Dmitri Mihhailov
General Partner
Leads Prifinance's corporate practice and oversees client engagements, with senior expertise in international company structuring and bank-account setup.
Register a company in Panama, the original territorial.
Set up a Panamanian S.A. remotely, under a statute running since 1927, in the hemisphere's banking hub where the US dollar is legal tender. Panama wrote the territorial playbook: only local income is taxed, foreign earnings stay outside the net entirely. Add the world's largest ship registry, the Colón Free Zone and Latin America's easiest residency, and the canal country still earns its reputation.A Panamanian S.A. set up remotely in 3-5 days: the original territorial system, US dollar as legal tender, real local banks, and the region's easiest residency next door.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served
Updated
Panama · at a glance
Legal formS.A. · Law 32 of 1927
Time to set up3-5 business days
Tax on foreign income0% - territorial
CurrencyUS dollar - legal tender
Min. capitalNo paid-in requirement
Remote setupYes - via resident agent
4.7
★★★★★
powered by Google
Chat online with a lawyer - a lawyer answers right now. Free review of your case.
Panama in brief
A century of corporate craft between two oceans.
Panama built its corporate industry around the canal a hundred years ago and never stopped: Law 32 of 1927 still governs the S.A., the balboa is pegged one-to-one to the US dollar - which circulates as legal tender - and Panama City hosts the deepest banking sector between Mexico and Brazil. The ship registry is the largest flag state on earth, and the Colón Free Zone remains the Americas' greatest re-export marketplace.
Taxation is territorial at the root: Panama taxes only Panama-source income, so an S.A. trading abroad owes nothing locally and files nothing on those earnings - just a flat $300 annual franchise tax. Shareholders stay off any public register, while the three directors are public, a quirk we solve with professional nominees where privacy matters. Since the 2016 headlines Panama has rebuilt its compliance frame (off the FATF grey list since 2023, with accounting records now lodged with the resident agent) and paired it all with the Friendly Nations visa, the region's most practical route from company to residency.
Panama built its corporate industry around the canal a century ago: Law 32 since 1927, the dollar as legal tender, the hemisphere's deepest banking sector, the world's largest ship registry and the Colón Free Zone.
Territorial at the root: only Panama-source income is taxed; foreign earnings stay outside with no filings - just $300 franchise tax a year. Shareholders private, directors public (nominees solve it), compliance rebuilt since 2016.
Packages & pricing
Panama company registration - cost & packages.
01 - S.A. · SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
Company
from$2,400USD · all-in
Remote incorporation of a Panamanian S.A. - notarised articles, Public Registry filing, franchise tax and the first year of the resident agent and registered office included.
✓Company name check & reservation✓Notarised articles & Public Registry filing✓First-year franchise tax included✓Resident agent & office - first year✓Corporate documents with apostille✓Free pre-incorporation consultation
Optional add-ons: nominee directors - from $600/year · private interest foundation - from $2,900 · annual renewal - from $1,500/year.Add-ons: nominee directors from $600/year · foundation from $2,900 · renewal from $1,500/year.
Start with Company →02 - S.A. · SOCIEDAD ANÓNIMA
Most popularCompany + Bank Account
from$4,100USD · all-in
A working Panamanian S.A. with a bank or fintech account - Panama's strong local banks or international EMIs, USD-native, cards and online banking.
✓Everything in Company✓Account with a Panamanian bank or EMI - USD multi-currency✓Account application & KYC file preparation✓Introduction to 2-3 suitable institutions✓Compliance onboarding support✓Dedicated account manager
Start with Banking →Starting figures, confirmed in your quote first. The mandatory resident agent and franchise tax are itemised; foundations and visa tracks are scoped separately.Starting figures, confirmed first. Resident agent and franchise tax itemised.
What you can do
Popular uses for a Panama company.
Panamanian law does not restrict founders by citizenship or residence, and an S.A. may pursue almost any lawful business. The territorial system rewards foreign-facing operations; banking and securities license with the local regulators.An S.A. may pursue almost any lawful business; the territorial system rewards foreign-facing operations.
International trading
Re-export and cross-border flows. With the Colón Free Zone as the hemisphere's wholesale engine.
Maritime & shipping
The world's largest ship registry. Vessels, mortgages and crewing under one historic flag.
Holding & investment
Foreign assets held at 0% under a century-old statute banks know by heart.
Private foundations
The Panamanian foundation. The civil-law answer to trusts for wealth and succession.
