International Removals UK to Panama

It takes between 20 and 21 days for an international move from the UK to Panama. It’ll take 20 days from London Gateway to the port of Colon and 21 days to Panama City. You should add times for UK collection, packing, customs clearance and final delivery.

Returning citizens and those with permanent residency status qualify for duty-free customs on their household goods and personnel effects if the items have been used for at least 6 months before shipping them. Temporary residents and visitors may have to pay customs duties on certain items, so it’s advised to contact Panama’s Customs Office to confirm this. New items are subject to customs duties based on the item’s CIF value (cost, insurance, and freight) and can be up to 15%. A VAT (ITBMS) charge of 7% is also applied to new items.

There are certain documents that are required when you move to Panama from the UK. We’ll make sure you have the correct documents before shipping your items. We’ll even provide you with some of the essential documents needed for international removals to Panama. You may need more documents for further proof so doing your own research is vital.

• A copy of your passport including the visa page
• Residency permit documents or proof of visa
• Tax Identification Number (NIT)
• A Bill of Lading which is issued by 1st Move International and highlights the contents of the shipment
• An inventory list

UK citizens can stay in Panama visa-free for up to 180 days. Any trips longer than this will require the most relevant visa. Many people move to Panama to work or for long-term stays. Here are the most popular visa options for a move from the UK to Panama.

Friendly Nations Visa

The UK is eligible under the Friendly Nations Visa, allowing UK citizens to apply for Permanent Residency if they meet the requirements. This can be on a temporary or permanent basis.

Key Requirements:

• Proof of financial or business efforts in Panama. This could be buying property or employment
• Pay a £5,000 deposit in a Panamanian bank account
• A police clearance certificate from the UK
• A professional reference from someone who knows you in the UK

You can read the full requirements of the Panama Friendly Nations Visa on the residencies.io website .

Work Visa

For those who have secured employment in Panama, you will need a Work Visa. The Work Visa is valid for 1 year and can be renewed for another year. You might be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency after 2 years in Panama on a Work Visa.

Key Requirements:

• A valid UK passport
• A job offer from a legitimate company in Panama that can prove the role couldn’t have been given to a Panama citizen
• A signed contract notarised by a Panamanian notary
• A completed work visa application form sent to the Ministry of Labor
• A police clearance certificate from the UK

You can find out more about the Panama Work Visa requirements on the Globalization Partners website .

Temporary Resident Visa

There are a range of categories that fall under the Temporary Resident Visa and are mainly for retirees, investors or family reunification reasons. This visa is typically valid for 1 year with the option to renew.

Key Requirements:

• A UK passport valid for 6 months after the date of application
• A completed Temporary Resident Visa application form
• If a retiree, you’ll need proof that you have a lifetime pension and a monthly income of $1,000
• If an investor, you’ll need proof that you’ve invested $10,000 into a business or property
• Proof of financial stability via bank statements
• A UK police clearance certificate
• Proof of address in Panama

Read the full requirements for the Panama Temporary Resident Visa here .

Yes, shipping your pet to Panama can be done, but you have to ensure they have the necessary documents and vaccinations ready to travel.

Import Permit:

Your pet will need a valid import permit from the Panama Ministry of Agricultural Development.

Health Certificate:

You must get an international health certificate for your pet within 15 days before travel.

Rabies Vaccination:

Your pet must have their rabies vaccination at least 30 days before travel.

Microchips aren’t a requirement, but they are always recommended for the safety of your pet.

Yes, you can track your shipment to Panama with 1st Move International’s free shipping container tracking tool. Once your shipment has left the UK, we will send you a unique tracking code so you can view the movements of your container.

The cost of living in Panama in 2024 is 44.4% lower than in the UK. Rent prices in Panama are 54.3% lower than in the UK, with a 3-bedroom apartment costing £870.65 ($1,136.21) per month in rent. It’s 188% more expensive to buy property in the UK than it is in Panama, with the average cost per square meter to buy in the city being £1,716.73 ($2,240.35). Grocery, restaurant and utility prices are all more affordable in Panama. The average monthly salary is significantly higher in the UK, with Panamanians earning £610.24 ($796.36) per month.

Panama offers free and low-cost public healthcare to its citizens and residents through the Ministry of Health and Social Security Fund. Its healthcare system is heavily subsidised, with employed people also paying monthly contributions to the social security system. This is 12.25% of your monthly salary. You can find advanced hospitals in Panama City such as Hospital Santo Tomás and Complejo Hospitalario Arnulfo Arias Madrid, but you’ll find limited resources in more rural areas. Panama also has a private healthcare system that sees many citizens and expats opting for private healthcare insurance which can cost between $50 and $150 per month for basic cover.

Primary education in Panama begins at age 6 and secondary school ends at age 17. There are pre-primary schools available, although not compulsory. The compulsory school age ends at 15 in Panama, with many children choosing to continue their studies. Instruction is in Spanish in most public and private schools, with English and Spanish becoming more popular for instruction in private schools. The University of Panama is the country's most respected university and Panamanian citizens and residents can attend at affordable prices. Semester costs range from between $100 and $500.

Logistics, finance, and tourism comprise a large part of Panama's economy and are the main employment sectors. You can expect higher salaries for jobs in the finance and logistics sectors but salaries tend to be low for agriculture and retail positions. It’s common for British ex-pats to find employment in multinational companies as well as in the finance and IT sectors. You can find current job vacancies on online job portals such as Konzerta , LinkedIn and OpcionEmpleo .