12 answers for owners and founders of a Panama company, from ordering to banking, annual compliance and what happens after incorporation. General information, not legal or tax advice: your specialist confirms how it applies to you.
A passport copy and a recent proof of address for each director, officer, shareholder and beneficial owner, a short business description and a source-of-funds statement. The resident agent, a Panamanian lawyer or law firm, runs its own due diligence before it files. If you will not supply three directors, tell us at checkout so we can arrange a professional director service disclosed to the registry.
Panamanian company law is civil law written in Spanish, so the articles of incorporation are drafted in Spanish and signed before a Panamanian notary, then registered with the Public Registry. The company exists from the date of registration. You receive an English translation with the registered articles, so you can check what was filed.
Source: Registro Público de Panamá, Registro Público de Panamá (accessed Sep 2026)
Yes. Panama has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1991, so apostilled Panamanian documents are accepted in other member countries without consular legalisation. Banks abroad usually want the registered articles and a recent registry certificate with an apostille, plus a certified translation if they do not read Spanish.
Certification and apostilleSource: Status table: Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) (accessed Sep 2026)
The words Sociedad Anónima or the abbreviation S.A., and a name that is not already registered. The resident agent checks availability with the Public Registry before the articles are signed (confirm any restricted words with your specialist). Give us up to three names at checkout.
Source: Registro Público de Panamá, Registro Público de Panamá (accessed Sep 2026)
The tasa única is PAB 300 a year (the balboa is at par with the US dollar). A company registered between January and June pays by 15 July; one registered between July and December pays by 15 January. Late payment adds a PAB 50 surcharge, and after three unpaid years the company is suspended and pays a PAB 1,000 fine to be reinstated.
Source: Tasa Única, Dirección General de Ingresos, Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas, Panamá (accessed Sep 2026)
We invoice before the franchise tax date, with the tasa única, the resident agent and our service as separate lines, plus any director service you use. Pay by card, PayPal or wire in the client portal or on Renew & pay. With a wire, send it early so the tax is paid before 15 January or 15 July.
Some will. Panamanian banks often ask to meet the signatories in person or by video, and they review powers of attorney closely. If a director or attorney will operate the account, we set out who holds which powers so the bank sees a clear picture. The bank decides.
It is harder. Panama is on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (February 2026), so many EU banks and payment providers decline Panama companies or apply enhanced checks. Institutions in Panama, Latin America or Asia are often more realistic, and we shortlist those that currently accept your profile.
Source: Taxation: Council updates the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (17 February 2026), Council of the European Union (accessed Sep 2026)
It depends on its income. A company that earns Panama-source income registers with the tax authority (DGI) and files an annual income tax return. A company whose business is carried on entirely outside Panama usually has lighter tax filings there, but it still pays the franchise tax and keeps accounting records (confirm your position with your specialist).
Source: Dirección General de Ingresos, Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas, Panamá (accessed Sep 2026)
They may. EU member states apply defensive measures to payments involving listed jurisdictions, such as refusing tax deductions or charging extra withholding tax. An EU customer may therefore ask questions or prefer not to pay a Panama entity, so check your customer base before you choose Panama.
Compare jurisdictionsSource: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, Council of the European Union (accessed Sep 2026)
The board or shareholders resolve to appoint the new resident agent, and the resolution is notarised and registered with the Public Registry. We complete KYC first, and the outgoing agent hands over the beneficial ownership and accounting-record information it holds once its fees are paid.
Transfer your companySource: Registro Público de Panamá, Registro Público de Panamá (accessed Sep 2026)
Dissolve it formally rather than stop paying. A company that stops paying the franchise tax builds up surcharges and fines and is eventually suspended, and that record can follow its owners in later bank checks. Bring the tasa única up to date, then register the dissolution through the resident agent.
Close a company properlySource: Tasa Única, Dirección General de Ingresos, Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas, Panamá (accessed Sep 2026)
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