Friendly Nations isn’t the fast, cheap program it used to be — it’s a two-year provisional stage now, and the dependent-spouse shortcut that makes it cheap for straight couples doesn’t reliably work for married gay couples. Here’s what actually changes, and what a same-sex couple should budget for instead.
Every straight-couple guide says “add your spouse as a dependent.” Ours can’t. Here’s exactly what changes — and what doesn’t — when two men try to get residency in Panama on two separate timelines, including what we’re actually doing about it.
Panama has always required residents to report address changes within 30 days. In 2025 they started enforcing it — and added a $100 fine for anyone already late. The process is now online. The notarized documents are not, and renters especially need to read this before they file.
The Pensionado visa medical exam is mandatory, brief, and costs $25. Brian’s appointment at Wellmed nearly went sideways when he tried to explain his blood pressure one number at a time. Here’s what the doctor checks, who can issue the certificate, and the 90-day deadline that catches people off guard.
We sat down with Carolina Tejada Vaprio at Morgan & Morgan in Panama City to talk through the Pensionado visa process — and came away with a longer checklist than we expected. Here’s every cost you need to ask about upfront, every question worth putting to any attorney before you hire them, and why a same-sex couple in Panama needs more than just a visa lawyer.