Panama
Company registration
A versatile solution for international operations with confidentiality and tax advantages
Registration timeframe: 4–6 days
Full set of documents
Remote process
Panama
Company registration
A versatile solution for international operations with confidentiality and tax advantages
Registration timeframe: 4–6 days
Full set of documents
Remote process
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We will find the best solution for you
We will find the best solution for you
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Start your company in Panama
Fill out the short form
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We will contact you as soon as possible
Company registration in Panama
Fill out the simple form
We will contact you as soon as possible
We will contact you as soon as possible
Advantages of a Panama company
Taxes
No tax on foreign income
Cost
Low cost of company registration and maintenance
Fast registration
Company set up takes 6 working days remote
Data protection
Owner information is not published in the register
Choose your plan
Incorporation
✔ Company name reservation
✔ Preparation of the Articles of Incorporation
✔ Appointment of directors (minimum 3)
✔ Payment of government fees in Panama
✔ Submission of documents to the Public Registry of Panama
✔ Obtaining a Certificate of Registration
✔ Appointment of an approved registered agent
✔ Company registration documents
in digital form
_________________________________________
Legal address
✔ Registered legal address in Panama
for 1 year
✔ Registered agent services for 1 year
_________________________________________
Director / Shareholder
✔ Nominee director / shareholder services for 1 year
✔ Preparation of supporting documents
(Power of Attorney / Trust Declaration)
✔ Company name reservation
✔ Preparation of the Articles of Incorporation
✔ Appointment of directors (minimum 3)
✔ Payment of government fees in Panama
✔ Submission of documents to the Public Registry of Panama
✔ Obtaining a Certificate of Registration
✔ Appointment of an approved registered agent
✔ Company registration documents
in digital form
_________________________________________
Legal address
✔ Registered legal address in Panama
for 1 year
✔ Registered agent services for 1 year
_________________________________________
Director / Shareholder
✔ Nominee director / shareholder services for 1 year
✔ Preparation of supporting documents
(Power of Attorney / Trust Declaration)
Incorporation
✔ Company name reservation
✔ Preparation of the Articles of Incorporation
✔ Appointment of directors (minimum 3)
✔ Payment of government fees in Panama
✔ Submission of documents to the Public Registry of Panama
✔ Obtaining a Certificate of Registration
✔ Appointment of an approved registered agent
✔ Company registration documents
in digital form
_________________________________________
Legal address
✔ Registered legal address in Panama
for 1 year
✔ Registered agent services for 1 year
_________________________________________
Director / Shareholder
✔ Nominee director / shareholder services for 1 year
✔ Preparation of supporting documents
(Power of Attorney / Trust Declaration)
✔ Company name reservation
✔ Preparation of the Articles of Incorporation
✔ Appointment of directors (minimum 3)
✔ Payment of government fees in Panama
✔ Submission of documents to the Public Registry of Panama
✔ Obtaining a Certificate of Registration
✔ Appointment of an approved registered agent
✔ Company registration documents
in digital form
_________________________________________
Legal address
✔ Registered legal address in Panama
for 1 year
✔ Registered agent services for 1 year
_________________________________________
Director / Shareholder
✔ Nominee director / shareholder services for 1 year
✔ Preparation of supporting documents
(Power of Attorney / Trust Declaration)
Incorporation
✔ Company name reservation
✔ Preparation of the Articles of Incorporation
✔ Appointment of directors (minimum 3)
✔ Payment of government fees in Panama
✔ Submission of documents to the Public Registry of Panama
✔ Obtaining a Certificate of Registration
✔ Appointment of an approved registered agent
✔ Company registration documents
in digital form
_________________________________________
Legal address
✔ Registered legal address in Panama
for 1 year
✔ Registered agent services for 1 year
_________________________________________
Director / Shareholder
✔ Nominee director / shareholder services for 1 year
✔ Preparation of supporting documents
(Power of Attorney / Trust Declaration)
✔ Company name reservation
✔ Preparation of the Articles of Incorporation
✔ Appointment of directors (minimum 3)
✔ Payment of government fees in Panama
✔ Submission of documents to the Public Registry of Panama
✔ Obtaining a Certificate of Registration
✔ Appointment of an approved registered agent
✔ Company registration documents
in digital form
_________________________________________
Legal address
✔ Registered legal address in Panama
for 1 year
✔ Registered agent services for 1 year
_________________________________________
Director / Shareholder
✔ Nominee director / shareholder services for 1 year
✔ Preparation of supporting documents
(Power of Attorney / Trust Declaration)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before launching your business in Panama
Yes, foreign nationals can own 100% of a company. Non-residents can be directors, shareholders, and beneficiaries.
