Get Panamanian Citizenship the Right Way: With Full Legal Support

Start your path to legal Panama citizenship, our clients are approved in as little as a couple of days.

 

Panama offers one of the most flexible and rewarding citizenship options in the world. Whether you’re relocating for lifestyle, investment, or family reasons, securing citizenship in Panama can open doors to global freedom, low taxes, and long-term stability.

What Is Panamanian Citizenship?

Panama citizenship gives you full legal rights as a national of the Republic of Panama. This includes the ability to live, work, vote, and hold a Panama passport. There are multiple legal paths to become a citizen, including birth, descent, marriage, investment, and naturalization.

Why Become a Citizen of Panama?

The benefits of Panama citizenship go far beyond a travel document. Here’s why so many people are choosing this destination for their second passport:

  • Visa-free access to over 140 countries with a Panama passport
  • Zero tax on foreign income through Panama’s territorial tax system
  • Legal dual nationality options with many countries
  • A path to economic security in a politically stable and globally connected country
  • Access to world-class healthcare, banking, and investment opportunities

Whether you want to get citizenship through investment or family ties, the long-term benefits are powerful.

How to Get Panamanian Citizenship

There are several legal paths to becoming a Panamanian citizen. Here’s a breakdown of each option based on Panama nationality law.

1. Panama Citizenship by Birth

If you’re born in Panama, you automatically receive Panama nationality, even if your parents are foreign nationals. This is one of the simplest paths under the Panama citizenship law.

2. Panama Citizenship by Descent

If one or both of your parents were born in Panama, you can apply for Panama citizenship by descent, even if you were born abroad. This also applies to those claiming Panama citizenship by parents or grandparents in many cases.

3. Panama Citizenship by Investment

For investors, the government offers a legal path called citizenship by investment. While it’s not as fast as some other countries, you can qualify for Panama naturalization after five years of residency (or three in special cases) by investing in:

You can’t technically “buy Panama citizenship” or “buy Panama passport” directly, but investment is a valid step in the naturalization process.

4. Panama Citizenship by Marriage

If you’re married to a Panamanian citizen, you may qualify for Panama citizenship by marriage. After living together legally in Panama for at least three years, you can start the process to become a citizen.

5. Panama Citizenship by Naturalization

This is the most common route for expats. To qualify, you must:

  • Hold permanent residency in Panama
  • Reside legally for at least five years (or three if married to a Panamanian)
  • Show ties to the country (language, culture, integration)
  • Pass the Panama citizenship test (in Spanish)

Official Panama Citizenship Requirements Under National Law

To apply for citizenship, you must meet certain legal and procedural requirements:

  • Be over 18 years old
  • Hold permanent residency status
  • Live legally in Panama for the required years
  • Pass a background check (clean criminal record)
  • Demonstrate Spanish language skills
  • Pass the Panama citizenship test (history, culture, law)
  • Prove financial solvency or income stability
  • Submit original documents such as birth certificate, passport, and residency ID

How the Panama Citizenship Process Really Works

To get started, the law requires that you hire a Panamanian immigration lawyer. This is not optional, applications must be filed by a licensed attorney under Panama’s naturalization law.

Once you’ve selected your legal advisor, here’s how the full process works:

Hire a Lawyer

  • A Panamanian attorney is required to prepare and submit your application.

Become a Permanent Resident

  • You must apply for one of the approved visa types (Friendly Nations, investment, marriage, etc.).

Fulfill Residency Period

  • Stay legally in the country for 3 to 5 years depending on your category.

Gather & Translate Documents

  • All documents must be translated to Spanish and apostilled in your home country.

Take Citizenship Test

  • Take Citizenship Test

Submit Naturalization Request

  • Your lawyer will file your full citizenship application with the Tribunal Electoral.

Receive Your Panama ID and Passport

  • Upon approval, you will get your Panama ID and Republic of Panama passport.

Trusted Panama Immigration Lawyers With Proven Results

Meet the lawyers who will guide your journey, experts in Panamanian immigration law, fluent in English, and dedicated to helping remote professionals like you make a successful move to Panama. You’re not just hiring a service, you’re gaining trusted legal allies.

A. Branly

Founder

I am a self-motivated and self-taught professional who likes to solve problems.

A. Branly

Founder

I am a self-motivated and self-taught professional who likes to solve problems.

A. Branly

Founder

I am a self-motivated and self-taught professional who likes to solve problems.

Is Panamanian Citizenship the Right Fit for You?

If you’re looking for a second passport, low taxes, and a safe place to live or invest, getting citizenship in Panama may be the smartest move for your future.However, if you’re not sure about this visa, you should see what other applicants are saying. Reading real experiences from clients can help you decide if this is the right path for your goals.

Dual Citizenship in Panama: What You Should Know

Panama generally allows dual citizenship in practice, though it doesn’t officially recognize it under all circumstances. The key is not to renounce your previous nationality unless required. Many Americans and Europeans keep both passports without issue.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Hear from those who have experienced our exceptional services.

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James H.,
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41, United States
From the first consultation to receiving my Panama ID, Agroup’s team was with me every step. Their legal support was clear, professional, and efficient. I never felt lost in the process — everything was explained and handled smoothly.
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Lucía G.,
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36, Spain
After marrying my Panamanian partner, I wasn’t sure where to start with the residency and citizenship process. Agroup Consulting made everything simple. Their lawyers are reliable, fast, and genuinely care about their clients.
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Carlos M.,
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32, Colombia
I went through the citizenship process based on my Panamanian father’s nationality. Agroup prepared all my documents, managed translations, and filed everything flawlessly. I now have my Panamanian passport — thanks to them!
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Anna T.,
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45, Germany
Becoming a Panamanian citizen through naturalization seemed overwhelming, but Agroup’s legal team took the weight off my shoulders. They handled the full process with transparency and got my application approved much faster than I expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I keep my current citizenship if I become Panamanian?

Yes. While Panama doesn’t officially promote dual nationality, it allows it in practice. Many people keep their original passport and also hold a Panama second passport.

You must legally reside in Panama for five years (or three if married to a Panamanian) before applying. The naturalization approval process typically takes 12–24 months after submission.

There’s no direct way to buy Panama citizenship. However, investment residency options can lead to citizenship over time if you fulfill the required conditions and live in Panama legally.

While Panama’s law technically requires renouncing your prior nationality during naturalization, in practice, many applicants retain dual citizenship. Panama does not enforce the renunciation unless it’s also confirmed by the applicant’s original country — making dual citizenship widely accepted in real-world cases.

Panama is among the most accessible countries for citizenship through legal residency, thanks to its Friendly Nations Visa and low physical presence requirements. Other relatively easy options include Argentina, Mexico, and Paraguay — but Panama stands out for its fast processing, tax benefits, and global access.

To get permanent residency in Panama, you must apply under a qualifying visa such as the Friendly Nations Visa. This typically requires citizenship from an eligible country, a local economic connection (like property ownership, a business, or employment), a clean police record, and a local bank deposit.

Start Your Path to Panamanian Citizenship Today

Panama offers low taxes, global mobility, and a high-quality lifestyle, but the legal process can be complex. At Agroup Consulting, we handle everything from residency to passport, so you don’t have to.