Panama: company formation
Sociedad Anónima · private interest foundation · Americas
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
SA in Panama — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- Strict territoriality, long-established legal framework.
- Private interest foundation available for asset holding.
- Regional logistics and banking hub.
What it does not solve
- Removed from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions on 9 October 2026, Panama remains under watch (Annex II).
- Removal from the list has not yet changed banks' attitude.
Conditions to meet
Usual authorised capital, not a legal minimum
Usual time, from our files; to be checked.
Difficult from Europe: removal from the EU list on 9 October 2026 has not yet changed banks' attitude.
Panama left the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions on 9 October 2026: the defensive measures tied to the list fall away, but Panama remains under watch (Annex II, commitments pending). We incorporate there only on a written operational justification.
Our assessment for Panama; to be checked.
Office on quotation in Panama City.
Our offer in Panama, internal catalogue.
Registration in Panama: Public Registry of Panama (Registro Público). Source: rp.gob.pa (to be checked)
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 10 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
Panama: what is specific to it
- Law 129 of 17 March 2020: a private register of final beneficiaries, filled by the resident agent and kept by the Superintendency of Non-Financial Subjects, open only to the authorities. Source: cnbc.mef.gob.pa
- The Panamanian corporation (sociedad anónima) falls under Law 32 of 1927 and is entered in the Registro Público de Panamá. Source: registro-publico.gob.pa (to be checked)
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Panama compared with Anguilla and Costa Rica
| Panama | Anguilla | Costa Rica | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | SA | IBC | SRL |
| Corporate taxation | 0 % territorial | 0 % | 30% (reduced rates for small companies) |
| Share capital | $10,000 | $50,000 | Not established |
| Incorporation time | 3–4 days | 2–3 days | About 3 days (CrearEmpresa platform) |
| Banking access | Difficult | Difficult | Demanding |
| Substance requirement | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own | Real presence required | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own |
| Our services | from 2,690 € | from 2,890 € | from 5,190 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Anguilla → · The page for Costa Rica →
Compare this jurisdiction
Registered office and premises in Panama
From 1,032 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and identity verification
- Name reservation
- Filing and incorporation
- Delivery of the corporate file
- Account opening
For Panama, the register is kept by Public Registry of Panama (Registro Público) and the usual time is 3–4 days.
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: International place of incorporation · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in Panama: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Panama?
Company formation in Panama starts at 2,690 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in Panama?
About 3–4 days once the file is complete (usual time from our files; to be checked).
Where is a company registered in Panama?
With the Public Registry of Panama (Registro Público) (source: rp.gob.pa).
What is the corporate tax rate in Panama?
0 % territorial (data as of 21 September 2026; source: dgi.mef.gob.pa; to be checked). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in Panama?
$10,000: usual authorised capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in Panama?
Strict territoriality, long-established legal framework. Private interest foundation available for asset holding. Regional logistics and banking hub.
What are the drawbacks of a company in Panama?
Removed from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions on 9 October 2026, Panama remains under watch (Annex II). Removal from the list has not yet changed banks' attitude.
Panama or Anguilla or Costa Rica: where do our services start?
from 2,690 € in Panama; from 2,890 € in Anguilla; from 5,190 € in Costa Rica, excluding tax.
Panama or Anguilla or Costa Rica: how does corporate tax compare?
Panama, 0 % territorial; Anguilla, 0 %; Costa Rica, 30% (reduced rates for small companies); to be checked.
Panama or Anguilla or Costa Rica: which is faster to register?
Panama in 3–4 days; Anguilla in 2–3 days; Costa Rica in About 3 days (CrearEmpresa platform), usual times.
Where these figures come from
Recorded on 21 September 2026; to be checked; banking and substance: our assessment. How we source these figures →