You need a residence in another country? Then a move to Panama is ideal, bridge between Central and South America, buffer between two oceans, crossed in the middle by the Panama Canal.
The country borders Costa Rica and Colombia, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and is about the size of Austria. It has a tropical climate with high rainfall and year-round high temperatures. Panama is magically beautiful.
Move to Panama
Are you wondering how to manage your move to Panama, where to find professional and reliable help? There is an immense amount to consider, research, arrange and book, pack, transport and ship. In the new home country everything is the other way round. You will find all this help with us. Contact us and we will be happy to advise you. We will take care of all the big and small details, take the pressure off you and make sure that nothing is forgotten and everything goes well.
When you have found a suitable moving company, you should specify as precisely as possible what all has to be taken with you. The more accurately it can be calculated how much your move will cost.
Otherwise, you need to “only” deregister everywhere, such as the residents’ registration office, clubs and the like.
In order to make a good start, you should familiarize yourself with Panama’s customs regulations. You can find what is needed on the internet or ask us.
Visa and residence permit
You need a valid passport. After 180 days in the country you need a visa. Also, each child must carry their own identification document.
If you want to live in Panama, you have to open a bank account on the spot with at least 5.000 US $ deposit (approx. 4.600 CHF). One can also meet one of the following conditions:
- One can purchase real estate or open a business and must employ at least three Panamanians to do so or otherwise find work.
- If one wants to immigrate as an investor, this is possible with a sum starting from 40,000 US-$ (approx. 36,800 CHF).
- From a pensioner 1.000 US-$ equity is required, from each further, e.g. spouse, 250 US-$ (920 CHF and 230 CHF). Official currencies are the US-$ and the Panamanian Balboa.
The country is a tax haven and guards banking secrecy.
In addition to the general types of schools, there are private schools that teach in German or you can have your children officially educated from home.
General information about Panama
Once you have made the trip and your personal belongings such as furniture and such have arrived, everything is unpacked and stowed away, you can relax and begin to get to know and enjoy the country and its people.
The official language is Spanish, but with English you can communicate everywhere.
The population is very mixed, very friendly and predominantly Catholic.
The sights and the culinary diversity
The capital has about 4.315 million inhabitants. It is characterized by colonial buildings in the old town and has modern parts with high-rise buildings, casinos and nightclubs.
Panama has much to offer that is worth visiting. First of all, the famous canal, created by a masterpiece of engineering. It is an important shipping route between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The lock system is very interesting and there is the associated canal museum in the capital.
There you can also find other museums such as the Afro-Antillean Museum, Biomuseo, Bolivar Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of History, Natural Sciences Museum.
Furthermore, there are museums of religious art, anthropology, art, history and culture.
At the mouth of the Chagres River, about 13 km west of Colon, are the ruins of Fort San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, and an abandoned village. This was once the most important Atlantic port far and wide.
Worth seeing is the sleepy fishing village of Santa Catalina on the Pacific Ocean, which also has one of the most popular beaches in the country. It is a paradise for surfers and divers.
Panama has varied landscapes, on both seas many islands, partly rugged, very often with beautiful white sandy beaches, diverse flora and fauna, rainforest, mountains, rivers and lakes. The volcano Baru is 3475 meters high. The mountain range connects the Rocky Mountains in the north and the Andes in the south. Panama also has many national parks that reflect the diversity of nature. There is something for everyone to awaken the spirit of adventure.
Also the culinary delights do not come too short in this country. There is often a hearty breakfast in the morning. The meals are varied with everything the heart desires. The restaurants offer both local and international cuisine and you can also buy “western” food such as burgers and the like.
Culinary recommendations include:
– Arroz con Guandu y Pollo, chicken with rice and beans.
– Pargo Frito, fried snapper fish with fries
– Ropa Vieja, beef stew, numerous spices, rice in coconut milk.
There is much more, with delicious side dishes like chips made from mashed plantains.
Let us surprise you.
Were we able to help you? Inspire you? You will surely fall in love with your new home.
We wish you much joy and success for your move to Panama!