# When can you apply?

It depends on your family ties and your nationality of birth. You must already hold permanent residency: the petition asks for your permanent residency card.

[Free consultation](/contact/)

How many consecutive years have you lived in Panama as a resident? Do you have a Panamanian spouse, or children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent? Are you a national by birth of Spain or a Latin American country? 

This is guidance, not a decision. Absences, the type of residency you held and your documents all matter; we review your case before filing.

## The three routes in the Constitution

Article 10 sets out three ways to apply. Everything else, including the documents and the exam, follows from it.

### Five years of residency

Foreigners with five consecutive years of residency in Panama, who are of legal age, declare their wish to naturalize, expressly renounce their nationality and prove Spanish and basic knowledge of Panama’s geography, history and political organization.

Source: [Constitution of the Republic of Panama, article 10, numeral 1](https://s3-legispan.asamblea.gob.pa/legispan/NORMAS/2000/2004/TEXTO%20UNICO/Administrador%20Legispan_25176_2004_11_15_ASAMBLEA%20LEGISLATIVA_1.pdf)

### Three years with Panamanian family

Foreigners with three consecutive years of residency who have children born in Panama to a Panamanian father or mother, or a Panamanian spouse, under the same declaration and proof.

Source: [Constitution of the Republic of Panama, article 10, numeral 2](https://s3-legispan.asamblea.gob.pa/legispan/NORMAS/2000/2004/TEXTO%20UNICO/Administrador%20Legispan_25176_2004_11_15_ASAMBLEA%20LEGISLATIVA_1.pdf)

### Spain and Latin America (reciprocity)

Nationals by birth of Spain or a Latin American state, if they meet the same requirements their own country asks of Panamanians to naturalize.

Source: [Constitution of the Republic of Panama, article 10, numeral 3](https://s3-legispan.asamblea.gob.pa/legispan/NORMAS/2000/2004/TEXTO%20UNICO/Administrador%20Legispan_25176_2004_11_15_ASAMBLEA%20LEGISLATIVA_1.pdf)

## Thinking about Panamanian citizenship?

Book a free 15-minute call. We will tell you which route applies and when you can file.

[Book your free call](/contact/)[Message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/50761970238?text=Hi%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20consultation%20about%20Panamanian%20citizenship%20(from%20becomepanamanian.com).)