Panama Residence for Italians: Treaty Route

What the Italy and Panama treaty gives you

The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, signed in Panama on 7 October 1965, approved in Panama by Law 15 of 1966 and ratified in Italy by Law 308 of 1968, lets Italians enter, remain and establish themselves in Panama. The Servicio Nacional de Migración applies it through Resolution 4803 of 30 March 2012.

Permanent residence reserved for Italian nationals, indefinite from the date of grant, with no provisional stage and no renewal.
No minimum investment: you show an economic or professional purpose instead of a capital commitment.
No repatriation deposit: Italians are exempt from the deposit other foreigners post.
National treatment for economic and professional activities of any kind, except retail trade.
Apply from Italy at a Panamanian consulate or embassy consular section, or with the immigration service in Panama.

Requirements at a glance

Requirement	What you provide
Nationality	Italian passport, certificate of citizenship or seaman's book stating Italian citizenship
Economic or professional purpose	Fully paid-up registered company shares, or an employment contract endorsed by the Ministry of Labour at a salary of at least B/. 850 a month, with the company's Public Registry certificate
Economic solvency	A bank certificate or last month's statement with a balance of "por lo menos cuatro cifras medias" (a mid four-figure sum; no exact amount is stated), or other accepted proof of income
Government fee	Certified cheque of B/. 250 to the National Treasury; no repatriation deposit
Standard documents	Notarised power of attorney and application, three photographs, certified passport copy, criminal-record and health certificates, sworn declaration of personal background
Family	Spouse and dependants with a notarised letter of responsibility, proof of relationship and address; dependants over 18 add single status and proof of studies

Where to apply

Resolution 4803 lets Italians file at Panama's consulates or embassy consular sections in their country of origin or residence, or at the Servicio Nacional de Migración in Panama City through a Panamanian lawyer. Panama's missions in Italy are the embassy and consular section in Rome, the consulates general in Genoa, Naples and Venice (Mestre), and honorary consulates in Milan, Turin and Civitavecchia. Confirm the services of the office before you go.

Other routes for Italians

Qualified Investor: permanent residency on first approval from USD 300,000 in new property, under Executive Decree 17 of 2026. See the Panama Qualified Investor programme.
Pensionado: permanent residence with a lifetime pension of at least B/. 1,000 a month, or B/. 750 with Panamanian property bought for more than B/. 100,000.
Friendly Nations: not open to Italians; Italy is not among the 51 listed countries. See Panama's fast tracks by nationality.

Citizenship and Italian rules to know

Citizenship: after five consecutive years of residence (Constitution, article 10), with Spanish and civics and a declaration renouncing the nationality of origin. Italian law keeps Italian citizenship when another is acquired (Law 91 of 1992, article 11); confirm with counsel how Panama's declaration applies to you.

Italian side: Italians who move abroad for more than twelve months enrol in AIRE within 90 days. Panama is on Italy's list of 4 May 1999, so under article 2, paragraph 2-bis of the TUIR, Italian citizens who deregister in Italy and move to Panama are considered Italian tax resident unless they prove otherwise. The Italy and Panama tax treaty, in force since 1 June 2017, taxes private pensions only in the country of residence. Our full guide to Panama for Italians explains each rule with its source; take advice from an Italian tax adviser before you move.

Sources: SNM Resolution 4803 of 2012; SNM requirement sheet PRP-CPI; SNM pensionado sheet; Ministerial Decree of 4 May 1999; Italy and Panama tax convention. Read 26 September 2026.

Prefer to invest?

Panama Qualified Investor visa

If you want a property or securities investment in Panama anyway, the Qualified Investor route grants permanent residency on first approval from USD 300,000 in new property. We advise on both routes and tell you which fits.

Explore the Qualified Investor route Read the full guide for Italians

Questions

Panama for Italians: FAQ

Can Italians get permanent residence in Panama without investing?

Yes. Under the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation and Resolution 4803 of 2012, Italian nationals can obtain a permanent residence permit, indefinite from grant, with no minimum investment, by showing an economic or professional purpose and economic solvency.

Can I apply from Italy?

Yes. Resolution 4803 allows the application at Panama's consulates or embassy consular sections in the country of origin or residence, or at the Servicio Nacional de Migración in Panama.

How much does the treaty permit cost?

The government fee is a certified cheque of B/. 250 to the National Treasury, and Italians pay no repatriation deposit. Professional and legal fees are additional.

Is the permit really permanent?

Yes. The permit is indefinite from the date of grant and needs no renewal, according to the Servicio Nacional de Migración requirement sheet.

Can I become a Panamanian citizen, and keep my Italian citizenship?

After five consecutive years of residence you can apply for naturalisation. Italian law keeps Italian citizenship when another is acquired (Law 91 of 1992, article 11); confirm with counsel how Panama's renunciation declaration applies to you.

What should I know about Italian tax rules?

Panama is on Italy's list of 4 May 1999, so Italian citizens who deregister in Italy and move to Panama are considered Italian tax resident unless they prove otherwise. Enrol in AIRE within 90 days and take advice from an Italian tax adviser.

Panama Permanent Residence for Italians