🔌 Moving guide

Utilities in Panama: how to set up electricity, water, gas and internet

Which company provides each service in your area, which documents owners, tenants and foreigners need, what it costs to connect and what you will pay each month at the official rates in force.

Estimate my monthly cost See examples by apartment size

Who provides each service in each area

Area	💡 Electricity	🚰 Water	📶 Internet & phone	🗑️ Garbage collection
Condado del Rey	ENSA	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Altos de Panamá	ENSA	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Costa del Este	ENSA	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Punta Pacífica	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Clayton	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Albrook	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
El Dorado	ENSA + Naturgy (depends on the street)	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
San Francisco	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Avenida Balboa	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
El Cangrejo	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Casco Viejo	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
Las Lomas (David, Chiriquí)	EDECHI	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	Aseo del Municipio de David
Vía Centenario	ENSA + Naturgy (depends on the street)	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	AAUD
La Villa de Los Santos	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	Aseo del Municipio de Los Santos
Pedasí	Naturgy	IDAAN	+Móvil · Tigo Panamá	Aseo del Municipio de Pedasí

Distributor verified with each company's list of districts, the concession boundary (ASEP) and their maintenance notices in each area. +Móvil and Tigo fiber depends on the building: check your address. (checked on 27 Oct 2026)

💡 Electricity: ENSA or Naturgy depending on the area (EDECHI in Chiriquí)

You do not choose the company: Panama City is split into two concessions. The boundary runs along Vía Ernesto T. Lefevre / Av. 12 de Octubre, Av. Simón Bolívar (Transístmica), Harry Eno street, Av. Ricardo J. Alfaro and the Metropolitano and Camino de Cruces parks: west is Naturgy (Edemet) and east is ENSA.

ENSA (Elektra Noreste)

Electricity distributor for the eastern side of Panama City, Colón and Darién (EPM Group). In our guide it serves Condado del Rey, Altos de Panamá, Costa del Este and most of El Dorado.

Connection: Connection charge of up to B/. 16.69 (BTS rate, 2026-2030 tariff schedule, Res. AN 22031-Elec).

Deposit: If you present a good payment history certificate or credit references from the last 5 years, no deposit is charged. Without them, ENSA may ask for a security deposit of up to one (1) month of estimated consumption (per the tariff's general conditions). With a prepaid meter there is no deposit and no connection charge.

Requirements, rates and how to pay

Naturgy (Edemet)

Naturgy runs EDEMET, the distributor for western and central Panama City (plus Panamá Oeste and the central provinces). In our guide it serves Punta Pacífica, San Francisco, Clayton, Albrook, the Dos Mares area of El Dorado and, in Azuero, La Villa de Los Santos.

Connection: Connection charge of B/. 16.69 (BTS rate, 2026-2030 tariff schedule, Res. AN 22032-Elec).

Deposit: Naturgy charges a "security deposit and connection fee per the current tariff"; the deposit amount is not published: ask Naturgy.

Requirements, rates and how to pay

EDECHI (Naturgy Chiriquí)

Naturgy runs EDECHI, the electricity distributor for Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. In our guide it serves Las Lomas (David district), which appears in its official concession-area table.

Connection: EDECHI connection charge: ask Naturgy (we did not verify it in its tariff schedule).

Deposit: Naturgy charges a "security deposit and connection fee per the current tariff"; the amount is not published: ask Naturgy.

Requirements, rates and how to pay

Documents to put electricity in your name

Owner

Copy of the title deed or a Public Registry certificate (valid for 1 year) in the applicant's name
Valid national ID (or passport / immigration card for foreigners)
No outstanding electricity debts with the distributor
New property: occupancy permit or certificate from the municipality

Tenant

The same as the owner (title deed or Public Registry certificate of the property)
Copy of the lease signed with the owner
Copy of the owner's ID

Foreigner

Valid passport or immigration card (Servicio Nacional de Migración) instead of the cédula
If you cannot attend in person: original authorization letter (valid 6 months) with a copy of both people's IDs

No residence card yet? Residency options →

Residential rate (BTS) · BTS rate in force from 1 September to 31 December 2026 (ASEP), with the general FET discount and the October 2026 fuel adjustment

Charge	ENSA	Naturgy (Edemet)	EDECHI (Chiriquí)
Fixed charge (first 10 kWh), monthly	B/. 2.76	B/. 3.17	B/. 3.04
11–300 kWh, per kWh	B/. 0.17737	B/. 0.17624	B/. 0.19175
301–750 kWh, per kWh	B/. 0.24666	B/. 0.23177	B/. 0.25341
Over 750 kWh, per kWh	B/. 0.27005	B/. 0.25027	B/. 0.27486
FET discount up to 300 kWh	26.61 % – 46.19 %	30.62 % – 48.68 %	53.53 % – 75.64 % *
Fuel adjustment (Oct 2026), per kWh	B/. 0.00009	B/. -0.00882	B/. -0.01175
Connection charge (BTS)	up to B/. 16.69	B/. 16.69	Ask

* EDECHI: total discount for September 2026 (FET + FTO); the FTO may vary monthly. We did not verify EDECHI's connection charge: ask.

