Who it’s generally for
Retirees and pre-retirees, typically 50+, who receive lifetime pension or retirement income and want a warm, lower-stress base in Latin America with strong infrastructure.
About Sunset Living
Your move to Panama,
coordinated.
A Panama City concierge for qualifying retirees. We coordinate the Pensionado visa and the practical move.
What we actually do
From paperwork to Panama.
We coordinate the process for you.
- 01
Residency eligibility review
A clear, honest read on whether Pensionado fits your pension income, timeline, and plans.
- 02
Documents, apostilles & translations
A plain-English checklist, in the right order, with guidance on what each office actually needs.
- 03
Appointment coordination
Scheduling and sequencing so nothing slips between the cracks once you are in Panama.
- 04
Arrival & first-week guidance
Where to stay, what to bring, and what happens after you land.
- 05
Housing & banking introductions
Beach vs. city, short-term stays, and getting set up with local banking and utilities.
- 06
Named legal partner for filings
Immigration submissions are handled by a licensed Panamanian attorney, not an anonymous referral.
A personal note from our Co-Founder
Before you book,
here’s what to expect.
Moving to Panama can be an exciting opportunity, but the process often raises more questions than people initially anticipate. Which residency program is right for you? What documents will you need? How long will the process take? And, most importantly, who can you trust to guide you properly?
I am John Ward, Co-Founder and Head of Legal of Sunset Living. I am a Panamanian lawyer, educated in both Panama and Germany, and I have spent my career helping international clients navigate Panama’s legal and administrative systems with confidence.
We created Sunset Living because relocating to another country should not feel confusing, impersonal, or uncertain. You deserve clear answers, realistic expectations, and a team that understands both the legal process and the practical realities of building a life in Panama.
Our approach is simple
- We explain your options clearly.
- We provide transparent, agreed-upon fees.
- We coordinate the process from beginning to end.
- We give honest advice, even when Panama may not be the right fit.
Our priority is helping you determine whether Panama is truly aligned with your lifestyle, financial situation, and long-term plans.
Your complimentary 30-minute consultation is the first step. We will discuss your objectives, answer your initial questions, and identify the residency or relocation options that may be available to you.
There is no pressure and no obligation. If Sunset Living is the right partner for you, we will provide a clear path forward. If it is not, you will still leave with a better understanding of your options and what to do next.
Book a free callOur legal partner
Immigration files are handled by 4Corporate Law.
Sunset Living coordinates your move. Where immigration filings are required, your file is opened, reviewed, and submitted to the Servicio Nacional de Migración by Mgtr. John Robert Ward Abrego (Panama Bar Assoc.). A named attorney, not an anonymous referral.
- 10 years of Panamanian legal practice
- Registered with the Servicio Nacional de Migración
- Member of the Panama Bar Association (CNA)
The Pensionado Visa, in plain English
What is the Panama
Pensionado Visa?
The Pensionado is Panama’s retirement-focused residency program, designed for people receiving a qualifying pension or retirement income. It’s widely chosen by retirees because the process is generally straightforward and Panama is a comfortable, accessible place to live.
A benefit that adds up
Lifetime discounts for Pensionado visa holders
Pensionado visa holders enjoy 25% off airline tickets, 50% off entertainment, 25% off restaurant meals, and 15% off bills from private hospitals and clinics. The program also provides a one-time exemption from import duties on household goods, up to the applicable legal limit. The recurring discounts can significantly reduce the cost of living over a lifetime.
Why retirees choose it
A clear residency pathway, an established expat community, world-class healthcare in the capital, a very appealing tax regime, and the kind of climate you’d normally have to fly to.
Documents usually involved
Passport, proof of pension income, background check, health certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable). Most documents need apostille and certified translation. We’ll give you the full checklist on your call.
Why our White Glove Solution matters
Most people aren’t looking to become experts in apostilles, translations, appointment scheduling, and Panama’s residency offices. Our job is to make the path forward feel obvious: what to do next, who to talk to, and what to bring.
As of September 2026. Pensionado requirements can change. Every situation is reviewed individually. Fees are flat and agreed before any work starts.
- 01
Check eligibility
We walk through your retirement income, timeline, and lifestyle goals to see whether the Pensionado pathway is a fit.
- 02
Prepare your documents
A clear checklist, plain-English guidance, and help organizing apostilles and translations.
- 03
Arrive & complete the process
We coordinate your arrival, your appointments, and connect you with properly qualified professionals where required.
Who this is for
Is Sunset Living right for you?
If most of these sound like you, the rest of this conversation is going to feel familiar.
- You’re ready for a warmer, lower-stress retirement in Panama.
- You’re retiring, or close to it.
- You receive pension or retirement income, or will soon.
- You’re tired of cold winters (or just want an escape from them).
