Can Singapore citizens get residency in Panama by buying property?

Yes. Qualified Investor permanent residence: new (first-sale) real estate: from US$300,000 (about $300k). New, unoccupied property bought from the developer (first sale) for $300,000+, held 5 years. Recognised value is the lower of price paid and market value, less liens; financing above the minimum allowed Qualified Investor permanent residence: resale (secondary-market) real estate: from US$500,000 (about $500k). Property previously sold, occupied, leased or transferred to a third party, for $500,000+, held 5 years Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos): from US$200,000 (about $200k). Real estate of $200,000+ (bank financing allowed), or a $200,000 fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian bank held 3 years, or a job offer with a Panamanian company (work permit)

Is the Panama golden visa still available?

Qualified Investor permanent residence: $300,000 any property (Decree 722 of 2020, superseded) is closed (closed (2026-09-16) to new investments; transitional filings allowed until 16 Mar 2027 only for investments or binding contracts made before 16 Sep 2026). Open today: Qualified Investor permanent residence: new (first-sale) real estate; Qualified Investor permanent residence: resale (secondary-market) real estate; Qualified Investor permanent residence: fixed-term bank deposit; Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos).

How long does it take?

Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos): No official timeline; about 1-2 months in practice. The permit runs 2 years, converts to permanent after the 2-year temporary residence.

Does it lead to citizenship?

Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 2.

The Residency Index2027 edition

Panama residency for Singapore citizens.

From: $200k
Permit in: 1 mo
Passport in: 7 yrs
Index score: 84

Singaporean passport You can already stay 90 days without a visa; residency is for staying longer, banking and owning.

For Singapore citizens

What is different for Singapore citizens.

Foreign-sourced income received in Singapore by individuals is generally not taxable, unless received through a Singapore partnership.
IRAS, Income received from overseas
Singaporean citizenship is lost automatically if another citizenship is acquired voluntarily.
Wikipedia, Multiple citizenship
Singaporean citizens can buy residential or lifestyle land in New Zealand without Overseas Investment Office consent, under free trade agreement provisions.
Land Information New Zealand, Buying residential property to live in

4 open routes

The routes to living in Panama.

Qualified Investor permanent residence: new (first-sale) real estate

Changed83

changed 16 Sep 2026: Executive Decree 17 of 8 Sep 2026 keeps the $300,000 minimum for first-sale property, with no end date

Minimum: US$300,000
What counts: New, unoccupied property bought from the developer (first sale) for $300,000+, held 5 years. Recognised value is the lower of price paid and market value, less liens; financing above the minimum allowed
Processing: Set by Executive Decree 17: investment certificate from the Ministry of Commerce (MICI) within 15 business days, then the immigration decision within 30 business days of a complete file
Permit: Not published
Time you must spend there: No minimum stay; visit Panama at least once every two years to keep permanent residence
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 5 years; the permit is permanent residence from the start.
Family: dependants included
Tax: Territorial: only income produced in Panama is taxed (Fiscal Code art. 694); foreign-source income is not taxed

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Qualified Investor permanent residence: resale (secondary-market) real estate

Changed80

changed 16 Sep 2026: Executive Decree 17 sets a separate $500,000 minimum for resale property

Minimum: US$500,000
What counts: Property previously sold, occupied, leased or transferred to a third party, for $500,000+, held 5 years
Processing: Set by Executive Decree 17: investment certificate from the Ministry of Commerce (MICI) within 15 business days, then the immigration decision within 30 business days of a complete file
Permit: Not published
Time you must spend there: No minimum stay; visit Panama at least once every two years to keep permanent residence
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 5 years; the permit is permanent residence from the start.
Family: dependants included
Tax: Territorial: only income produced in Panama is taxed (Fiscal Code art. 694); foreign-source income is not taxed

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Qualified Investor permanent residence: fixed-term bank deposit

Changed70

changed 16 Sep 2026: Executive Decree 17 added a $500,000 option at the state banks; private-bank deposits stay at $750,000