Each block is charged only for the kWh that fall in it (the first 10 are in the fixed charge). FET is the state contribution: a percentage of the bill is discounted depending on the 30-day consumption range; customers above 300 kWh get a smaller "additional FET" in some ranges. The fuel adjustment changes every month and receives no FET.

Sources: ASEP – Tarifas de electricidad para clientes regulados, vigentes del 1 sep al 31 dic 2026 (incluye FET) · ASEP – Variación por combustible, segundo semestre 2026 · ASEP – Pliegos tarifarios 2026-2030 (Res. AN 22031-Elec ENSA y AN 22032-Elec EDEMET)

🚰 Water: IDAAN in every area

National Water and Sewer Institute: the public utility for drinking water and sewerage in Panama City. It serves all 11 Panama City areas in our guide and also David (Chiriquí) and La Villa de Los Santos (Azuero), with a different rate.

Minimum charge of 30 m³ a month in Panama City and Colón: B/. 6.40 water + B/. 1.52 sewer = B/. 7.92
Up to 38 m³: B/. 0.21 per m³ of water (B/. 9.90 in total at 38 m³)
42 to 60 m³: B/. 0.36/m³; 61 to 78: B/. 0.40/m³; 79 to 116: B/. 0.43/m³; 117 to 192: B/. 0.44/m³
10 % surcharge if the bill is not paid within 30 days

In whose name? The owner applies. If someone else does it, they need an authorization letter signed by the owner and copies of both IDs. In many condo buildings water is included in the HOA fee (one meter for the building): ask the building management before applying.

Sources: ASEP – IDAAN, monto a pagar, tarifa residencial Panamá-Colón con alcantarillado · ASEP – Desglose de las tarifas del IDAAN (consumo mínimo 30 m³, B/. 0.21/m³ hasta 38 m³)

🔥 Gas: cylinders or building gas

In Panama cooking gas is LPG in cylinders. The 25 lb cylinder is subsidized: maximum price B/. 4.37 in Panama City and San Miguelito (Executive Decree 32 of 2026). The 100 lb cylinder costs B/. 88.90 (Panagas) to B/. 92.30 (Tropigas) in the second half of October 2026. In tall towers central building gas is the norm, paid to the management or through its own meter: ask before signing.

Tropigas

Distributor of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in 25 and 100 lb cylinders and installations for buildings.

25 lb refill in Panama City and San Miguelito: B/. 4.37 (maximum subsidized price, Executive Decree 32 of 2026)
100 lb refill: B/. 92.30 (scheduled deliveries, 16–29 October 2026; changes every two weeks)

Installation / cylinder: 100 lb cylinder installation: prior safety requirements; installation cost not published: ask.

Panagas

LPG de Panamá (Panagas): liquefied gas in 25, 60 and 100 lb cylinders and in bulk, with installation.

25 lb refill: B/. 4.37 (Panamá Centro)
60 lb refill: B/. 56.55; 100 lb: B/. 88.90 (Panamá Centro, 15–28 October 2026; changes every 15 days)

Installation / cylinder: Installation in Panamá Centro: 25 lb B/. 95.32 in total (labor B/. 16.05 + regulator B/. 16.05 + use fee B/. 58.85 + refill B/. 4.37); 100 lb B/. 176.65 in total.

Sources: Tropigas – Precio del relleno de 25 lb por región (Ciudad de Panamá B/. 4.37) · Tropigas – Cilindro de 100 lb (B/. 92.30, del 16 al 29 oct 2026) · Panagas – Precios del 15 al 28 de octubre de 2026 · Telemetro – Acodeco recuerda los precios máximos del cilindro de 25 lb (Decreto Ejecutivo 32 de 2026)

📶 Internet, landline and mobile: +Móvil or Tigo

Since 2024 Panama has only two operators: +Móvil (Cable & Wireless Panamá, which absorbed Claro in 2022) and Tigo (formerly Cable Onda and Movistar). Both operate in all 11 Panama City areas of the guide; in Las Lomas (Chiriquí), La Villa de Los Santos and Pedasí (Azuero), check coverage on your street; fiber depends on your building or street. Landlines are sold inside internet bundles.

