PA
Panama · Naturalización Panameña · Naturalization
Standard naturalization is available after five consecutive years of permanent residence. The Constitution also provides a three-year period for qualifying applicants with a Panamanian spouse or a child born in Panama to a Panamanian parent, and a reciprocity route for nationals by birth of Spain or a Latin American state. Applicants must declare their intent, expressly renounce their other nationality, demonstrate Spanish and basic knowledge of Panama, and complete the statutory examination and naturalization formalities.
The Constitution's Article 10(2) gives a three-year continuous-residence route to a foreigner who has a child born in Panama to a Panamanian parent or a Panamanian spouse. Article 10(3) provides a separate reciprocity route for nationals by birth of Spain or a Latin American state; the reciprocal requirements depend on the applicant's country. Under Decree Law No. 3, Article 126, residence for the first two routes is counted from the resolution granting permanent-resident status. The law requires a lawyer-filed application and a Tribunal Electoral examination on Panamanian history, geography, and political organization; applicants who fail to attend the examination have their petition rejected. Migration's current checklist requires a medical certificate and criminal-record evidence. The constitutional renunciation and the oath at Article 128 are legally required. Constitution Article 13 provides for loss of naturalized Panamanian nationality on express or tacit renunciation, including acquisition of another nationality; this record therefore does not describe Panama as permitting dual nationality. The often-cited three-month absence language in Migration's checklist concerns an alternative declaration for proving no foreign criminal record; it is not a statutory residence-absence cap. Resolution No. 51973 (effective 16 September 2026) adopts electronic naturalization case files, with implementation progressive; it does not establish public online filing. The final Carta de Naturaleza requires a B/.600 certified or cashier's check under Decree Law No. 3, Article 127, before delivery. Registration after the oath is a separate Tribunal Electoral service and has its own fee. Language: Spanish proficiency; no standardized level specified. How to apply: Application through a lawyer to the President; submitted to the National Migration Service.
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source
updated application method and description for the 2026 electronic case-file procedure; public online filing remains unverified Source
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