizard. (Just kidding…kind of.)
Don’t do this step too early. You need to have your appointment with the vet inside of a two week window from your departure date. This is a requirement in Panama.
Firstly, the vet should have the required International Health Certificate form that must be filled out. But, call in advance to give them notice that you will be needing it for international travel.
You need to check directly with your airline to make sure that you have everything they require for traveling with a pet. These guidelines are pretty relaxed, for the most part, but it is necessary to operate inside of them. Some airlines have specifications for kennel types and food and water being available for the pet. Again, check with the airline and they will be glad to provide this information.
Take your completed, reviewed, authenticated, apostilled documents with you to the airport. Get on the plane and fly to Panama.
Once you arrive in Panama you will provide the documents to the veterinarian on duty. They have lists of all people flying in with pets, and often(not always) stay late to make sure that each pet is taken care of.
You will give the vet your home quarantine request and the health certificate. He will review it and let you leave once you have paid the US$130 fee. Please note that if you do not have your paperwork with you and correct, the pet will be quarantined for 40 days at the airport at a cost to you of US$10 a day.
The process can seem convoluted, but if you follow the steps slowly and methodically, you will be just fine. The only thing that we cannot prepare you for is the wave of heat and humidity that you will feel when you and your pet step out of Tocumen Airports front doors. You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.
Once you’ve determined which visa is appropriate for you, you’ll likely find that you can enjoy import benefits.
Find a permanent address in Panama. Utilities cannot be set up while you’re in another country. You need a lease agreement or property title for your residence along with a passport.
Many condos and apartments already have gas connections hooked up and running, included in the HOA fees. No work is needed on your part.
For homes, gas tanks can be ordered from a local gas company, and they usually show up two to five days after being called. When your tanks is empty, simply call the company and request a refill.
For instance, you have two options in Panama City for gas companies are Tropigas and Panagas. A 10-pound tank of gas costs between US$5 to US$7, depending where in the country you are located.
To set up your electricity, take your lease agreement or property title as well as your passport to the electricity company (likely Naturgy). A deposit is expected to be made, depending on your expected usage.
Also, an appointment is set for them to come to your residence and make the connection, but it usually takes a week or two for them to show, so be prepared for that.
Every month the bill is left near the front of your apartment building or front gate.
Electricity bills can be paid online or at an E-Pago kiosk in a mall or supermarket. Most importantly, after two months without payment, the service will be cutoff, so don’t fall too far behind.
Electricity rates vary depending on where you are living, and even rates in Panama City can change neighborhood to neighborhood.
For example, in Panama City’s El Cangrejo neighborhood, expect a monthly electricity bill of roughly US$50, and double that if you plan on using air conditioning.
For water service, IDAAN (Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales), a government owned company, is who you need to visit.
Bring your lease agreement or property title as well as your passport to their office, pay the deposit, and make an appointment for them to come to your place and get the water flowing.
As with your gas, if you live in an apartment, your water connection may already be included in your HOA fees. A typical monthly water bill in a three-bedroom home is US$60, but this varies with usage. Water bills can be paid at a Rapid Money or E-Pago kiosk in a mall or supermarket.
It’s always good to call ahead before arriving to the utility companies’ offices. It allows you to check when their hours are, confirm you have all the paper work that they request (these things can change), and see if your visit will be expedited by making an appointment.
| IDAAN |
|---|
| 523-8570 |
| 523-8567 |
| Naturgy (Gas Natural Fenosa) |
|---|
| 315-7222 |
| Tropigas |
|---|
| 206-0088 |
| 800-0427 |
| Panagas |
|---|
| 216-0155 (Panama City) |
| 278-6100 (Central Office) |
Why is Panama our favorite country in Latin America…? Honestly, there’s too many reasons to count, but here’s 10 to start with…
The Panama Canal keeps the country as an important and relevant spot in Central America. The Canal has become the main source of commerce by connecting the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.
It brings in guaranteed cash each year, thereby stabilizing this small economy. Panama’s economy has always been strong, and with the amount of wealth that moves through the Panama Canal, it generates nearly a third of the country’s revenue.
Means that Panama has the most stable currency in Latin America. You can come to Panama with ease of mind that there’s no currency exchange risk.
Taxing Panama-sourced income and inviting international businesses that would not otherwise operate here by allowing them to operate free of corporate tax. This means more high-quality jobs for Panamanians and increased revenues for the government through employment taxes.
Consider how many world-class banks are in Panama, including banks from the United States, Latin America, China, etc. Banks are putting their trading desks in Panama for tax reasons.