The standard share capital is 10,000 USD, but it is not mandatory to pay. It is a nominal amount declared in the Articles.
A Panamanian company does not pay taxes on income earned outside of Panama. This makes the jurisdiction attractive for international business.
Three directors are required to form the Board of Directors, which acts as the executive body managing the company. They can be either individuals or legal entities, with no nationality or residency restrictions – directors can be residents of any country.
Typically, the board of directors includes:
Typically, the board of directors includes:
- President – the main executive director of the company;
- Secretary – responsible for internal documents, protocols, and corporate reporting;
- Treasurer – oversees the company's financial matters.
Yes, using nominee directors and shareholders is a widespread and fully legal practice in Panama. At the client’s request, we provide nominee services, including all necessary documentation such as a Power of Attorney and a Declaration of Trust, confirming that control remains with the actual owner (beneficiary).
Panama is popular for ship ownership, holding companies, investment business, IT, cryptocurrency, and online services.
Jurisdiction overview: Panama
Panama is one of the most in-demand jurisdictions for international business structuring, asset holding, and cross-border operations. The country combines a territorial tax system, flexible corporate legislation, and a well-developed infrastructure of legal and corporate services, making it attractive for international projects when compliance is properly structured.
Company registration in Panama is widely used for international trade, holding structures, IP ownership, contract-based business models, foreign real estate ownership, as well as settlement and payment structures outside Panama. Where income is generated outside the territory of Panama, corporate profits are generally not subject to Panamanian corporate income tax, which is one of the key advantages of this jurisdiction.
The most common and legally recognized corporate form is Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), governed by Panamanian corporate law and registered through the Registro Público de Panamá (Public Registry). In international practice, such entities are often informally referred to as “international companies”; however, the legally correct term in Panama is S.A., not IBC.
A Panamanian company can be incorporated fully remotely, with 100% foreign ownership permitted. A mandatory requirement is the appointment of a Resident Agent – a licensed Panamanian attorney or law firm. All corporate documents are filed and maintained through the Public Registry, ensuring the legal validity and enforceability of the corporate structure.
It is important to note that despite the territorial tax regime, Panama is a compliance-oriented jurisdiction. Banks and payment institutions apply enhanced KYC/AML requirements, closely reviewing ownership structures, sources of funds, and the economic substance of operations. As a result, successful bank account opening and long-term operation require a well-prepared corporate and operational model from the outset.
Panama remains an effective and legitimate jurisdiction for international business, holding and contractual structures, provided that registration, compliance, and banking are handled professionally.
Company registration in Panama is widely used for international trade, holding structures, IP ownership, contract-based business models, foreign real estate ownership, as well as settlement and payment structures outside Panama. Where income is generated outside the territory of Panama, corporate profits are generally not subject to Panamanian corporate income tax, which is one of the key advantages of this jurisdiction.
The most common and legally recognized corporate form is Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), governed by Panamanian corporate law and registered through the Registro Público de Panamá (Public Registry). In international practice, such entities are often informally referred to as “international companies”; however, the legally correct term in Panama is S.A., not IBC.
A Panamanian company can be incorporated fully remotely, with 100% foreign ownership permitted. A mandatory requirement is the appointment of a Resident Agent – a licensed Panamanian attorney or law firm. All corporate documents are filed and maintained through the Public Registry, ensuring the legal validity and enforceability of the corporate structure.
It is important to note that despite the territorial tax regime, Panama is a compliance-oriented jurisdiction. Banks and payment institutions apply enhanced KYC/AML requirements, closely reviewing ownership structures, sources of funds, and the economic substance of operations. As a result, successful bank account opening and long-term operation require a well-prepared corporate and operational model from the outset.
Panama remains an effective and legitimate jurisdiction for international business, holding and contractual structures, provided that registration, compliance, and banking are handled professionally.
Legal system: civil law (continental law). Corporate regulation is carried out through the Public Registry of Panama, which ensures legal certainty, transparency, and predictability of corporate procedures for international business.
Currency: United States Dollar (USD) – the official legal tender. The use of USD significantly reduces foreign exchange risks and simplifies international settlements, banking operations, and payment infrastructure.
Taxation model: territorial taxation principle. The source of income is the key determining factor – profits generated outside Panama are generally not subject to Panamanian taxation, provided the structure is properly established and substantiated.
Corporate structure: Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), with ordinary and/or preferred shares. This structure allows flexible allocation of rights, economic interests, and corporate governance, making it suitable for holding, trading, and contractual business models.
