The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the
Republic of Panama and the Italian Republic created a special visa for Italian citizens in 1966. This visa granted Italian citizens the freedom of travel and residence in Panama without any special permission. It also granted them the right to work and participate in business activities in the country. The treaty was updated in 2003 and is still in effect today. The visa also grants Italian citizens the right to own property and receive the same benefits as local citizens in terms of taxation, social security, and healthcare. The visa does not, however, grant Italian citizens the right to acquire Panamanian citizenship.
This visa requires the following:
- An Italian passport will allow you to enter Panama.
- Notarized Power of Attorney and Request.
- Photographs of five (5) passport sizes.
- Passport duly notarized.
- Record of criminal activity.
- Certificate of good health.
- A document that indicates your purpose in establishing your residence (economic activity or profession). In order to fulfill this requirement, you can form a Panamanian company.
- Documents that identify you as Italian, such as your cedula, Italian residence card, [certificate type=”birth”] or any other documents that prove your ethnicity.
- Form of Personal History Affidavit.
- Referral letter from a Panamanian bank with a balance exceeding USD $5,000 to demonstrate financial stability.
- The National Treasury has been credited with $250.00.
- A company, titled real estate, or a job offer that demonstrates economic ties to Panama.
- A dependent must present the following documents if they have dependents:
- Responsibilities letter.
- A certificate of kinship.
- Those over 18 must present a certificate of singleness and a certificate of study.
There are several advantages to having this visa as an Italian citizen. The same process is open to spouses and dependents who are not Italian. It can be applied to Panamanian identity cards. A property purchase or a large investment in Panama is not required to apply.
Panama Residency for Italian Citizens
You can reach immigration services at:
immigration Panama GOV. (opens in new tab) Immigration Services Panama – Lawyers Office (opens in new tab)