Banking in Panama is safe. Tough laws and high standards are imposed on banks. Panamanian banks tend to be very conservative and do not enter into risky lending practices.
Panama has grown to be the largest international banking center in Latin America over the last 30 years.
Panama is a country of about 4 million people, which means it is small enough to benefit from the Canal income, improvements in education and social programs, and that it can operate on the U.S. dollar.
Internet- and phone-based businesses (call centers, for example) can operate in Panama cost effectively and with confidence.
Like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, Panama is a primary link in the fiber-optic network. This is one of the reasons businesses like Dell are choosing to base themselves here.
Which translates to a higher-quality labor force.
The Panamanian government recognizes the importance of education and has implemented several programs to train more of the population.
The government makes efforts to improve English proficiency among high school and university students to better prepare them to compete in the labor force.
Keeps the best and the brightest from fleeing to the United States when they get the chance. Many go to the States for school and then return to work in Panama after they’ve completed their studies.
Panamanians do have the famous mañana attitude, and things definitely get done at a slower pace than in the States, but as the labor force gets younger this mañana attitude is slowly starting to fade.
As mentioned above, many go to the States to study and then return to Panama to work. This definitely contributes to the younger generation’s different work ethic.
Which is absent in most of South and Central America. More and more youngsters are adopting the entrepreneurial mindset. You won’t have issues developing a business in Panama and taking advantage of all the fresh and new perspectives these workers are bringing to the scene.
December through April in Panama is clear and dry. May through July, brief showers punctuate every afternoon. By August, the rain falls hard and heavy… and come October, rivers break their banks and the streets of Panama City flood daily.
Here are some top tips for navigating high rainy season in Panama…
A few years ago, Panama began requiring a test before issuing a driver’s license. Before that, you simply asked for a license and got one. No training necessary. Your fellow drivers on the road, therefore, didn’t use turn signals—presumably they didn’t know they were supposed to. They didn’t stop at Stop signs or even, often, at red lights. They turned right from the far left lane across three lanes of traffic, again without signaling. They drove on the shoulder, across the median, on the sidewalks. They ran into each other all the time.
Despite the new requirements that would-be drivers take a class and pass a test, little has changed. The difference is that there are significantly more vehicles on the road than in 2008. The country’s exploding middle class means more people can afford a car. The streets, meantime, remain as narrow, the parking as limited. Traffic jams are epic.
Panama City has made an effort in recent years to expand the areas with sidewalks. Still, much of the city lacks them. Where you find them, they’re uneven and cracked.
Manholes lack covers. Electrical wires hang low. Enormous tree roots interrupt the way. Etc.
Fortunately, Uber is cheap.
It’s cliché, but cliches become cliches for a reason.
Nobody in Panama is in a hurry to do anything… except cut you off in traffic, but we’ve already covered that.
You might find this charming… or incredibly frustrating.
This is a con and a pro. Summertime is great… but if you’re used to four seasons you might miss the variety.
The day grows dark by 6:30 p.m. all year long.
As anywhere in the developing world, the have-nots are very present across Panama. This can be hard to take day to day.
The best response is to make an effort to give back. You bring valuable experience, skills, and talents with you from your old life to your new one in Panama. Find a way to put them to good use.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
As a U.S. citizen, you can collect your Social Security payments from outside the United States, as long as you are eligible.
Boquete is a small mountain town located at 1,131 meters (3,710 feet) above sea level. It’s surrounded by lush tropical...
Nestled on the southern coast of the Azuero Peninsula, Las Tablas is a town that offers an irresistible mix of...
In the lush highlands of Western Panama lies the small town of Boquete, one of the world’s top retirement destinations. Boquete (pronounced...
Located on the Pacific coast of Panama, the beach town of Puerto Armuelles was once home to the Chiquita Banana...
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
As seen in
RETIRE OVERSEAS AND
LIVE LIKE ROYALTY
Sign up for FREE and learn how to live the good life on a modest budget, find bargain property, and more. Plus, check out our FREE report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.
Top Countries
Budgets
Affordable
Resources
Real Estate
Overseas Property Alert
How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
Buying Real Estate For Cashflow
Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans
Explore Our Latest Posts
Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…
Conferences
Live and Invest In Panama Conference
Live And Invest In Greece Workshop
Live And Invest In Portugal Conference
Contact Our Events Team:
Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
1 (888) 627 8834
From Outside North America:
1 (443) 599 1221
Working Hours
Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.
Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com
Store
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Free Report
THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025
Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Follow Us:
© 2008 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.