Plan	Published price	With ITBMS (7 %)	Notes
+Móvil Internet +Fibra 300 Mbps	B/. 35.00 (was B/. 40.00)	B/. 37.45	Fiber; includes a landline (unlimited on-net + 300 off-net minutes). Free installation within 24 h per the plan card; "installation charge subject to credit policies".
+Móvil Internet +Fibra 600 Mbps	B/. 38.00 (was B/. 42.00)	B/. 40.66	Fiber; includes a landline.
+Móvil Internet Un GIGA	B/. 41.00 (was B/. 49.00)	B/. 43.87	Fiber; includes a landline.
Tigo Internet 500 Megas	B/. 33.00 (was B/. 40.00)	B/. 35.31	Up to 500 Mbps down and 15 up. Promotion only through digital channels (web, WhatsApp, social media).
Tigo Internet 500 Megas + apps	B/. 37.00 (was B/. 47.00)	B/. 39.59	500/15 Mbps with premium apps (VIX for 12 months).
Tigo Internet 750 Megas	B/. 40.00 (was B/. 54.00)	B/. 42.80	750/15 Mbps with premium apps.
Tigo Paquete Hogar 300 Megas + TV	B/. 44.00 (was B/. 50.00)	B/. 47.08	300/15 internet + TV with 150 channels.

Promotional prices published for new customers, valid from 1 to 31 October 2026; ITBMS (7 %) not included. Plans listed by operator, with no recommendation of one over another. Requirements for foreigners and deposits: neither operator publishes them; both run a credit check (APC).

+Móvil: requirements, coverage and payment → · Tigo: requirements, coverage and payment →

🗑️ Garbage collection: AAUD (municipality in David, Los Santos and Pedasí)

Urban and Household Waste Authority: collects garbage in the Panamá and San Miguelito districts, which include all 11 Panama City areas in our guide (in David, Chiriquí, and Los Santos, Azuero, collection is run by the municipality). Panamá district: on the IDAAN bill (pay water + garbage together) or at AAUD offices (P.H. Multiplaza, Av. Justo Arosemena and Calle 26; Vía Brasil agency). San Miguelito district: on the ENSA electricity bill since 2026. Residential rate: the AAUD does not publish its rate schedule on its website: ask the AAUD. If you think your rate is wrong, you can file a rate claim.

If you buy: To register a property purchase at the Public Registry you need the AAUD Paz y Salvo (B/. 1.00, valid 30 business days, only with a zero balance)

AAUD: how it is billed and where to file claims →

In the David district (Chiriquí) garbage collection is the Municipality's responsibility: Municipal Council Agreement 12 of 2025 transferred the Sanitation Department to the municipality and ordered a concession for collection, street sweeping and the San Pablo Viejo landfill. The AAUD does not operate in David. More →

In the Los Santos district (Azuero) garbage is collected by the Municipality of Los Santos, not the AAUD. According to Panamá América (June 2024), the municipality collects in 9 of the district's 15 corregimientos and the waste goes to the open-air La Honda dump. More →

In the Pedasí district (Azuero) garbage is collected by the Municipality of Pedasí, not the AAUD. According to the Land Use Plan published in January 2026, 92.5% of homes in the district have public collection; waste goes to the municipal dump in Mariabé, about 11 km from town. More →

Monthly usage examples by apartment size

Six typical cases calculated with the official rates: electricity at ASEP's BTS rate (September–December 2026, with FET and the October fuel adjustment), water with IDAAN's official table, the cheapest internet plan for each size with ITBMS and gas in 25 lb cylinders. Garbage: ask (not published).

Case	kWh	Electricity ENSA	Electricity Naturgy	Water	Internet	Gas	Total ENSA	Total Naturgy	Electricity EDECHI
1 bedroom, no A/C 2 people	177	B/. 19.35	B/. 20.96	B/. 7.92 23 m³	B/. 35.31 Internet 500 Megas	B/. 4.37 1 × 25 lb	B/. 66.95	B/. 68.56	B/. 14.17
1 bedroom, with A/C 2 people	423	B/. 84.57	B/. 72.40	B/. 7.92 23 m³	B/. 35.31 Internet 500 Megas	B/. 4.37 1 × 25 lb	B/. 132.17	B/. 120.00	B/. 62.39
2 bedrooms, no A/C 3 people	223	B/. 29.63	B/. 26.08	B/. 9.90 35 m³	B/. 37.45 Internet +Fibra 300 Mbps	B/. 4.37 1 × 25 lb	B/. 81.35	B/. 77.80	B/. 17.76
2 bedrooms, with A/C 3 people	715	B/. 145.10	B/. 135.85	B/. 9.90 35 m³	B/. 37.45 Internet +Fibra 300 Mbps	B/. 4.37 1 × 25 lb	B/. 196.82	B/. 187.57	B/. 100.22
3 bedrooms, no A/C 4 people	260	B/. 34.59	B/. 30.20	B/. 15.15 46 m³	B/. 40.66 Internet +Fibra 600 Mbps	B/. 8.74 2 × 25 lb	B/. 99.14	B/. 94.75	B/. 20.63
3 bedrooms, with A/C 4 people	998	B/. 230.49	B/. 211.84	B/. 15.15 46 m³	B/. 40.66 Internet +Fibra 600 Mbps	B/. 8.74 2 × 25 lb	B/. 295.04	B/. 276.39	B/. 152.58

