Panama Pensionado (Retiree) Residency

Legal representation and full processing of the Permanent Residency Permit as a Pensioned Resident (Pensionado), under Article 164 of Executive Decree No. 320 of August 8, 2008. Grants permanent residency in a single step to applicants with a qualifying lifetime pension — no provisional period, open to all nationalities.

Scope of Services

• Legal advisory and eligibility assessment
• Drafting of Power of Attorney and memorial
• Document preparation, apostille coordination, and review
• Filing and follow-up before the Servicio Nacional de Migración (SNM)
• Support for Pensionado discount card application
• Status tracking through approval and cédula issuance

Benefits

• Permanent residency in a single step — no provisional period
• Open to all nationalities, no minimum age requirement
• Family inclusion: spouse and minor children (US$250/month pension uplift per dependent)
• Pathway to Panamanian citizenship 5 years after obtaining permanent residency
• Statutory Pensionado discounts (Law 6/1987 and Law 14/2009):

• 50% off entertainment (theatres, cinemas, sports events)
• 30% off public transport; 25% off airline tickets
• 50% off hotels Mon–Thu (30% Fri–Sun); 25% off restaurants
• 20% off medical consultations; 15% off hospital bills
• 20% off prescription medication; 10% off dental and ophthalmologic services
• 25% off electricity and phone bills (within statutory limits)
• 50% off mortgage closing costs + 1% reduction in mortgage interest on personal residence
• One-time duty-free import of household goods up to US$10,000
• Duty-free import of a vehicle every 2 years

Pension Threshold

• US$1,000/month minimum lifetime pension (from government, public or private pension fund, or insurance company)
• Reduced to US$750/month if applicant owns Panamanian real estate valued at US$100,000+
• Each dependent requires an additional US$250/month

Professional Fees

US$2,500.00 + 7% ITBMS (VAT) — per Art. 4.2.1.2.2.2, Acuerdo No. 609-A of June 4, 2021, Colegio Nacional de Abogados de Panamá.

Government & Notary Costs (paid directly by client)

• Notary fees: ~US$30.00
• National Treasury: US$250.00 (certified check)
• National Migration Service (SNM): US$800.00 (certified check)
• Cédula (national ID) issuance — Tribunal Electoral: US$50.00 per applicant
• Total government costs: ~US$1,130.00

Additional out-of-pocket expenses (apostilles, translations, health certificate, passport photos) vary by case and will be quoted individually. Dependent applications: spouse US$1,000 + ITBMS; each minor child US$750 + ITBMS.

Legal Basis

Decree-Law No. 3 of February 22, 2008; Executive Decree No. 320 of August 8, 2008, Art. 164; Law 6 of June 16, 1987; Law 14 of January 27, 2009; Law 38 of 2000.

Approval timeline: Approx. 4–6 months from filing of complete file.