Move to Panama
2 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
Panama at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
0 years
to permanent residency
5 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires basic Spanish and 5 years of permanent residency. Dual citizenship allowed.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependents receive residence under Pensionado but need a separate work permit to be employed locally. Spouse supplement: +$250/mo pension requirement.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Panama
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Boquete
63/100Panama City
57/100Compare cities in Panama
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,059
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 2 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$41,369
GDP per capita
8.4%
Unemployment
0.7%
Inflation
High inequality — gated communities exist for a reason.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
6.84/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
Is Panama safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Do your research. Seriously.
Safest tracked city: Boquete (12.5 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Spanish
Primary language
Low
English proficiency (#70 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Spanish isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Panama — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Panama?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Boquete ranks #1 in Panama with a score of 63/100. City-centre rent starts around $725/month.
How much does it cost to live in Panama?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $725 to $1059/month across our 2 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,960.
How do I get permanent residency in Panama?▾
The path to permanent residency in Panama typically takes 0 years. Citizenship is possible after 5 years. Note: Requires basic Spanish and 5 years of permanent residency. Dual citizenship allowed.
Is Panama a democracy?▾
Panama scores 6.84/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy."
Is Panama safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Panama is 12.5 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.