- You’re curious about Panama but feel overwhelmed by the process.
- You want professional support coordinating the Pensionado visa and settling in.
- You’re drawn to beach life, city life, or both.
- You want life abroad to feel relaxed, affordable, and well-supported.
Life in Panama
After the paperwork,
this is the day-to-day.
The visa is the mechanism. The chapter is the climate, the healthcare, and a pace you can keep.
- Ocean air and quieter beach communities.
- City condos when you want doctors and dining nearby.
- We help you try both before you commit.
Where to land
Beach, city, or both.
Panama lets you choose.
Most retirees and expats we work with want options, not a permanent either/or. Here, you can keep both within reach.
Option A
Retire by the beach
- Ocean air and slower mornings.
- Walkable beach communities and fresh seafood.
- Nature, quiet, and a real escape from urban noise.
- Easy trips back to Panama City when you want it.
Popular areas: Coronado · Pedasí · Bocas del Toro · Playa Blanca · Santa Clara
Option B
Move to the city
- Modern condos with skyline and ocean views.
- Hospitals, restaurants, shopping, banking, all nearby.
- International airport for friends and family visits.
- City energy with tropical weather year-round.
Popular areas: Punta Pacífica · Costa del Este · Casco Viejo · San Francisco
Why Panama
Why retirees
keep choosing Panama.
Warm weather, specialized hospitals, affordable healthcare, a clear Pensionado pathway, and a short flight home, without trading away the comforts you already expect.
Warm weather, year-round
Trade winter coats for ocean breezes. Average daytime temperatures stay comfortable all twelve months.
Lower cost of living
Many retirees and expats find day-to-day expenses more manageable than in North America or Europe.
Modern healthcare options
Panama City hosts internationally-accredited hospitals with English-speaking staff and private insurance options.
Pensionado residency pathway
A retirement-focused visa for people with qualifying pension income: clear, established, and widely chosen.
Favorable tax environment*
Panama’s tax system may be advantageous for retirees and expats depending on your personal situation. *Speak with a qualified tax professional.
Direct flights, real infrastructure
Tocumen International Airport connects Panama to most major US, Canada & European hubs, usually a short flight home.
A look at your next chapter
See the life waiting
for you in Panama.
Beaches, skyline, highlands, and the everyday calm that makes people stay.
Frequently asked
Questions retirees ask us most.
What is the Panama Pensionado Visa?
Panama’s Pensionado is a retirement-focused residency program for people receiving a qualifying pension or retirement income. It’s widely chosen by retirees because the pathway is generally clear and Panama is a comfortable, accessible place to live.
What if I don’t have a pension?
Pensionado usually requires qualifying retirement income. If that’s not you, still book the call. We can check whether another route fits.
What documents do I need?
Typically: passport, proof of pension income, background check, health certificate, and (if applicable) marriage certificate. Most documents require apostille and certified translation. We provide a full checklist on your call. See the document checklist.
Can I bring my spouse?
Yes. Spouses are typically included as dependents under the Pensionado pathway. Specific requirements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis with qualified professionals.
Do I need to live in Panama full-time?
Many of our clients use Panama as a primary home, but plenty split their year between Panama and their home country. We can help you think through what makes sense for your lifestyle.
Can I live by the beach?
Absolutely. Coronado, Playa Blanca, Pedasí, Bocas del Toro, and many other coastal communities are popular with retirees and expats, with everything from beachside condos to quiet homes.
Can I live in Panama City instead?
Yes. Panama City offers modern condos, world-class healthcare, international cuisine, banking, and the country’s main airport, all with a tropical climate.
Is Panama safe for retirees and expats?
Panama is generally very safe, but like any country, safety varies by neighbourhood. The areas most retirees and expats choose are widely considered safe and comfortable. We help orient you to where established expat communities live.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Helpful, but not required. English is widely spoken in healthcare, business, and the main expat communities. Many of our clients pick up Spanish gradually after arriving.
How long does the process take?
Timelines vary based on your country of origin, document readiness, and individual situation. We’ll give you a realistic estimate during your eligibility review.
Can you help with banking, housing, and settling in?
That’s the heart of what we do. We coordinate introductions, share trusted local contacts, and walk you through every step of your journey to Panama.
Do you provide legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice?
No. Sunset Living is a trade name owned and operated by 4Corporate LLC. We are not a law firm, accounting firm, tax advisory firm, financial advisory firm, immigration law practice, or government agency, and we do not provide legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Where regulated services are required, they are provided by appropriately qualified independent professionals.
Are you a law firm or government agency?
No. Sunset Living is a trade name of 4Corporate LLC. We are not a law firm, accounting firm, tax advisory firm, financial advisory firm, immigration law practice, or government agency.
Ready to explore your options in Panama?
Book your free 30-minute consultation. No pressure and no obligation.