Official procedures for living in Panama

Each procedure in one line, with a direct link to the agency that handles it. No middlemen. Checked on 12 November 2026.

Immigration · Public Registry · Driving licence · Licence plates · Water · Electricity · Taxes · Pets · Social security · FAQ

Immigration (Servicio Nacional de Migración)

• Residence permits: official requirements for every category (retiree, Friendly Nations, investor, work, family…) as PDFs. → migracion.gob.pa · Guide
• Tourist visa extension: if you were granted less than 90 days, you can extend up to 90 in total, in person or through a lawyer, showing at least B/.500. → Requirements (PDF, SNM) · Guide
• Extension to switch to residency: up to 60 more days, through a lawyer, filed 10 business days before your stay ends; if approved, B/.250 plus a B/.500 deposit. → Requirements (PDF, SNM)
• Change of address, digital ID card and certificates (online) → enif.migracion.gob.pa · Guide

Public Registry (Registro Público)

• Property, company or no-property certificate: request it in the Virtual Office, pay by Visa, MasterCard or Yappy, and receive it by email. → rp.gob.pa · Official manual (PDF) · Guide

Driving licence (ATTT / SERTRACEN)

• As a tourist: drive on your valid home licence for up to 90 days; tourists cannot get a Panamanian licence (ATTT, art. 110). → Panamá Digital (ATTT)
• Convert your foreign licence: immigration card, passport, valid licence plus its authenticated certification and copy (apostille or consular legalisation); book at licencia.com.pa. Allowed once, when you get your first Panamanian licence. → SERTRACEN: conversion · Guide
• First-time licence (no foreign licence) → SERTRACEN: first time

Licence plates (Municipality of Panama)

• Yearly plate pickup: valid vehicle inspection (revisado), plate fee paid, municipal clearance and ID or passport. Plate centre at Parque Francisco Arias Paredes (Calidonia), Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. → MUPA: plate pickup
• Check your plate, debts or requests online → consultatramite.mupa.gob.pa
• Note: Panama District only. San Miguelito, Arraiján and other districts have their own municipality.

Water (IDAAN)

• New water contract: the owner applies with the deed or a Public Registry certificate and ID or passport; anyone else needs an authorisation letter. Target install time with an existing connection: 2 days. → Panamá Digital (IDAAN) · IDAAN guide

Electricity (ENSA or Naturgy, depending on your area)

• ENSA: sign up via virtual office, app or service centres. Tenants: lease and the owner's ID; foreigners: passport or immigration card. Without payment history or credit references, a deposit applies. → ENSA: new service · ENSA guide
• Naturgy: deed or certificate; tenants: lease and owner's ID; foreigners: passport or immigration card. Deposit and connection fee appear on the first bill. → Naturgy: sign-up · Naturgy guide
• Which one serves me?: it depends on the corregimiento. · Utilities by area

Taxes (DGI) and government purchasing (PanamaCompra)

• Tax ID for foreigners: without a cédula you request a Tax Number (NT) online in e-Tax 2.0 with your passport, an original immigration movement record and proof of taxable income. Free; 2–6 business days. → DGI: RUC
• DGI tax clearance (paz y salvo): issued in e-Tax 2.0 with your RUC and NIT. A property clearance is required to transfer real estate. → DGI: clearance · e-Tax 2.0
• PanamaCompra: only if you will sell to the government (online quotes, bidder registry). → panamacompra.gob.pa

Pets (MIDA and MINSA)

• Bringing a dog or cat: apostilled health certificate (max. 30 days), vaccines up to date and notice 3–5 business days ahead to [email protected]. At Tocumen: B/.10 licence per species and B/.15 inspection per animal (MIDA), and B/.40 per animal or B/.130 with strict home quarantine (MINSA). → MIDA-MINSA requirements 2026 (PDF) · Guide

Social security (CSS)

• Employees: your employer must register you within 6 business days; foreigners bring passport or immigration card and the MITRADEL-registered contract. Your first insured card is free. → CSS: registration
• Voluntary insurance: (if you are not required to contribute): you pay half of the entry exams (B/.47) and choose a contribution base; current minimum base: ask CSS. → Panamá Digital (CSS)

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend my tourist stay in Panama?

If you were granted less than 90 days, you can ask Immigration to extend it up to 90 in total, showing at least B/.500. If you are applying for residency and are missing a document, there is an extension of up to 60 days through a lawyer (B/.250 + a B/.500 deposit).

Can I drive in Panama with my foreign licence?

Yes, for up to 90 days as a tourist. If you become a resident, you convert it once at SERTRACEN with your immigration card.

How do I get a property certificate from the Public Registry?

In the Public Registry's Virtual Office (rp.gob.pa): choose the type of certificate, pay by card or Yappy and it arrives by email.

What do I need to put the electricity in my name if I rent?

Your lease, the owner's ID and your passport or immigration card. ENSA or Naturgy, depending on your corregimiento; a deposit may apply.

Who applies for the IDAAN water contract?

The owner, with the deed or a Public Registry certificate; anyone else needs an authorisation letter.

Can a foreigner get a tax ID (RUC) in Panama?

Yes: a Tax Number (NT), requested online in the DGI's e-Tax 2.0. It is free.

How much does it cost to bring my dog to Panama?

At Tocumen: B/.10 per species and B/.15 per animal to MIDA, and B/.40 per animal to MINSA (B/.130 if you are placed under strict home quarantine).

Where do I pick up my car's licence plate in Panama City?

At the Municipality's plate centre in Parque Francisco Arias Paredes (Calidonia), with a valid inspection (revisado), the plate fee paid and municipal clearance.

Can I join the CSS without being employed?

Yes, as a voluntary insured person if you are not required to contribute. You pay half of the entry exams (B/.47).

All of this, organised in one guide

Living in Panama Kit 2026-2027 · US$19
The full guide to planning your move: visas and residency, neighborhoods with reference rents, real monthly costs, banking and checklists, in one PDF.

See the Kit → See all guides and resources →

Keep reading

• Area guides (Condado del Rey, El Dorado, San Francisco, Costa del Este…)
• Immigration & residency
• Utilities by area
• Banks for foreigners

General information with links to official sources; not legal advice. Check requirements and fees with the agency before starting the procedure.