Panama is known for the Panama Canal, international trade and a developed services sector. A local company remains a practical structure for regional and international business and can be used for trade, holding activities, shipping, investment and asset ownership.

Registration of an SA or SRL is organised through a resident agent. We define the owners, directors, contracts and payment countries in advance, then calculate annual maintenance and corporate account options.


Official name:Republic of Panama
Area:77,000 sq. km.
Population:current figures are published by official statistics
Capital:Panama
Official language:Spanish, English
Currency:balboa (PAB) and US dollar (USD)


Panama occupies a long, narrow isthmus between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and its geographic position has made it an important trade route for centuries. In the early sixteenth century, Spanish expeditions crossed the isthmus in search of a sea passage between the oceans. Panama City, founded in 1519, became a major transit point for goods and precious metals moving from the Pacific coast of South America to Spain.

Advantages of a company in Panama:
  • Panama has been used as an international corporate and offshore centre for more than 75 years.
  • Non-resident companies have historically benefited from Panama’s territorial tax system.
  • Information on owners, shareholders and directors is handled under Panama’s corporate and beneficial-ownership rules.
Company legislation
  • General Corporation Law / Law 32, as amended;
  • Law Regulating Enterprises of Limited Liabilty No. 24.
Company type Sociedad Anónima, SRL and other company forms available under Panamanian law.
Permitted activities Any activity not prohibited by law.
Restricted activities
  • Doing business with residents of Panama, except for firms providing legal, accounting, banking, consulting and other professional services, including administration of trusts and foundations.
  • Owning real estate in the jurisdiction. Banking, insurance and forwarding activities require the relevant licences and permits.
Taxation The tax result is calculated under current Panamanian rules, taking account of the territorial principle and the actual source of income.
Annual fees Tasa única, resident agent, Registry and accounting costs are paid according to current official rates and the scope of services.
Foreign exchange controls No.
Double taxation treaties No.
Time and conditions for registering a new company 10 days.
Company name requirements Any name not already registered may be used, subject to the applicable naming rules.
Share capital For an SA, the capital structure is set in the pacto social. An authorised capital may be stated if preferred, but there is no single fixed minimum suitable for every project.
Proposed share capital Capital is selected according to the owners, share classes and planned transactions.
Shares A Panamanian corporation may use registered shares. Bearer shares are permitted only under the mandatory custody regime with an authorised custodian. For international business and bank KYC, we normally recommend registered shares.
Shareholders Minimum one.
Directors
- number
- requirements
- powers
Three directors.
There are no nationality or citizenship requirements.
Meeting requirements
- directors
- shareholders		 There is no requirement to hold directors’ or shareholders’ meetings.
Registered office Required.
Secretary
- number
- requirements
- powers		 No specific requirements.
Registered agent
 One.
Requirement
- accounting records
- annual return
No.
No.
No.
Confidential information Information on owners, directors and shareholders.

What changed in 2026 for company registration in Panama

In 2026, a company in Panama can be used for international trade, holding activities, shipping, investment and asset ownership. New projects use current forms such as Sociedad Anónima, SRL and other structures registered with the Registro Público. The tax result is calculated under the territorial principle and according to the actual source of income.

Before registration, we recommend defining the resident agent, directors and owners, the contract-signing process and the countries involved in payments. The same information is needed for accounting records and preparation of the banking file.

What activities is a company in Panama suitable for

A ready-made company registered in Panama or Panama SA registration under your own name is suitable for: international trade, holding structures, shipping, investment structures, asset ownership and regional business.

Company registration: Panama SA and opening a bank account

First, we decide who will be the owner and director, the activities and company address, then prepare the documents for Panama SA registration. After company registration, we organise annual administration and accounting. To open a bank account or an account with a European payment system / EMI, we support preparation of contracts, service descriptions and information about expected payment countries.

A bank account for a company in Panama can be opened with a bank in a suitable jurisdiction, while an IBAN EUR/SEPA account can be opened with a European payment system / EMI. The application can be prepared remotely; when opening the account, we will propose bank account options for planned payments and turnover.

Key information about Panama SA

  • Company form:Sociedad Anónima, Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, foreign branch and Private Interest Foundation
  • Taxes:taxes and reporting depend on the source of income and actual activity, so the calculation is based on the specific contracts and payment flow
  • Bank account:Panamanian or international bank; an EMI can be an additional option for EUR/SEPA.
  • Cost:Basic company registration price includes the resident agent, SA/SRL registration, annual administration and the account.
Additional information about a company in Panama 2026

Where to start to open a new company in Panama

Panama is suitable when an international company has clear contracts and identifiable sources of income. We can compare an SA and SRL, calculate annual maintenance and propose an account-opening approach for your business currencies.

Get a free consultation and commercial proposal for a company in Panama

Choose a jurisdiction for company registration

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