# Panama real estate and residency investment regulations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/panama-real-estate-and-residency-investment-regulations
> Updated: 2026-10-20T20:08:45.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

Panama has implemented regulatory changes to its Qualified Investor Program via Executive Decree No. 17, aiming to stimulate the construction sector and attract foreign capital. The decree increases the investment threshold for resale properties to $500,000, while maintaining a $300,000 minimum for new, unoccupied properties purchased from developers. To protect pre-construction purchases, new regulations require irrevocable bank guarantees or escrow accounts. Other updates include higher requirements for fixed-term deposits—$750,000 at private banks or $500,000 at state-owned institutions—and mandatory annual check-ins with the Ministry of Commerce and Industries for five years.

Despite these efforts to steer investment toward new construction, the residential real estate market experienced a 13% decrease in sales during the first half of 2026, totaling $695 million. Data from the Panamanian Association of Real Estate Brokers and Promoters (ACOBIR) indicates the most significant decline occurred in the low-cost segment, where sales of homes priced up to $120,000 dropped by 28.3%. The commercial market also contracted, with sales falling 26.6% year-on-year to $50.5 million.

Conversely, international demand remains a growth driver, as sales to foreign buyers rose by 17.7% to $712 million. Rodolfo Sabonge, Director General of National Planning at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, noted that investor confidence depends on fiscal certainty and legal security. While local sales have slowed, construction permits reached $597.6 million in the first half of the year, and the sector is projected to grow between 4% and 5% in 2026.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Panama real estate sales decline in first half of 2026

Panama's residential real estate sales fell 13% to $695 million in H1 2026, though foreign buyer demand rose 17.7%.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panama-real-estate-sales-decline-in-first-half-of-2026

### 2026-09-25: Panama real estate: Due diligence and investment considerations

Foreign investors in Panama must navigate complex due diligence regarding property titles, condominium finances, and the distinction between real estate ownership and residency rights.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panama-real-estate-due-diligence-and-investment-considerations

### 2026-09-21: Panama updates Qualified Investor Program rules

Panama has updated its Qualified Investor Program, raising the real estate investment threshold for resale properties to $500,000 while maintaining $300,000 for new builds to encourage construction.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panama-updates-qualified-investor-program-to-boost-foreign-investment

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Cite as: Panama real estate and residency investment regulations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/panama-real-estate-and-residency-investment-regulations