Payment institutions (EMIs)
A fast route for a Panama company: quick setup, multi-currency support and remote opening for international operations.
- Multi-currency details
- International transfers
- Online management
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Company formation for non-residents
Company registration in Panama
We register a Panama corporation (Sociedad Anonima) for international trade, holding and ownership of foreign assets. Panama taxes only locally sourced income, so profits earned abroad stay outside the tax base. We prepare the articles of incorporation, appoint a registered agent (attorney) and registered address, and file beneficial owner details. We help you open an account with a bank or payment provider. The whole project runs remotely, from the name check to a complete set of corporate documents.
6+ years
in the industry
30+
jurisdictions
1,250+
clients worldwide
Price
from $1,450
Timeline
from 4 days
Format
fully remote
Key facts
Key facts about Panama company registration
A quick overview of the corporate, tax and annual conditions of the Panama jurisdiction for non-residents.
Company type
Panama S.A.
The Sociedad Anonima under Law 32 of 1927, the main vehicle for international trade, holding and ownership of foreign assets.
Foreign ownership
up to 100%
The company can be wholly owned by a non-resident. A minimum of 3 directors and 1 shareholder of any nationality is required, with no residency conditions.
Registered agent
Required
A registered agent, a Panama attorney or law firm, and a registered address in Panama are mandatory, and we provide both. A non-resident cannot register the company directly.
Corporate tax
0% on foreign income
Territorial system: foreign-sourced income is exempt, while local Panama income is taxed at 25%. There is no inheritance, gift or capital tax.
Minimum capital
no minimum
There is no minimum capital and nothing needs to be paid up front. The typical authorised capital is US$10,000 divided into shares, but paying it in is not required.
Annual obligations
Franchise tax, bookkeeping and UBO
The annual Tasa Unica franchise tax of US$300, agent renewal, bookkeeping with records kept for 5 years, and up-to-date beneficial owner details.
The final cost depends on the package you choose, the registered agent and support services, and any additional project tasks.
Information current as of July 2026.
Service packages
Panama company registration cost
From basic registration of a Panama S.A. to a full package with annual maintenance and banking support.
Start
Basic S.A. registration
US$ 1,450
S.A. registration
Company name check and reservation
Preparation of the articles of incorporation (Pacto Social)
Government fee payment and notarisation
Registration with the Public Registry (Registro Publico) and Certificate of Incorporation
Appointment of a registered agent (attorney) and filing of beneficial owner (UBO) details
Recommended Request a quote
Corporate
Annual maintenance included
US$ 2,300
Everything in Start, plus:
Registered agent (attorney) services for 1 year
Registered address in Panama for 1 year
Receipt and forwarding of legal correspondence
Reminders of annual obligations: the Tasa Unica franchise tax, bookkeeping, beneficial owner registry updates, and renewal of agent and address services
Full service
Director, shareholder and documents
US$ 3,450
To launch an S.A. with nominee director or shareholder services, a full document set, and a banking solution selected for you.
Everything in Corporate, plus:
Nominee director or shareholder services for 1 year
Document preparation: power of attorney (Poder), nominee service declaration, and apostille of the set
Consultation on payment solutions and bank selection
Important: we advise on choosing a bank or payment provider and help you prepare your application, but we cannot guarantee account opening. The final decision always rests with the bank or payment provider after reviewing the company and its beneficial owners.
Use cases and advantages
What Panama works best for
Panama is chosen by entrepreneurs and groups who need a US dollar jurisdiction with no exchange controls, territorial taxation and a time-tested corporate structure for international trade, holding, asset ownership and doing business with Latin America.
Business scenarios it suits
Holding and asset ownership
Hold a group's shares, equity stakes and overseas property through a Panama S.A. Foreign-sourced holding income is not taxed in Panama.
International trade and logistics
Panama sits at the crossroads of two oceans and is a major re-export hub. A convenient base for cross-border trade, consulting and reaching the North and South American markets.
E-commerce and digital business
A structure for online stores, SaaS and IT services with an international audience, and for holding intellectual property and licences.
