Real estate in Panama
Residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural property, and land held for the long term. Foreigners can generally buy on the same terms as Panamanians, and Richard is a licensed Panama realtor.
Featured property
Kingfisher Bay, Pearl Islands
1,500 hectares of titled land on Isla del Rey, with about 18 km of coastline, beaches, cliffs and rivers.
View the propertyTypes of property
| Type | Typical buyer | What to look at |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Retirees, relocating families, investors renting out | Location, building quality and management fees, rental demand, title |
| Commercial | Business owners and investors | Tenant quality, lease terms, zoning, parking and access |
| Industrial | Logistics, manufacturing and distribution companies | Road and port access, power and utilities, free zone or special regime fit |
| Agricultural land and land banking | Farmers, developers, long-term holders | Title type, access, water, zoning and the development outlook |
Buying as a foreigner
The basics before you choose a property.
Ownership rights
Foreigners can generally own property in Panama on the same terms as citizens, in their own name or through a Panamanian company. Restrictions apply in some border and island areas, so we check this for each property.
Title matters most
Titled land (registered in the Public Registry) is very different from land held by right of possession. Many bargains are possession-only. We confirm the title type first.
Use a lawyer and a title search
A Panamanian attorney checks liens, ownership history and the purchase contract, and the Public Registry confirms the owner.
Closing costs and taxes
There is typically a property transfer tax, notary and registry fees, and capital gains rules on the seller. Rates and who pays vary by deal and change, so confirm them with your attorney before you sign.
Residency link
A real estate purchase can support a residency application in some programs. See Qualified Investor.
Residential
Apartments, houses, beach and mountain homes.
Panama City offers modern high-rise apartments with amenities, from the Cinta Costera and Punta Pacífica to Costa del Este, along with older neighborhoods and quieter suburbs. Outside the city, buyers look at the Pacific beaches, El Valle de Antón, Boquete and the Azuero peninsula for second homes, retirement and rental income.
- ApartmentsCheck the building's maintenance fees, reserve fund and whether short-term rentals are allowed.
- New versus resaleNew projects often offer payment plans, but check the developer's track record and how deposits are protected.
- RetireesMany Pensionado residents rent first, then buy once they know the area.
Commercial
Offices, retail, hotels and mixed-use.
Commercial property includes offices in the banking district, street-front retail, shopping centers, hotels and mixed-use buildings. Panama City is a regional business hub, which supports demand from companies using the SEM regime for regional headquarters. We help you evaluate the location, lease structure, zoning and the real return after costs.
Industrial
Warehouses, logistics parks and manufacturing sites.
Industrial property sits near the canal, the ports and the airports, in logistics parks, and in or near special zones. Companies weighing the Colón Free Zone, EMMA or a private free zone need space that fits the regime. With Richard's past work promoting these regimes, we can help match the site to the incentive.
Agricultural land and land banking
Farms, fincas and land held for the future.
Panama has farmland and highland fincas for coffee, cattle, fruit and vegetables, plus land that buyers hold while growth reaches it, known as land banking. Rewards can be strong but so are the risks, so due diligence matters more here than anywhere else.
- TitleConfirm titled versus possession rights and a clear survey (plano).
- Access and utilitiesRoad access, water rights and electricity cost money to add later.
- ZoningCheck the land-use designation, since it decides what you can build or farm.
- Holding costsProperty taxes, upkeep and the time you can wait for growth to arrive.
Land banking is a long-term bet, not a guarantee. We give you facts and local context, not a promise of appreciation.
How we help
Search and shortlist
Properties that fit your purpose and budget, in the city or the interior.
Due diligence
Introductions to the attorneys and surveyors who verify title and zoning.
Negotiation and closing
Support from offer to signing, in English or Spanish.
After you buy
Property management introductions and help with residency.
General information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules, taxes and fees change; confirm current requirements with a Panamanian attorney before you buy.