The closure of the copper mine abruptly changed Panama’s export landscape. What once seemed like an export-driven economy fueled by a mega-mining project once again revealed a more modest reality: shrimp, bananas, fish, coffee, pineapples, meat, and some industrial products. All of them are important. None, on its own, is capable of filling the void left by copper. But there is one export that Panama...
A city with red rooftops in the foreground and skyscrapers in the background.There are several pathways to residency in Panama, starting with a $100,000 investment in teak reforestation.Credit…Toh Gouttenoire for The New York TimesPanama is consistently lauded for its quality of life, robust service industry, ease of visa process and health care (there’s a Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital in Panama...
Over 700,000 Americans are spending their retirement years abroad, according to data from the Social Security Administration. While the cost of living, lower medical expenses, and safety are essential to planning an overseas retirement, another important consideration is obtaining residency. According to a recent report by International Living, Panama is the most welcoming country...
Panama Residence by Investment (Panama Golden Visa): Panama’s residence-by-investment program, also known as the Panama golden visa, offers individuals the opportunity to obtain residence by investing in Panama, which is an international banking center. It allows foreign nationals to invest in the country and apply for a residence permit. Overview of the Panama Residence by Investment Program...
While most global conversations on investment migration revolve around Europe, the Caribbean, or Asia-Pacific, Latin America has quietly emerged as a region offering cost-effective and flexible residency pathways. In 2025, several Latin American countries stand out for their ease of entry, fast timelines, favourable tax treatment, and access to citizenship. These programs are particularly attractive to...
The tranquil beaches and lush rainforests of Central America now echo with a new sound: the arrival of private jets carrying the world’s wealthiest individuals. Fresh data reveals an unprecedented millionaire migration wave transforming Costa Rica and Panama into elite sanctuaries, with 650 affluent newcomers projected by 2025. This isn’t just a tropical fantasy—it’s a calculated relocation of...
It's a tale as old as time—or at least one that goes back a few decades now: The surfers come first, then the cute cafés, restaurants, and boutique hotels follow. That's been the story in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Starting in the mid-1990s, wave riders would arrive every winter to conquer the legendary offshore break Silverbacks. Nonsurfers would usually stumble upon Bocas—which sits on...
The past few months have seen a surge in the number of Americans applying for "golden visas" around the world as growing economic uncertainty pushes many wealthy residents to look for stability out of the country. Golden visas, also known as residency-by-investment programs, offer temporary or permanent residency in a country in return for a substantial investment. For high-net-worth individuals, it is...
It should be noted that in the first quarter of 2024, the Panamanian economy only grew 1.8%. Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.6% in the first quarter of 2025, driven primarily by the transportation sector, the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) of the Comptroller General’s Office confirmed Tuesday. The technical report revealed that GDP valued at...
Retiring overseas is an exciting adventure, but it comes with its challenges. You’ll need a wealth of information to make the right choice—and, more importantly, guidance to help you interpret it all. That’s why we created the 2025 Annual Global Retirement Index: your essential roadmap for finding the retirement destination that best suits your lifestyle, priorities, and dreams. When we first...
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