Asset protection and succession planning
Ring-fence assets through a corporation or a private foundation (Fundacion de Interes Privado), a Panama tool for succession and wealth protection with a private beneficial owner register.
Why businesses choose Panama
Territorial taxation
Foreign income is not taxed in Panama. There is no inheritance, gift or worldwide capital tax. Local Panama income is taxed at 25%.
A US dollar economy
The US dollar is the official currency, with no exchange controls or limits on capital movement. Settlements and accounts run directly in USD, with no currency risk.
Proven corporate law
Law 32 of 1927 is one of the oldest corporate systems in the world. There are no minimum capital requirements and no residency conditions for directors or shareholders.
An improved reputation
Panama was removed from the FATF grey list in 2023 and from the EU high-risk list in 2025, which makes working with banks and payment providers easier.
Registration requirements
Requirements for registering a company in Panama
Registering a Panama S.A. requires the participants' documents and a decision on the company structure. Every step runs remotely through a registered agent (attorney) once the initial checks are complete.
What the client prepares
- Passport of each director and shareholder
- Proof of residential address (no older than 3 months)
- Description of the planned business activity
- Client geography and expected turnover
- 3 proposed company names
The exact document set may vary depending on the ownership structure, the participants' residency and the registered agent's requirements.
01
Directors
A minimum of three directors, individuals of any nationality and residency. There is no Panama-resident director requirement. Their details are filed with the Public Registry on registration. Nominee director services are available if needed.
02
Shareholders and owners
From one shareholder, an individual or corporate entity of any nationality. Beneficial owner details are filed with the private register (UBO) under Law 129 of 2020, maintained by the agent. The data is confidential and available only to the competent authorities.
03
Registered agent
Required by law: a Panama attorney or law firm acting as agent. A non-resident cannot register the company directly. Appointed on registration and renewed annually, and we provide this.
04
Registered address
A registered address in Panama through the registered agent, for official correspondence. Included in the package.
05
Capital and shares
There is no minimum capital and nothing needs to be paid up front. The typical authorised capital is US$10,000 divided into shares. The annual Tasa Unica franchise tax of US$300 is fixed and does not depend on the capital amount.
Tax and reporting
Company tax and reporting in Panama
In Panama foreign income is exempt, but bookkeeping and annual procedures are mandatory. The final regime depends on the income source: local profit is taxed at 25%, while foreign profit is exempt. What matters most is timely filing and proper bookkeeping.
Tax on foreign income
0%
on foreign-sourced profit under the territorial principle
Local income
25%
flat rate on Panama-sourced income, if any
Tax return
once a year
filed within 90 days of the financial year end
Record keeping
5 years
statutory retention period for accounting records
How tax and status are determined
The territorial principle
A Panama company pays no tax on income earned outside Panama. Only locally sourced profit is taxed, at 25%.
Bookkeeping and the beneficial owner register
Under Law 52 of 2016 the company keeps accounting records and passes them to the agent. Beneficial owner details are filed with the private register under Law 129 of 2020. Panama has no separate economic substance regime like the BVI or Seychelles.
Tax in your country of residence
The Panama exemption on foreign income does not remove your tax obligations where you are resident. Panama takes part in automatic exchange (CRS), and CFC and anti-offshore rules may apply, so assess this in advance.
What the company must do each year
Keep accounting records and retain documents for at least 5 years
File an annual tax return with the DGI
Provide accounting records to the registered agent on request
Pay the annual Tasa Unica franchise tax of US$300 and the agent renewal
Update beneficial owner details in the register when they change
For a Panama company operating solely abroad, there is no mandatory audit or public financial reporting. The exemption on foreign income does not remove tax obligations in your country of residence. We recommend assessing the CFC implications in advance.
Information current as of July 2026
Banking solutions
Opening a bank account for a Panama company
The banking route depends on the company's activity, payment geography and the profile of its beneficial owners. Panama is a US dollar jurisdiction with no exchange controls, so we consider local Panama banks, international EMIs, and banks in financial centres.