Reporting and compliance: financial statements are not publicly filed; however, proper accounting records and corporate documentation must be maintained and retained. This is critical for banks, auditors, and tax compliance purposes.
Confidentiality: directors and officers are typically disclosed in the public registry, while shareholder information may remain non-public. At the same time, beneficial owners must be disclosed to banks and payment providers under KYC/AML requirements.
Regulators and authorities:
Currency: United States Dollar (USD) – the official legal tender. The use of USD significantly reduces foreign exchange risks and simplifies international settlements, banking operations, and payment infrastructure.
Taxation model: territorial taxation principle. The source of income is the key determining factor – profits generated outside Panama are generally not subject to Panamanian taxation, provided the structure is properly established and substantiated.
Corporate structure: Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), with ordinary and/or preferred shares. This structure allows flexible allocation of rights, economic interests, and corporate governance, making it suitable for holding, trading, and contractual business models.
Reporting and compliance: financial statements are not publicly filed; however, proper accounting records and corporate documentation must be maintained and retained. This is critical for banks, auditors, and tax compliance purposes.
Confidentiality: directors and officers are typically disclosed in the public registry, while shareholder information may remain non-public. At the same time, beneficial owners must be disclosed to banks and payment providers under KYC/AML requirements.
Regulators and authorities:
- Registro Público de Panamá – corporate registration and public records;
- Dirección General de Ingresos (DGI) – tax authority.
- Additional compliance requirements are commonly imposed by banks and corporate service providers.
Available corporate form: Sociedad Anónima (S.A.)
The Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) is the most widely used and versatile corporate structure in Panama for international projects. It is commonly applied for trading operations, holding structures, asset ownership, contract-based business, and IP structures, provided that rights allocation and compliance logic are properly established.
Who can be a founder (shareholder)
The Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) is the most widely used and versatile corporate structure in Panama for international projects. It is commonly applied for trading operations, holding structures, asset ownership, contract-based business, and IP structures, provided that rights allocation and compliance logic are properly established.
Who can be a founder (shareholder)
- Individuals and legal entities from any country worldwide (non-residents are allowed).
- Minimum one shareholder – a single-owner structure is permitted.
- No citizenship or tax residency requirements apply.
- Minimum three directors – a standard statutory requirement for Panamanian S.A.
- Appointment of corporate officers: President / Secretary / Treasurer
- (roles may be combined depending on the structure and corporate service provider).
- Corporate governance is formalized through resolutions, registers, and constitutional documents, filed with the Public Registry of Panama.
- Resident Agent – a licensed Panamanian attorney or law firm (mandatory by law).
- Registered office address in Panama – typically provided by the Resident Agent.
- Authorized share capital – a standard structure is commonly used (e.g., 10,000 no-par-value shares). Paid-in capital is usually not required, though banks may request proof of financial capacity.
- KYC / AML checks by the agent and the bank: passports, proof of address, ownership structure, beneficial owners, source of funds, and a clear business model.
Panama applies the territorial tax system, meaning that a company’s tax obligations depend on whether the income is recognized as Panamanian-source income. Income generated outside Panama, provided the structure is properly set up and the business logic is substantiated, is generally not subject to Panamanian corporate income tax.
Corporate Income Tax
For Panamanian companies, the primary focus is on administrative and compliance requirements, rather than public financial disclosure:
Corporate Income Tax
- Corporate income tax applies to profits derived from activities carried out in Panama or qualified as Panamanian-source income.
- Foreign-source income, under the classic territorial model, is not subject to Panamanian corporate income tax.
- Banks and service providers assess not only the formal “outside Panama” status, but also the economic substance of the business: management, contract execution, clients, and operational reality.
- The applicability of withholding tax depends on the type of income and its classification (local vs. foreign source).
- Dividend taxation is determined by the business model and income structure.
- For accurate tax planning, a tailored tax memo is typically prepared for the specific structure (trading, services, holding, IP).
For Panamanian companies, the primary focus is on administrative and compliance requirements, rather than public financial disclosure:
- Annual government fee (Tasa Única / franchise tax) – mandatory to maintain the company in good standing.
- Ongoing maintenance of a Resident Agent and a registered legal address in Panama.
- Keeping accounting records and supporting documentation, to be provided upon request to banks, regulators, or competent authorities.
- If the company conducts taxable activities in Panama, registration and tax reporting for applicable taxes and withholdings are required.
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- +1 814 300 8857
- info@finextwin.com
- 367-375 Queen's Road Central,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Contact us
- +1 814 300 8857
- info@finextwin.com
- 367-375 Queen's Road Central,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
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