Residency vehicle
The company that anchors a Friendly Nations or Qualified Investor visa application.
E-commerce & services
Online business billed worldwide from a USD-native, zero-tax-on-foreign-income base.
Trading
Re-export via the Colón Free Zone.
Maritime & shipping
The world's largest flag registry.
Holding & investment
Foreign assets at 0%.
Private foundations
The civil-law trust alternative.
Residency vehicle
Anchors the Friendly Nations visa.
E-commerce & services
USD-native, billed worldwide.
Why Panama
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
Territorial by birthright
Panama invented the modern territorial system: foreign-source income sits outside the tax net, with no filings on it.Foreign income outside the net, no filings.
✓
US dollar native
The dollar is legal tender. No conversion layer, no exchange controls, ever.Legal tender; no exchange controls.
✓
Real banking depth
Dozens of licensed banks make Panama the rare offshore-friendly seat where local accounts genuinely open.Local accounts genuinely open.
✓
Shareholders off-register
Owners appear on no public record; only directors are listed. And nominees solve that where needed.Owners on no public record.
✓
The residency bridge
Friendly Nations and investor visas turn a company into a residence permit faster than anywhere in the region.Friendly Nations from your company.
✓
A century of case law
Law 32 has run since 1927. Every bank, court and counterparty on earth has seen Panamanian paper.Law 32 since 1927.
How it compares
Panama next to the usual shortlist.
BVI is the corporate default with cleaner listings; Costa Rica the stable neighbour; the Marshalls the maritime rival. Panama answers with banking depth, the dollar and residency. Figures current as of 2026.BVI is cleaner on listings; the Marshalls rival at sea; Panama wins on banks, dollar and residency. Figures as of 2026.
| Country | Tax on foreign income | Signature edge | Fully remote incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 0% - territorial | Banking depth · USD · residency | Yes - 3-5 days |
| BVI | 0% | Global corporate standard | Yes - cleaner listings |
| Costa Rica | 0% - territorial | Stability · relocation | Yes - 1-2 weeks |
| Marshall Islands | 0% - non-resident | Maritime rival · Delaware law | Yes - 1-2 days |
| Belize | 0% - territorial | Budget option | Yes - fastest |
PanamaRemote ✓
Foreign income0% - territorial
Edgebanks · USD · visa
BVIStandard
Foreign income0%
Edgecorporate default
Costa RicaStable
Foreign income0% - territorial
Edgerelocation
Marshall IslandsMaritime
Foreign income0%
EdgeDelaware law
BelizeBudget
Foreign income0% - territorial
Edgeprice
Requirements
What Panamanian law actually demands.
01
Shareholders - One or more shareholders of any nationality. They appear on no public register.
02
Three directors - An S.A. needs three directors, individuals or companies; their names are public. Professional nominees are the standard privacy answer.
03
Capital - The customary authorised capital is US$10,000. Nothing needs to be paid in.
04
Resident agent - A Panamanian lawyer or firm must act as resident agent - included in our package, as the law requires.
05
Name - A distinguishable name ending in S.A., Corp or Inc; sensitive words such as bank, trust or insurance need a licence.
06
Records - Since 2021 accounting records are lodged with the resident agent. Kept private, never published; no accounts are filed on foreign income.
How it works
From application to a live company in days.
Our lawyers and the resident agent carry the file at the Public Registry; most clean files complete within a week.Filed by our lawyers through the resident agent; most clean files complete within a week, apostilles included.
01Same day
Free consultation
We confirm that Panama fits your case. Company, foundation or visa track. And fix the full cost.
021 day
KYC & documents
Passports, proof of address and a short description of the business; we draft the articles.
031-2 days
Notarisation
Articles are notarised in Panama City under the resident agent's seal.
042-3 days
Public Registry filing
The S.A. is recorded and the registration certificate issued.
053-5 days
Documents & apostille
You receive the articles, certificates and share documents, apostilled for use abroad.
061-3 weeks
Banking
We introduce the company to Panamanian banks or EMIs and support the account opening.
Quick facts
Legal formS.A.
Directors3 - nominees available
Tax on foreign income0%
Franchise tax$300/year
Standard processing3-5 business days
Shareholder registerPrivate
CurrencyUS dollar
The foundation and the visa tracks run in parallel with incorporation when your plan includes them - one KYC, three results.
On the ground
On the ground in Panama.
Prifinance - Panama
Panama City
Panama City, Panama
01
Latin America specialists
Your setup is run by a team that files Panamanian structures with resident agents every week.
