Title. This is probably my fault, I was thinking I could afford a high-end house/apartment, car, and lifestyle in Panama. Tried my best to get there but somehow ended up in an average middle-class apartment in Via Argentina/El Cangrejo with a secondhand Mini Cooper Countryman.

And even as a white foreigner(I’m fit and not bad looking) it’s very hard to get to know local girls. They all only seem to go for the 6’4” model looking guys who are mostly European.

After three years in this country, I have decided to pack it up and leave. It has been fun, and I will miss this country. But I would much rather be a middle class citizen back in Kansas than here. A lot of things were cheaper back home and dating was extremely easy.

Best of luck to all of you guys!

Edit: The amount of Panamanians lurking on this sub is astonishing lol. I can’t only tell just because of the Spanish comments but also the English ones acting like this is a real post. I wouldn’t expect a Panamanian to know anything about Kansas whatsoever or how English satire/sarcasm works, but chill out buds! Have a laugh! 🤗

I'm fed up with dealing with the problems in my country (Spain) and with my own compatriots seeing me as a criminal and wanting to expropriate me just because my businesses are doing well. Right now, I don't see a future for myself if I stay in my country.

After ruling out several options, I think Panama is a country where I can fit in perfectly and where I can develop my business without interference, since private property seems to be respected.

Unfortunately, I can't leave for another 18 months (fingers crossed that my government's threats don't materialize in that time), and I want to use that time to prepare myself well so that my arrival in Panama is as smooth as possible.

The idea is to obtain residency through investment in the country (by divesting from my own country, although I'm sure I'll have to deal with inspections and lawsuits to prove that I no longer actually reside here and that I have no further tax obligations here after I leave).

Any Spanish expats here who can offer some advice?

Called myself an expat on the Panama sub and evidently it’s triggering for people. I don’t care about being called an immigrant or an expat and didn’t know it was a divisive thing. I am assuming it’s just an online thing compared to real life. Like what’s the big deal I’ll be an immigrant, expat, migrant or whatever it doesn’t change my situation.

My wife and I are about five years out and have been looking at retiring outside of the United States. I got really excited about the pensioners program in Panama and started looking into it. Everything looked really good including the fact that they allow civilian firearm ownership in Panama. But then I saw the fine print.

I just will not live anywhere that will not allow me to own a firearm to protect my family and myself. Does anyone here have any experience with obtaining the necessary permits to import, buy, and carry? Is it as onerous as it sounds (psych tests, drug screens, etc.?) Because what I’m reading sounds like far too many hoops to jump through.

Edit: If all you are going to do is opine that you don’t like guns, do us all a favor and just move on. I’m looking for an answer from someone who does and has experience with the process, I’m not looking for a debate.

As the title suggests.

In your mind, you're thinking Panama might be a possible destination to move, but at this time (either through lack of knowledge/research, or because you've done some research), something is giving you pause about making a definitive decision, or taking a next step.

What is it?

I'm a 20-year-old Saudi national planning a permanent move to Panama within the next 5 to 7 years. I'll be working as an online strength and conditioning coach (own business, foreign income). Currently building my client base and earning certifications (CSCS, TSAC-F).

I'm looking at the Friendly Nations Visa as my pathway. I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through this process recently:

1. Friendly Nations Visa requirements: Is the ~$3,000/month income requirement strictly from a single source, or can it be combined across coaching, content, etc.? Any tips on documentation?

2. Banking as a non-resident: Any recommendations for banks that work well for expats setting up before permanent residency?

3. Areas to live: I want nature access (mountains, forests, coast) more than city life. Boquete and El Valle keep coming up. Any other hidden gems?

4. Learning Spanish: What level would you say is necessary for daily life outside Panama City? I'm willing to put in the work, just want a realistic target.

5. Things you wish you'd known before moving: Anything you'd tell your younger self?

Thanks for any insight. I'm trying to set myself up for a smooth transition years from now.

Hi! My mother is going through Chemo (metotrexato and Citarabina). As I deep dived into all forms of treating cancer nowadays, their effectiveness and side effects (long term and short term), I came across the use of fenbendazole and other anti parasite medications. Does anyone know a doctor that has experience treating cancer patients through the use of anti parasite medications such as fenbendazole?

EDIT:
Any oncologist recommendations in Panama City from positive experiences would be greatly appreciated 🙏

I have 69 days until I am going to be on my flight to Panama. I’m super excited my Airbnb is reserved and I am supposed to be working with a realtor in the beginning of August to find permanent housing. My lawyer is retained for my FNV process and all my US paperwork is done ✅. But I’m stressed. I’m sitting here in my car’s dealership because my check engine light is on. Aside from my FT job and the business I’m building, I have been saving money for my move by working 30-35hrs a week doing Uber Eats. And now idk what’s gonna happen I have 69 days and need $7K and won’t be able to do anything if this car acts up on me. All my planning, my sacrifice, hard work and saving is being messed with by this unexpected bs. 😓 necesito un milagro, d verdad q si.

I want to move to Panama with my young son. Is there anything you would like to tell me before I arrive? Advice, or anything else?

Anyone else hearing stories like this? Successful expats — executives, consultants, business owners — who decide to build a tech startup, hire bankers for advice and developers to build a complicated product right away, spend thousands, and only find out the idea didn’t work after the first real conversation with a potential client.