Local and overseas banks
For projects with a clear structure and verifiable activity, we source Panama banks for local operations and banks in Singapore, Hong Kong and the EU for international settlements.
- Corporate account in USD
- International transfers
- Multi-currency operations
Finextwin support
Compliance preparation
We prepare the company profile before applying. Panama companies face enhanced KYC at overseas banks, so we work through the structure and activity in advance to meet the bank's requirements.
- Business description
- Payment structure
- Contracts and counterparties
Not sure which banking route fits your project?
We will assess the activity, payment geography and bank requirements before you apply.
Registration process
How company registration in Panama works
The process covers initial checks, name reservation, notarisation, filing through the registered agent (attorney), and handover of the ready company to the client. Every step runs remotely.
01
Name check and reservation
What happens We run initial checks on the participants and activity and reserve the company name with the registry.
From the client Participants' documents, activity description and name options.
Result Name approved and reserved.
02
Preparation and notarisation
What happens We prepare the articles of incorporation (Pacto Social), director consents and forms, and notarise the documents for filing through the agent.
From the client Confirmation of details and signing of the required forms.
Result The set is ready to file.
03
S.A. registration
What happens As the registered agent (attorney), we file the documents with the Public Registry (Registro Publico) and pay the government fee, and the company is entered on the register.
From the client Further involvement is usually not required unless clarifications are requested.
Result The company is registered and the Certificate of Incorporation is issued.
04
Beneficial owner register and handover
What happens We set up the director and shareholder registers, file beneficial owner details with the private register (UBO), assemble the corporate set and explain the annual obligations.
From the client Confirmation of receipt of the documents and corporate data.
Result A ready Panama S.A. with completed registers and a full set of documents.
What documents you receive
Certificate of Incorporation Certificate of registration issued by the Public Registry (Registro Publico).
Articles of incorporation The Pacto Social, notarised and filed on registration.
Share certificate and registers Share certificate, shareholder register and director register.
Corporate set Initial resolutions, powers of attorney (Poder) and forms per the chosen package.
The format of the set and any need for originals, apostille or translation depend on the client's needs and the chosen package.
Limitations and alternatives
When Panama is not the right fit and what to choose instead
Panama is a solid territorial jurisdiction, but it does not fit every case. Below are the honest limitations and the jurisdictions that address them.
When another jurisdiction makes more sense
You need tier-one banks
Panama remains on the EU tax list, so major tier-one banks apply enhanced compliance and some counterparties are wary of the structure.
Access to tax treaties
Panama's tax treaty network is small, so for a number of countries income may face withholding at source with no relief.
Real activity and hiring
For an operating business with an office and staff in another country, a Panama non-resident structure loses out to jurisdictions with real substance.
Working inside the EU market
If you need to work with EU counterparties, a VAT number and access to EU directives, a Panama company will not do.
What to consider instead of Panama
Singapore Tier-one banks, a wide tax treaty network and a reputation free of offshore lists. Territorial tax and a solid gateway into Asia.
Belize A simpler and cheaper offshore than Panama: fast registration, a single director and minimal formalities for holding and trade.
British Virgin Islands A reputable offshore for holdings, deals and asset ownership. English law and wider bank recognition than Panama.
St Vincent and the Grenadines An affordable Caribbean offshore under English law. A single director, strong confidentiality and fast registration for trading and holding.
Results
Real cases from our clients
Every project is different - we tailor the solution to the specific task, jurisdiction and business model.
Company registration
Panama A Panama S.A. for international trade
The client shipped goods from Asia to resellers in Latin America, with everything settled in dollars. He used to work through a company in another country, but kept losing money on conversion and fielding extra bank questions on every payment. He wanted a dollar structure closer to the region, with suppliers and buyers in the same currency zone.
Solution We registered a Panama S.A. for trading, helped open a multi-currency account and set up settlements directly in USD. We explained that foreign income is not taxed in Panama and that tax is assessed where he is resident.
from 6 days registration time
0% tax on foreign income
❝
What annoyed me most was losing money on conversion, like someone was skimming a bit every time. Now it's all in dollars with both the supplier and the client, and it's off my mind. They handled almost everything without me, I just sent over scans a couple of times.
