Is Panama’s Golden Visa Getting More Expensive in 2026?

Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa allows international investors to obtain permanent residency through qualifying investments, including real estate.

Recent articles have claimed that the minimum property investment will rise from US$300,000 to US$500,000 in October 2026. However, that increase does not appear in the legislation currently in force.

Is Panama’s Golden Visa Getting More Expensive in 2026?

No, the program is not currently becoming more expensive in 2026.

Under the rules currently in force, the minimum qualifying real estate investment remains US$300,000 and there is no automatic increase to US$500,000 scheduled for October 2026.

However, the Panamanian government could amend the program in future, so an increase of this kind, as seen with the Greece Golden Visa in 2022 and 2024, is possible. Investors should confirm the latest rules before committing any funds.

Executive Decree 193 of 2024 establishes a new baseline minimum investment of B/.300,000. The decree does not describe this amount as temporary or include an automatic 2026 increase.

Why is a US$500,000 Increase Being Reported?

There has been widespread confusion online about this supposed increase in the investment threshold, although the confusion has a clear basis in the program’s earlier rules.

Under the original rules of the program, US$500,000 was the baseline real estate threshold but a later temporary arrangement reduced it to US$300,000. However, this reduction was explicitly time-limited, with a 48-month duration that would have expired in October 2025, returning the threshold to the original US$500,000.

But this changed in 2024, when Executive Decree 193 rewrote the program’s rules.

The revised wording established US$300,000 as the new baseline investment threshold without including the former temporary expiry language.

Some online sources appear to rely on earlier rules or interpretations that predate the 2024 amendment.

Based on the current wording of the law, the US$300,000 threshold remains in effect unless Panama introduces a further legal change.

Please Note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Requirements should be confirmed with qualified Panamanian advisers before investment.

What Is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?

The Panama Golden Visa is the common commercial name used to refer to the Qualified Investor Visa program.

Launched by the government of Panama in 2020, it grants permanent residency to applicants who make qualifying investments. The investment routes include real estate, securities and a fixed-term bank deposit, though the real estate investment option has the lowest investment threshold and is often seen as the strongest option.

The qualifying investment generally must be maintained for five years. Eligible family members may also be included. After five years of residence, permit holders can apply for naturalization to become Panamanian citizens.

The absence of a scheduled price increase matters because the real estate option remains the program’s lowest-cost qualifying route.

Why the Program Remains Attractive in 2026

With no scheduled increase in the investment threshold for real estate investment, the Panama Qualified Investor Visa remains one of the most appealing residency-by-investment programs available in 2026. Here are some of the most important reasons why.

Permanent residency rather than a temporary permit

One of the program’s biggest attractions is the direct route to permanent residency. Rather than offering a temporary residence permit that might or might not be renewable indefinitely, Panama’s program offers investors legal residence for as long as they maintain their investment.

A comparatively accessible real estate threshold

The US$300,000 price point gives the Panama Qualified Investor Visa a strong standing compared to other popular real estate residence-by-investment programs on a cost basis:

• Greece: €250,000 (approx. US$285,000)
  
  
• Panama: B/.300,000 (US$300,000)
  
  
• UAE: AED 2,000,000 (approx. US$545,000)
  
  
• Portugal: €500,000 (approx. US$570,000)

For investors already considering international property, the threshold remains relatively accessible for a program granting permanent residence.

Limited relocation pressure

With a minimal physical presence requiring only a visit every two years, this route can suit investors seeking a second residence or contingency plan without an immediate full-time move.

Family inclusion

The Qualified Investor Visa offers comprehensive family inclusion, with applicants able to include their spouse, financially dependent unmarried children and parents under the same application.

A US-dollar-based investment environment

For investors who value a familiar currency and want to avoid exposure to a volatile local currency, the fact that the balboa is pegged at parity with the US dollar, which also circulates widely in Panama, offers reassurance and stability.

Panama is also one of the world’s most important centers for international shipping and commerce due to the presence of the Panama Canal, making it an excellent base for anybody with international and US-based business interests.

Tax benefits

Panama offers 0% taxation on foreign-sourced income, global income, and inheritance and estate tax, providing an advantageous tax environment for international investors.

Pathway to citizenship

While the Qualified Investor Visa does not directly lead to a passport, residents who have lived in Panama for five years can apply to become citizens.

Panama’s passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 139 countries around the world,

Taken together, these features keep the Qualified Investor Visa attractive in 2026, particularly for investors seeking both a tangible asset and permanent residency.

Why Real Estate Is the Program’s Standout Route

While other investment options are available, real estate is likely to be the most relevant route for many international investors because:

• It has the lowest qualifying threshold;
  
  
• The investor acquires an asset;
  
  
• The property may generate income;
  
  
• It can potentially be used personally;
  
  
• It may support longer-term capital preservation or growth.

The 2024 decree sets the qualifying real estate amount at B/.300,000 (equivalent to US$300,000) and allows financing above the required unencumbered amount.

It also recognizes qualifying promise-to-purchase structures under stated conditions. There is no specified restriction on the type of real estate that investors must purchase.

The Property Still Has to Make Sense

Investors should still be cautious and careful when considering a real estate investment, taking into account:

• Location;
  
  
• Demand;
• Service charges;
  
  
• Management costs;
  
  
• Developer history;
  
  
• Construction status;
  
  
• Resale prospects;

The strongest applications begin with a property that works as an investment in its own right, with residency as an additional strategic benefit.

Is the Panama Golden Visa Right for You?

While the Panama Qualified Investor Visa still represents an attractive proposition in 2026, that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for every investor.

It may be attractive for investors who want:

• Permanent residency;
  
  
• A second residence or backup plan;
  
  
• Dollar-based economy;
  
  
• Potential rental income;
  
  
• Exposure to Panama as a market;
  
  
• A route that includes eligible family members.

It may require closer consideration if:

• The investor wants guaranteed returns;
  
  
• The investor expects automatic citizenship;
  
  
• The investor has not considered tax consequences;
  
  
• The investor wants to resell quickly.

For investors whose goals combine property ownership, international diversification and permanent residency, the program remains a compelling option.

How Investment Visa Can Help

Investment Visa helps international investors identify suitable qualifying property and coordinate the legal, investment and immigration stages of the Panama Qualified Investor Visa.

Our team can help you assess whether the program fits your objectives and move forward with a properly structured application.

Investment Visa can help with:

• Understanding current program requirements;
  
  
• Comparing qualifying real estate;
  
  
• Assessing whether a property fits the investor’s objectives;
  
  
• Coordinating independent legal due diligence;
  
  
• Reviewing transaction and ownership structures;
  
  
• Preparing source-of-funds evidence;
  
  
• Managing the residency application;
  
  
• Supporting eligible family applications;
  
  
• Coordinating the process from property selection to residency.

The US$300,000 Route Remains Open

Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa is not currently scheduled to become more expensive in 2026.

The legislation in force retains the US$300,000 real estate threshold and does not contain an automatic rise to US$500,000.

That keeps the program attractive for investors seeking permanent residency through an income-producing or personally useful asset.

Future changes remain possible, but under the present rules, Panama continues to offer one of the more accessible property-linked permanent residence routes available to international investors.

If you’d like to know more about Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa or other residency-by-investment opportunities in the Americas and globally, get in touch with our team of expert advisors today to book a private consultation.