Panama Real Estate Information FAQ'S

Kinds of visas: If you can prove a minimum of $600.00 in monthly income, you get a Retirement (pensionado) visa regardless of your age. If you want to start a business, you can get an investors visa. This usually requires a $200,000 temporary deposit in Panama to show you have the funds to begin a business.

There are lots of excellent lawyers as well as relocation services that can recommend a lawyer.

How can I ship my car and household goods?
Ship from any shipping company in the USA-Panama is a close and convenient port. Most people can put all their household goods in one 40 foot container. This can be loaded right in front of your house in the States and brought to the front of your house in Panama.

There are no import taxes on importation of your household goods. ( There is some rule that there is no tax on up to $10,000.00 worth of household goods but no one is going to be able to say exactly how much all your used household goods are worth, so not to worry.) For your car, it can be put in your container or shipped separately. Whether you are a Retiree or not, taxes will apply for your car.

What about buying furniture and appliances in Panama?
No problem. Prices are comparable to US prices, but don’t expect sales. At Furniture City in Panama and David you can order from extensive US furniture catalogs if you don’t find what you like on the floor. There are also a number of upscale furniture stores in Panama City. Banyan Leaf in Panama City has a magnificent selection of both Oriental and Western furniture and accessories.

For appliances, Raenco and Do-It Center in Panama City are excellent. Price Costco in Panama City and David also has some good deals, but a limited selection.

Is there anything like a Home Depot?
Do-it Center and Novey Center come the closest-you will find the basics for your do-it-yourself needs.

Grocery Stores: We have been all over Latin American and do hereby declare that Panama has the best American-style supermarkets anywhere. El Rey and Riba Smith are very complete and large supermarkets with well trained personnel. Riba Smith which has only 3 stores, all in Panama City, is popular with Americans because it has the most American goods and a housebrand of prepared foods that are delicious- don’t miss the chicken pot pie,lasagna and their ice cream. El Rey has a store in almost every neighborhood and also in Coronado and David. Spotless, well-organized, and with friendly personnel- So enjoy.

How can I safely send and receive mail in Panama?
The Panamanian mail system is not reliable- we don’t recommend it for anything. Fortunately there are two excellent companies dedicated receiving and sending your mail as well as bringing stuff you have ordered over the internet etc: Air Box Express and Mail Boxes Etc. Airbox Express delivers your mail and packages directly to your home. Mail Boxes receives them at the offices where you can go pick them up. They give you your own PO Box address in Miami. They bring your mail from Miami for a starting fee of about $25 a month. These mail services are invaluable for life in Panama. For more info see Air Box Express.

Can I get a job in Panama?
The best way at this time to work in Panama is to set up your own business. At this time, to get a job at a Panamanian business is very difficult because of laws limiting foreign employees. There are even specific laws forbidding for example foreign lawyers, doctors, translators, university professors etc. to work here. These laws will most probably be modified in the short term as Panama’s booming economy needs more skilled persons, but for now it is the reality.