Minimum: US$500,000
What counts: Fixed-term deposit of $500,000+ at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros (state banks), or $750,000+ at a private bank with a general licence; held 5 consecutive years, unpledged
Processing: Set by Executive Decree 17: investment certificate from the Ministry of Commerce (MICI) within 15 business days, then the immigration decision within 30 business days of a complete file
Permit: Not published
Time you must spend there: No minimum stay; visit Panama at least once every two years to keep permanent residence
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 5 years; the permit is permanent residence from the start.
Family: dependants included
Tax: Territorial: only income produced in Panama is taxed (Fiscal Code art. 694); foreign-source income is not taxed

Official source · checked 2026-10-20

Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos)

Open84

Minimum: US$200,000
What counts: Real estate of $200,000+ (bank financing allowed), or a $200,000 fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian bank held 3 years, or a job offer with a Panamanian company (work permit)
Processing: No official timeline; about 1-2 months in practice
Permit: 2 years, converts to permanent after the 2-year temporary residence
Time you must spend there: no minimum annual stay; residence can lapse after 2 years abroad
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 2.
Family: spouse, dependent children
Tax: Territorial: only income produced in Panama is taxed (Fiscal Code art. 694); foreign-source income is not taxed

Official source · checked 2026-10-20

Qualified Investor permanent residence: $300,000 any property (Decree 722 of 2020, superseded)

Closed

closed (2026-09-16) to new investments; transitional filings allowed until 16 Mar 2027 only for investments or binding contracts made before 16 Sep 2026

Minimum: US$300,000
What counts: Any property $300k+ under Decree 722/2020 as amended; was due to revert to $500k
Processing: Not published
Permit: Not published
Time you must spend there: No rule published
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 5 years; the permit is permanent residence from the start.
Family: dependants included
Tax: Territorial: only income produced in Panama is taxed (Fiscal Code art. 694); foreign-source income is not taxed

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Residency rules, thresholds and fees change often, sometimes without notice. Everything here is general information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm with the official source and a licensed adviser before you act. Continental sells property; we don’t arrange visas or residency.

Short answers

What people ask.

Can Singapore citizens get residency in Panama by buying property?: Yes. Qualified Investor permanent residence: new (first-sale) real estate: from US$300,000 (about $300k). New, unoccupied property bought from the developer (first sale) for $300,000+, held 5 years. Recognised value is the lower of price paid and market value, less liens; financing above the minimum allowed Qualified Investor permanent residence: resale (secondary-market) real estate: from US$500,000 (about $500k). Property previously sold, occupied, leased or transferred to a third party, for $500,000+, held 5 years Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos): from US$200,000 (about $200k). Real estate of $200,000+ (bank financing allowed), or a $200,000 fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian bank held 3 years, or a job offer with a Panamanian company (work permit)
Is the Panama golden visa still available?: Qualified Investor permanent residence: $300,000 any property (Decree 722 of 2020, superseded) is closed (closed (2026-09-16) to new investments; transitional filings allowed until 16 Mar 2027 only for investments or binding contracts made before 16 Sep 2026). Open today: Qualified Investor permanent residence: new (first-sale) real estate; Qualified Investor permanent residence: resale (secondary-market) real estate; Qualified Investor permanent residence: fixed-term bank deposit; Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos).
How long does it take?: Friendly Nations residence (Países Amigos): No official timeline; about 1-2 months in practice. The permit runs 2 years, converts to permanent after the 2-year temporary residence.
Does it lead to citizenship?: Citizenship possible after about 7 years, permanent residence after 2.

Read it for your passport

Panama residency, passport by passport.

Visa-free stays: Wikipedia, Visa policy of Panama, read 20 October 2026. Indian and Chinese nationals with a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit from the US, Canada, the UK, Schengen or Australia may enter for up to 30 days. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Where we can help

Our markets, where a home can count.

We don’t sell homes in Panama. These are the countries where we do, and where buying one can count towards residency.

The homes: Homes in Thailand · Homes in Malaysia · Homes in the United Arab Emirates · Homes in Saudi Arabia · Homes in Oman · Homes in Spain.