Panamanian nationality · Carta de naturaleza

# How to become a Panamanian citizen

Foreigners become Panamanian by naturalization under article 10 of the Constitution. The usual path is five consecutive years of residency (three if you have a Panamanian spouse or children), Spanish, a basic knowledge exam and a written renunciation of your current nationality. Panama does not sell citizenship.

[Free consultation](/contact/)

- 5 years consecutive residency 
- 3 years with Panamanian spouse or children 
- Exam Spanish, history, geography, civics 
- No citizenship-by-investment program 

[National Immigration Service, requirements for the Carta de Naturaleza (naturalization certificate)](https://www.migracion.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/REQUISITOS-DE-NATURALIZACION-ACTUALIZADO.pdf) · October 26, 2026

## When can you apply?

Answer three questions and see which route of article 10 applies to you and when.

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? 

## Key takeaways

- Naturalization is set by article 10 of the Constitution. Panama does not sell citizenship.

- Immigration’s checklist requires your permanent-resident card. The Constitution asks for five consecutive years of residency, or three with a Panamanian spouse or children.

- You prove Spanish and basic knowledge of Panama in an exam run by the Electoral Tribunal (Decree 13 of 2025).

- You sign an express renunciation of your current nationality.

- The official checklist has fourteen items, filed through a Panamanian lawyer.

## The three routes in the Constitution

### [Five years of residency](/eligibility/)

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)

- 5 years consecutive residency 

- 3 years with Panamanian spouse or children 

## There is no citizenship by investment

You may read that Panama offers a passport for an investment. It does not. Investment can give you residency, and residency can lead, years later, to naturalization under article 10. The only shortcut the Constitution recognizes is reciprocity for nationals of Spain and Latin America.

[Find your route and your dateWhich of the three constitutional routes applies to you and when you can file.](/eligibility/)[Get the fourteen-item checklistEvery document on the official list, explained in plain English.](/requirements/)[Prepare for the examWhat the knowledge exam covers and who is exempt.](/exam/)[Plan your timelineFrom the petition to the naturalization certificate.](/process/)[Read the answersThe renunciation, the exam, the rules for Spaniards and Latin Americans, and losing nationality.](/faq/)

## How we work with you

### A signed contract

### An invoice for every expense

### Licensed attorneys

[Official sources](/about/) · October 26, 2026

## 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).)