Panama News
What is changing in Panama for property buyers: residency, taxes, laws, the economy. Official sources only — in brief, with what it means for a buyer.
What is changing in Panama for property buyers.
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- TaxesPanama leaves the EU tax blacklistThe European Union has removed Panama from its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and moved it to Annex II. Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance announced the decision on 9 October.
- Real estate and registryConstruction permits up 20% in the first half of the yearIn the first half of 2026 Panama issued construction permits worth $597.6 million — 20.2% more than a year earlier. The figures come from the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s economic review.
- Economy and CanalS&P affirms Panama’s investment-grade ratingS&P Global has kept Panama’s long-term rating at BBB- with a stable outlook — the lowest rung of investment grade. Panama’s Ministry of Finance called the decision the result of the government’s fiscal discipline.
- LawsPresident vetoes wider retiree benefits: current discounts stayPresident José Raúl Mulino has vetoed Bill No. 226, which expanded the mandatory discounts for retirees, and returned it to the National Assembly. He found the bill inappropriate and contrary to the law and the Constitution.
- Economy and CanalPanama’s economy grows 5.5% in the first half of the yearPanama’s GDP grew 5.5% in the first half of 2026, and 6.4% year on year in the second quarter. The figures were published by the National Institute of Statistics (INEC).
- Residency and visasNew investor residency rules in force: from $300,000 in new propertyOn 16 September Decree No. 17 of 8 September 2026 on Qualified Investor residency came into force (Gaceta Oficial No. 30613). It replaces the earlier Decree No. 722 of 2020.
- Economy and Canal1.75 million tourists visited Panama in the first half of the year, 17% moreIn the first half of 2026 Panama received 1.75 million foreign visitors — 17.4% more than a year earlier. The Tourism Authority (ATP) reported the figure; visitors brought the economy about $3.5 billion.
- Economy and CanalPanama Canal revenue up 17%In the first nine months of fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 to June 2026) the Canal’s transit revenue rose 17% to $4.8 billion. The figures were presented by Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez.
- Real estate and registryMetro Line 3 test runs begin in Panamá OesteOn 13 April the Line 3 monorail ran under its own power for the first time, from the depot to Ciudad del Futuro station in Panamá Oeste. Metro de Panamá announced the milestone.
News retold by the PanaVera editorial team from official sources; each item links to the original. The date is the date of the original publication.