Relocation
Move to Panama with someone who already knows the ground
We help you land in Panama City: the right neighborhood for your profile, the home (rental or purchase), and coordination with partner immigration lawyers for the visa side. As of July 2026, renting a 100 m² two-bedroom in the areas we work costs about $1,150–1,350/month ($11.6–13.5 per m²), according to our Residential Market Study.
Information and fees reviewed as of July 2026 · Vaca Group Residential Market Study 2026-Q3.
Your move, in 90 orderly days
- 01
Weeks 1–2 · Area and budget
A video call to understand your profile (family, work, pets, school) and your real budget. We propose 2–3 neighborhoods with rental data and lifestyle notes, and run video tours if you're not in Panama yet.
- 02
Weeks 3–6 · The home
In-person or remote showings, negotiation, and signing the lease (typically 12 months, deposit + first month) or the promise-to-purchase if you're buying. We review the clauses with you before you sign.
- 03
Weeks 6–10 · Settling in
The move, power, internet, and water in your name, a documented move-in inventory. We orient you on banking, health insurance, and international schools, and connect you with our partners where a specialist is needed.
- 04
In parallel · Immigration
The visa runs with partner immigration lawyers (Pensionado, Friendly Nations, Qualified Investor, or another route depending on your case). We provide the real estate side of the file when the visa requires it.
Which neighborhood fits you?
The quick rule we use daily — every neighborhood has a full guide with market data, lifestyle, and listings:
| Profile | Areas | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Families with kids | Santa María · Costa del Este | International schools, security, and master-planned neighborhood life. |
| Young professionals | San Francisco · El Cangrejo | Walkable, restaurant-rich, and the best price/location ratio. |
| Executives and views | Punta Pacífica · Avenida Balboa | Oceanfront towers close to the financial district and hospitals. |
| Character and history | Casco Antiguo | UNESCO heritage, restored architecture, and cultural life. |
What we do — and what we coordinate with partners
- Home search for rent or purchase, with negotiation and contract review.
- Neighborhood, school, and cost-of-living guidance with data, not brochures.
- Video tours and remote signing if you're not in Panama yet.
- Home setup: utilities, move-in inventory, and trusted contacts.
- If you buy to support an investment visa, the entire real estate side.
- Visas and residency → partner immigration lawyers (we are not lawyers and don't process visas directly).
- Tax and accounting structure → trusted accountants and tax attorneys.
- International moving and pets → accredited freight agents and veterinarians.
- Local and international health insurance → partner insurance brokers.
Frequently asked questions about moving to Panama
- Does Vaca Group process visas or residency?
- Not directly, and we prefer to say it plainly: we are a real estate brokerage (Lic. PN 5904), not immigration lawyers. What we do is coordinate your case with trusted partner immigration lawyers, handle the real estate side of the process (the home that sometimes supports the visa), and help with everything around the move: neighborhood, school, lease, or purchase.
- How much does renting cost when you land in Panama City (2026)?
- In the areas we work, apartment rents run about $11.6–13.5 per m²/month as of July 2026: a 100 m² two-bedroom typically goes for ~$1,150–1,350 a month in areas like San Francisco, El Cangrejo, or Bella Vista, and higher in Costa del Este or Punta Pacífica. Standard leases are 12 months, with a deposit plus first month at signing. Data from Vaca Group's Residential Market Study.
- Which neighborhood suits my profile?
- The quick rule we use daily: families with kids → Santa María or Costa del Este (international schools, security, master-planned neighborhood life); young professionals → San Francisco or El Cangrejo (walkable, restaurants, better price/location ratio); executives who want a tower and a view → Punta Pacífica or Avenida Balboa; character and history → Casco Antiguo. We fine-tune it with you on a 20-minute video call.
- Should I rent before buying?
- In most cases, yes: we recommend renting for 6–12 months to confirm the neighborhood, commutes, and lifestyle before committing capital. Panama rarely punishes those who wait — inventory is ample in almost every segment as of 2026 — and living the area teaches you more than rushing. If your case is investment tied to a visa, the equation changes and we run the numbers with you.
- How long does a typical move to Panama take?
- With an orderly process, 60–90 days from decision: weeks 1–2 defining area and budget (with video tours if you're not in Panama yet), weeks 3–6 for showings and signing the lease (or promise-to-purchase), and the rest for the move, utilities, banking, and school. The immigration side runs in parallel with the lawyer and depends on the visa type.
Tell us your relocation plan
When are you arriving, with whom, and on what budget? With that we build your neighborhood shortlist and next steps within 24 hours.