Italian Residency Visa In Panama: Requirements, What Can You Do With This Visa, How To Get It

Hey there! If you hold an Italian passport and dream of living, working, or investing in sunny Panama, you may be closer to that goal than you think.

Recently, I invited two experts, Ryan and Tamara from The Independent Lawyer, to break down the Italian Residency Visa in Panama.

Together, we explored:

1. Why this treaty-based visa exists,

2. How it works,

3. What’s required, and

4. How much you need to invest.

Whether your goal is to relocate, run a business, or simply keep a flexible home base in Latin America, this visa offers one of the smoothest paths to permanent residency for Italians.

In this article, I’ll walk you through what we discussed, including:

1. Why Panama created this program,

2. Who qualifies for it,

3. The minimal requirements,

4. How to set up your Panamanian corporation, and

5. What you can actually do once you have this visa.

If you’ve been weighing your options, this might be the most straightforward way to make Panama your second home.

Use Code ‘VOVA’ To Save 10% On The Independent Lawyer Services!

Why Does This Visa Even Exist

Panama and Italy share a long-standing Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation Treaty.

To honor that pact, Panama created a special visa that rewards Italian citizens with a streamlined path to permanent residency.

In practice, that means fewer documents, faster processing, and no hefty investment minimums.

Who Can Apply

Here’s a quick breakdown of who qualifies for this residency program:

1. Primary applicant: Any adult Italian passport holder.

2. Family members: Spouses and dependent children can tag along - even if they are not Italian.

Everyone receives the same permanent-residency status.

Core Requirements (Just Two!)

To qualify, applicants need to meet just two core requirements:

1. Valid Italian passport: current and in good standing.

2. Panamanian corporation — you must own (or co-own) a local company.

That’s it.

There’s no fixed capital threshold, no job-offer requirement, and no language exam.

===

-: Gentle Reminder:-

Use Code ‘VOVA’ To Save 10% On The Independent Lawyer Services!

===

Setting Up Your Panama Corporation

Creating a company in Panama is fast, low-cost, and mostly paper-based:

1. Timeline: Often complete within a week.

2. Cost: Government fees start around $300, plus modest legal drafting fees.

3. Maintenance: Keep annual franchise tax paid (about $300) and file a simple return.

Ryan notes that many newcomers open a corporation anyway — whether to hold real estate, run a small café, or invest in local projects.

So the corporate step solves two problems at once: you get a useful business vehicle and unlock your visa.

What Can You Actually Do With This Visa?

Live indefinitely in Panama - it’s a straight shot to permanent residency.

Work or start a business under your own corporation.

Buy property with the same rights locals enjoy.

Include family so everyone enjoys the same stability.

The visa also grants you travel flexibility.

You can maintain your Italian citizenship while accessing the Americas with shorter flights and favorable tax planning options.

Is This Visa Right for You?

Well, you must consider it if you value a simple, treaty-based program over lengthy investor visas.

It’s also a good option if you plan to run a business / hold assets in Panama, or want your entire family to gain residency without extra nationality hurdles.

By the way, there are other popular residency visas in Panama, I'd recommend you reading this article to learn more about other options too.

One of the interesting options is the qualified investor visa in Panama.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Expert guidance makes the process almost effortless.

Use coupon code VOVA to save 10% on legal services from The Independent Lawyer and move one step closer to calling Panama home.

Learn more about their services here: The Independent Lawyer Review - Boutique Law Firm In Panama

Sunny beaches, year-round warm weather, and a business-friendly climate await — why not make the most of your Italian passport today?