Qualified Investor residency reset: new thresholds in Decree 17

Panama updated its Qualified Investor permanent-residency pathway through Executive Decree No. 17 (8 September 2026), published in Gaceta Oficial 30613 on 16 September. It replaces the prior Decreto 722/2020 framework and resets investment thresholds and processing clocks that matter for ongoing files.

New-build / first-sale real estate: B/.300,000; resale / secondary market: B/.500,000. Securities: B/.500,000; private-bank certificate of deposit: B/.750,000; BNP / Caja de Ahorros CD: B/.500,000. MICI certification target: ≤15 business days; SNM decision target: ≤30 business days. Applications already filed before 16 September 2026 keep the rules in force when filed. Investments or binding contracts completed before that date may still use the prior regime if filed within six months of entry into force. People who held, or had applied for, economic solvency residency on that date can ask to switch to Qualified Investor within 12 months if they meet the new minimums. The decree sets no end date for the B/.300,000 first-sale tier.

This is the main investment route to permanent residency for many non-retiree movers. Confirm amounts and transition rules in the Gaceta text with counsel before you commit funds. Residency is not automatic citizenship.

Sources

• Gaceta Oficial 30613
• Morgan & Morgan - Qualified Investor summary

Disclaimer: Not legal advice. Verify amounts and transition rules in the Gaceta. Do not treat residency as automatic citizenship.