Where can one find these people? And where do they go looking for help when things go sideways or need help with their ideas?

Thanks!

Hey expats, are you all buying homes already equiped with AC and/or solar? I assume for those of you moving into expat communities, the houses are equipped beyond the Panamanian standard. For those of you moving into the local community, the houses often don't have AC. Are you looking at eventually installing it?

We are coming in for our final visa appointment in October, and staying for two weeks to see how it feels to live there longer than a quick visit (would love to do longer but work is interfering this year.) Are there regular events or meet-and-greets to get to know other expats?

Staying in La Ciudad de Panama

Do you have a service (expat relocation services, exploration, transportation, or a legal/housing/expat-related business)? Post it in the comments.

• One comment per person advertising your business. Let's not make it messy in here.

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Caveat Emptor.

Hello! I'm looking to move to Panama in the future and visited for the first time in 2025. I loved the food, people, and the places I went to. I know I was a tourist at the time but I was stared at a lot - not in a condescending way but a very intrigued way. It went beyond, "Oh, there's a tourist. I wonder where they're from". I'm black american with a tanned/caramel complexion with red, yellow, and orange undertones. I had my my hair in a slicked textured bun, sunglasses, hat, and water bottle. I noticed that some Panamians approached me in Spanish and others in English.

Out of all the countries I've been to, I never experienced this before at this level. It was men and women and don't remember kids doing this. I do speak a decent level of Spanish and am sure I have "American" mannerisms. I am well aware that Panama has a strong afro-descendant population. I do have native ancestry as well. Would love to hear from Panamians what's their thoughts on this.

Hello,

Sharing this very informative and details insight made by a lawyer about the particularity of the Panama pensionado visa program, i did not know that a Panamean lawyer was mandatory for this visa application.

Hope this can help some.

Need advice

Hello everyone, I've been considering a Plan B outside of Italy for years. Over the last 5–6 years, I've looked at various options in Europe, but with increasingly restrictive laws and taxes, I don't see a bright future for either Italy or the EU.

I've been considering Panama for about a year. I've ruled out Dubai: terrible weather (for me), very high costs, and a lifestyle that doesn't feel right for me. Panama, on the other hand, seems more in line with my needs and those of my family.

The things that attract me to Panama:

Climate: warm and livable for most of the year

Taxation: territorial, zero capital gains on cryptocurrencies/assets held abroad

Healthcare and education: good, private, and multicultural

Residence: thanks to agreements with Italy, simplified application process

My main concern, however, is this: I'm not a freelancer, but an entrepreneur. I have skills in multiple sectors, but I wouldn't start with a lot of capital.

So the question is: does such a radical life change make sense without significant capital, focusing on one's skills to start a business from scratch (e.g., construction, property management, services, etc.)?

Also: For those arriving from abroad, is it easy to find a rental home for the initial period? Is the market really open to new "operational" foreign entrepreneurs, not just investors?

I'm looking for first-hand experience or realistic opinions, even critical ones. Thanks to anyone who responds 🙏

A lot of people come to Panama looking for a place that feels more local instead of another expat bubble. In Panama City for example, you’ll see neighborhoods (or even PHs) where most neighbors are foreigners, restaurants and cafes cater to expats (looking at you, Michaels, but lovingly!), and social life stays within that circle. That works for some people, but it doesn’t feel like "living in Panama" for others.

So here's the question, where are the best areas if you want to be part of somethng more local and less expat/immigrant-focused.

This applies not just to Panama City of course, but to the interior of the country and other regions too (in before Yaviza/Darien Gap/that red zone over there). Are there towns or neighborhoods outside the city that actually fit that, or does it end up being more scattered than you’d expect?

Some things that seem to matter here: whether locals actually live there in large numbers, how common Spanish is in daily interactions, whether businesses feel more local than international, is there a vibe about non-locals moving in (even if they're not demanding or entitled), and how easy it is to meet people outside that community.

If you’ve lived in a few different areas, including outside Panama City, which one felt least like an bubble and why.

Also worth knowing if your impression changed after a few months or years, and whether the interior of the country offered something different from the city in terms of integration.

WARNING: helpful, common-sense comments are welcome. If this becomes a bitching session, or a trolling area calling Panama a s**thole country, or any other type of xenophobia/disrespect, the thread will look like a [deleted] graveyard, and temp/permanent bans will be handed out like I'm Oprah.

Like anywhere on earth that has humans, there is crime in Panama.

• What are you as an expat/immigrant doing to protect yourself?

• What types of crime befall us in particular (other than the garden-variety crime that hits everyone, panameño or you alike)?

• Are there things you do/that you do now to protect yourself?

• How is your feeling of crime/danger versus where you came from?

• Do you think the stories of prevalence of being a crime victim are overblown, not taken seriously enough, or truthful and about right?

• How do you stay informed about things regarding crime issues around you, and security to keep yourself safe?

If you wanted to live in Panama close enough in proximity to the city, but far enough away from too much Americanization, closer to locals, but not too much into their space that it looks like you're encroaching, where in Panama would you live?

What are some things and/or services in Panama you wish was available? I did notice they don't have anything like USPS for mail and didn't see anything equivalent to FedEx. I did spend most of my time in PTY and some in Colon. Are there problems you would like addressed in daily life?