02
Resident agent included
The statutory agent and registered office keep the S.A. in good standing while you operate remotely.
03
Foundations & visas
Private interest foundations and Friendly Nations applications are scoped with local counsel. One team end to end.
04
Also in Tallinn, London, Dubai & more
A network of offices across Europe, the Gulf and the Americas. One team for your whole international structure.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation 2026
Territorial since before it had a name.
Panama taxes only Panama-source income. An S.A. earning abroad owes no income tax, files no return on those profits and pays just the flat $300 franchise tax each year. Local business pays 25% - and simply is not what these structures are for.Only Panama-source income is taxed. Foreign earnings: 0%, no filings, $300 franchise tax a year.
Foreign income - 0%
Outside the net by statute, with no filings. The founding model every territorial system copied.The founding territorial model.
Local income - 25%
The standard rate applies only to Panama-source business. Irrelevant for international structures.Irrelevant for international structures.
Flat franchise tax
US$300 a year keeps the S.A. in good standing. Independent of turnover or profit.$300/year, independent of profit.
Compliance, rebuilt
Off the FATF grey list since 2023; accounting records lodged privately with the resident agent under Law 254.FATF exit 2023; records with the agent.
Levies in 2026
Tax on foreign-source income0%
CIT on Panama-source income25%
Annual franchise tax$300
Capital gains (foreign assets)None
Withholding (foreign income)None
Exchange controlsNone - USD native
The franchise tax and agent renewal keep the company alive - we run the calendar and the registry relationship.
Your team
The specialists who'll handle your case.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
Corporate services advisor
Advises clients on company formation, VAT and ongoing compliance, coordinating each step of the setup across the EU.
Alex Danila
Company formation specialist
Your day-to-day contact - coordinates incorporation, documents and the bank introduction, from the first call through to launch.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Panama Company Registration: Costs, Timeline & Requirements
The territorial original with real banks behind it - full support for your Panamanian S.A., start to finish.
Talk to a specialist →FAQ
Panama practicalities.
Can I open a company without visiting Panama?+
Yes. The Public Registry filing runs remotely through our lawyers and the resident agent; you receive the originals by courier.
How much does it cost to set up a Panamanian company?+
Turnkey incorporation starts from $2,400 including the franchise tax and the first year of the resident agent. With a bank or EMI account arranged, packages start from $4,100.
How does the territorial system work?+
Panama taxes only income generated inside Panama. Profits from foreign trade, services or investments sit outside the net entirely - no income tax, no return on those earnings, just the flat $300 franchise tax. Tax may still be due where the owners live; we flag it early.
Why does the company need three directors?+
Law 32 requires three, and their names appear on the public registry. Where privacy matters, professional nominee directors hold the posts under declarations that preserve your full control - the standard Panamanian answer for decades.
Are the owners public?+
No. Shareholders appear on no public register - share ownership lives in the company's private records with the resident agent. Only directors are visible, which nominees resolve.
What is the private interest foundation?+
Panama's civil-law answer to the trust: a foundation with no owners that holds assets for beneficiaries, immune to forced-heirship claims and paired naturally with an S.A. that runs the business. We build both together from $2,900.
How real is the residency route?+
Very - the Friendly Nations visa grants residency to citizens of 50+ countries through a Panamanian company and a modest local footing, and the Qualified Investor visa fast-tracks larger cases. The company you form today is the anchor document.
What about Panama's reputation?+
2016 forced a rebuild, and it happened: beneficial-ownership registers for regulators, accounting records with agents, FATF grey-list exit in 2023. EU listings continue to move; banks meanwhile treat well-documented Panamanian structures as routine. We keep every file at that standard.
How is banking?+
The region's best: dozens of licensed banks in Panama City open USD accounts for well-documented companies, and international EMIs cover the rest. This is the rare zero-tax-on-foreign-income seat with genuine local banking depth.
Panama or BVI?+
BVI for pure corporate cleanliness and listings; Panama for banking depth, the dollar, foundations and the residency bridge. Trading businesses that want local accounts usually choose Panama; holding structures for funds choose BVI.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
More from Prifinance
Other jurisdictions & licenses.
Free consultation
Start your Panama company today.
Tell us about the business, and a specialist replies within one business day: S.A., foundation or visa track, with a timeline and a fixed quote.A Panama specialist replies within one business day: S.A., foundation or visa track, with a timeline and a fixed quote.
✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓A clear recommendation, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU speaking team