Naturalización ordinaria (residencia de 5 años)
Ciudadanía en Panamá
- Elegibilidad
- Los extranjeros con 5 años consecutivos de residencia que, después de ser mayor de edad, declaren la voluntad de naturalizarse, renuncien EXPRESAMENTE a su nacionalidad de origen y acrediten el español más conocimientos básicos de geografía, historia y organización política panameña (Const Art 10(1); trámite DL 3/2008 Art 118+, ingreso SNM, Beca Ejecutiva).
- Plazo
- n/a
- Tasa oficial
- 600 PAB
- Renuncia
- Requerida
Resumen
Foreigners with 5 consecutive years of residence who, after majority, declare the will to naturalize, EXPRESSLY renounce their nationality of origin, and prove Spanish plus basic knowledge of Panamanian geography, history and political organization (Const Art 10(1); procedure DL 3/2008 Art 118, SNM intake, Executive grant).
Plazos
Timeline: n/a. Document burden: standard. Required: renunciation.
Base jurídica
Primary statute: Const Art 10(1); DL 3/2008. Operative 1904–present. Authority: Tribunal Electoral (Registro Civil) / Ministerio de Gobierno / Servicio Nacional de Migracion / Organo Ejecutivo.
Exceptions & edge cases
- DISCONFIRMED: Panama has NO citizenship-by-investment (CBI). Investment/economic and 'Friendly Nations' programs — Friendly Nations residence (Decreto Ejecutivo 416 de 2012, amended by DE 197 and DE 226 de 2021), Qualified Investor permanent residence (Decreto Ejecutivo 722 de 2020, amended DE 109/2022 and DE 193/2024), and Pensionado/Jubilado residence — are RESIDENCE permits only. They confer no nationality; they merely establish the permanent-residence status that can later feed the constitutional Art 10 five-year naturalization clock. There is no shortcut from investment to nationality.
Escenarios de ejemplo
Los escenarios de ejemplo se muestran en inglés.
Criminal record · nationality: applicant with a serious conviction
May be denied
Art 12 lets the State deny a carta for reasons of morality/security/health/incapacity; a serious record can ground denial.
Insufficient Spanish · nationality: resident who fails the exam
Not eligible until proven
Art 10(1) requires proof of Spanish and basic Panamanian geography/history/political organization.
Eligible via this route if conditions of Const Art 10(1); DL 3/2008 are met.
Foreigners with 5 consecutive years of residence who, after majority, declare the will to naturalize, EXPRESSLY renounce their nationality of origin, and prove Spanish plus basic knowledge of Panamanian geography, history and political organization (Const Art 10(1); procedure DL 3/2008 Art 118, SNM intake, Executive grant).
Priya · nationality: Indian software engineer
Eligible for ordinary naturalization
Art 10(1): 5 consecutive years' residence + majority + express renunciation of prior nationality + Spanish and civics (geography/history/political organization). Procedure under DL 3/2008 (Art 118).
Hassan · nationality: 3 years' residence
Not yet eligible (ordinary route)
The ordinary route needs 5 years (Art 10(1)); with no Panamanian spouse or child, the 3-year route (Art 10(2)) does not apply.
Resumen informativo recopilado a partir de fuentes legales primarias: no es asesoramiento jurídico. La ley de ciudadanía cambia; verifica con la autoridad competente antes de actuar. Verificado por última vez el 2026-07-25.
Sigue los cambios en esta vía
Las reglas de descendencia y naturalización cambian. Te enviaremos un email en lenguaje claro cuando se actualice algo que afecte a Panama: sin spam.