Assumptions for each case (appliances and hours)

1 bedroom, no A/C: 1 × Refrigerator (15 cu ft), daily average (115 W, 24 h/day); 2 × Fan (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × 42" LED TV (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Washing machine (daily average) (500 W, 0.5 h/day); 1 × LED lighting (all bulbs) (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Laptop / router (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × Microwave (1000 W, 0.3 h/day).
1 bedroom, with A/C: 1 × Refrigerator (15 cu ft), daily average (115 W, 24 h/day); 1 × Fan (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × 42" LED TV (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Washing machine (daily average) (500 W, 0.5 h/day); 1 × LED lighting (all bulbs) (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Laptop / router (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × Microwave (1000 W, 0.3 h/day); 1 × Air conditioner 12,000 BTU conventional (1100 W, 8 h/day).
2 bedrooms, no A/C: 1 × Refrigerator (15 cu ft), daily average (115 W, 24 h/day); 3 × Fan (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × 42" LED TV (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Washing machine (daily average) (500 W, 1 h/day); 1 × LED lighting (all bulbs) (80 W, 6 h/day); 2 × Laptop / router (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × Microwave (1000 W, 0.3 h/day).
2 bedrooms, with A/C: 1 × Refrigerator (15 cu ft), daily average (115 W, 24 h/day); 1 × Fan (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × 42" LED TV (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Washing machine (daily average) (500 W, 1 h/day); 1 × LED lighting (all bulbs) (80 W, 6 h/day); 2 × Laptop / router (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × Microwave (1000 W, 0.3 h/day); 2 × Air conditioner 12,000 BTU conventional (1100 W, 8 h/day).
3 bedrooms, no A/C: 1 × Refrigerator (15 cu ft), daily average (115 W, 24 h/day); 4 × Fan (60 W, 10 h/day); 2 × 42" LED TV (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Washing machine (daily average) (500 W, 1 h/day); 1.5 × LED lighting (all bulbs) (80 W, 6 h/day); 2 × Laptop / router (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × Microwave (1000 W, 0.3 h/day).
3 bedrooms, with A/C: 1 × Refrigerator (15 cu ft), daily average (115 W, 24 h/day); 1 × Fan (60 W, 10 h/day); 2 × 42" LED TV (80 W, 5 h/day); 1 × Washing machine (daily average) (500 W, 1 h/day); 1.5 × LED lighting (all bulbs) (80 W, 6 h/day); 2 × Laptop / router (60 W, 10 h/day); 1 × Microwave (1000 W, 0.3 h/day); 3 × Air conditioner 12,000 BTU conventional (1100 W, 8 h/day).

Water: 100 gallons per person per day (figure cited by the Panama Canal Authority). A/C, fridge, fan, TV and washer wattages derived from the consumption figures published by ENSA; the rest are typical nameplate values. These are examples, not promises: your bill depends on your appliances and habits. ENSA – Los 5 electrodomésticos que más consumen (aire de 12,000 BTU a 10 h/día: 275–400 kWh/mes) · La Prensa – «Cada persona en Panamá consume cerca de 100 galones de agua por día» (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá)

Run your own estimate

Before you move

Ask the owner for the latest electricity and water bills: they show the distributor, the account number (NIS/NIC) and any debt.
Ask the building management what the HOA fee includes (water, gas, garbage) and which operators have fiber in the building.
Bring the lease, the deed or Public Registry certificate, the owner's ID and your passport or residence card.
Open a bank account to pay through online banking: banks for foreigners.
If you are asked for a residence card, see the residency options on Trámites Visa Panamá and, if your documents are in another language, official translation.

Utilities by area

Condado del Rey

💡 ENSA

Utilities in Panama: how to set up electricity, water, gas and internet

Who provides each service in each area

💡 Electricity: ENSA or Naturgy depending on the area (EDECHI in Chiriquí)

Documents to put electricity in your name

Owner

Tenant

Foreigner

Residential rate (BTS) · BTS rate in force from 1 September to 31 December 2026 (ASEP), with the general FET discount and the October 2026 fuel adjustment

🚰 Water: IDAAN in every area

🔥 Gas: cylinders or building gas

📶 Internet, landline and mobile: +Móvil or Tigo

🗑️ Garbage collection: AAUD (municipality in David, Los Santos and Pedasí)

Monthly usage examples by apartment size

Before you move

Utilities by area

Frequently asked questions

All providers