Company registration
Panama A Panama S.A. as a holding for foreign assets
The client held stakes in two companies abroad plus property, all in different names and different countries. He wanted to consolidate ownership into a single holding structure that would be easier to manage and pass on. He was looking at a neutral jurisdiction that does not tax foreign dividends.
Solution We registered a Panama S.A. as a holding, helped transfer the stakes to the company and worked through the ownership structure. We flagged upfront that the Panama exemption does not remove the tax he owes where he lives.
from 7 days registration time
0% tax on foreign dividends
❝
Everything had been scattered for years and I never got round to sorting it. This time they finally put one company on top and I could see the whole picture. I liked that they were upfront about the tax back home, not once it was too late to change anything.
Company registration
Panama A Panama S.A. for asset protection
The client wanted to separate personal savings from the operating business he ran in his home country. The business carried risk, and he worried that a single dispute could put everything on the line at once. He was after a calm tool to ring-fence capital and think through succession at the same time.
Solution We registered a Panama S.A. and worked through pairing it with a private foundation (Fundacion) for succession. We explained that this is protection for the future, not a way to dodge obligations, and set the structure up transparently.
from 8 days registration time
Foundation ring-fencing and succession
❝
It's not about hiding from anyone, I just didn't want everything in one basket. They laid out clearly how a company differs from a foundation and what each is for. It was all handled calmly, no promises of the earth, and that's what won me over to be honest.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
If you cannot find the answer here, leave a request and we will look at your situation personally.
Book a consultationRegistering the Panama S.A. itself usually takes 5 to 8 working days once the document set is ready and the checks are complete. Notarising the incorporation documents adds a little time, as it is a mandatory step in Panama. The longest part is not registration but account opening: this is a separate stage that does not count towards the incorporation timeline. Realistically, allow a few weeks for a full launch with a working account.
No, you do not need to travel to Panama. A registered agent (attorney) handles the registration under your power of attorney, and all you provide are scans of your documents and signed forms. The whole process runs remotely. A bank may occasionally ask for your presence at the account-opening stage, but even that is usually handled remotely or by video call.
Not quite. Panama applies a territorial principle: foreign-sourced income is exempt, while Panama-sourced profit is taxed at 25%. For most non-resident companies that operate only outside Panama, the local corporate tax is indeed zero. But this does not remove your tax obligations where you are tax resident, as Panama takes part in automatic exchange of information.
Shareholder and director details are not published openly, and beneficial owner information is filed with a closed register maintained by the agent. Only the competent authorities can access it, through a set procedure. That said, the full anonymity of the past is gone: Panama takes part in tax information exchange, so data may be shared with your country of residence under CRS.
Panama has no separate economic substance regime with an annual declaration, as the BVI or Seychelles do. Taxation works by income source, not by a presence test. This makes life simpler: you do not need to keep an office or staff in Panama to use the territorial regime. But if you run real activity in another country, it is worth checking in advance whether the company creates a taxable presence there.
There is no minimum capital requirement and nothing needs to be paid up front. The authorised capital of a Panama S.A. is typically stated as US$10,000 divided into shares, but this is a nominal figure and does not actually have to be paid in. The annual Tasa Unica franchise tax is US$300 and does not depend on the capital amount.
No, and we say so honestly from the start. The final decision always rests with the bank or payment provider after reviewing the company and its beneficial owners, and we cannot influence it. What we do is prepare the company profile in advance to match a specific bank's requirements, choose a realistic route and support you through the application. Panama structures go through enhanced compliance, so good preparation significantly improves the odds.
A Panama company keeps accounting records and retains them for at least 5 years, providing them to the registered agent. Once a year it pays the Tasa Unica franchise tax of US$300 and renews the agent and registered address services. If the company has Panama-sourced income, a tax return is filed. Public financial reporting and a mandatory audit are not required for non-resident companies.
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