How Can I Obtain the Panamanian Nationality?

How Can I Obtain the Panamanian Nationality? it is a common questions that our advicer have to answer frecuently.

Obtaining Panamanian nationality is possible and there are three methods according to article 8 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama. It can be obtained by birth, naturalization or constitutional provision.

Obtaining nationality through naturalization

In this particular case we will talk about nationality through naturalization, which is regulated in article 10 of the Constitution, what it consists of, the requirements and everything related to obtaining it.

Once you have been granted your Panamanian nationality, at the same time you are granted citizenship, and in this way you obtain all the civil rights and political participation that Panamanians have.

If you aspire to obtain the Panamanian nationality before you must have obtained the permanent residence either for labor reasons, friendly countries, SEM company (Headquarters of a multinational), investment or family reunification, our expert lawyers in foreigners can advise you.

I already have my permanent residency, now what?

Panamanian law requires a period of 3 to 5 years of legal residence from the time of the resolution of the corresponding residency in order to grant the nationality.

What are the three ways to naturalize in order to obtain Panamanian nationality?

1.     Foreigners with five consecutive years of permanent residence in the territory of the Republic if, after reaching the age of majority, declare their will to naturalize, expressly renounce their nationality of origin or the one they have.

2.    Foreigners with three consecutive years of residence in the territory of the Republic who have children born in the Republic of Panamanian father or mother or spouse of Panamanian nationality.

3.    Nationals by birth, of Spain or of a Latin American State, as long as they complete the same requirements that in their country of origin are demanded to the Panamanians to naturalize.

• 1 year of permanent residence: Colombia and El Salvador.
• 2 years of permanent residence: Argentina, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Spain and Honduras.
• 3 years of permanent residence: Uruguay.

What are the requirements to obtain Panamanian nationality?

• Police record issued by Panama, and the applicant's country of origin.
• Certificate of immigration status.
• Authenticated copy of the permanent resident card.
• Authenticated copy of the resolution of permanent residence.
• Authenticated copy of Panamanian identification type E.
• Proof of financial solvency.
• DGI income tax return.
• Copy of passport, authenticated by the consul of the country of origin.
• Certificate of good health.
• Basic knowledge test (language, history, geography and political organization).

In the following link you can find the Study Syllabus for the basic knowledge test.

What are the deadlines to obtain Panamanian nationality?

The naturalization process involves several entities, which review the applications and may even require additional documentation and finally the President of the Republic of Panama signs the applications.

Therefore, taking into account the aforementioned, citizenship may be taking around 2 to 5 years to be approved.

At Legal Solutions Panama we have an expert team in immigration procedures, we will accompany you from the first moment until the conclusion of your citizenship, so if you are interested in obtaining the Panamanian nationality do not hesitate to contact us.