🇵🇦 Panama vs 🇧🇷 Brazil · Investor
Brazil or Panama investor visa?
Panama gives permanent residence on day one, in a dollar economy, for a higher minimum. Brazil starts lower and lets you invest in a business as well as property.
In short
Panama's Qualified Investor program grants permanent residence straight away for US$300,000 in a newly built property — US$500,000 for a resale property since September 16, 2026 — or US$500,000 in securities. Brazil's property route needs R$700,000 (about US$136,000) in the North and Northeast or R$1,000,000 elsewhere, and gives four years of residence before it becomes indefinite.
Side by side
| 🇧🇷 Brazil investor residence | 🇵🇦 Panama Qualified Investor program | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Company: R$500,000 (about US$97,000). Innovation project: R$150,000 (about US$29,000). Urban property: R$1,000,000 (about US$194,000), or R$700,000 (about US$136,000) in the North and Northeast | New (first-sale) property: US$300,000. Resale property: US$500,000. Listed securities: US$500,000. Fixed-term deposit: US$500,000 at a state bank, or US$750,000 at a private bank |
| What you get | Company route: indefinite residence from the start. Property route: 4 years, then indefinite | Permanent residence directly, without Panama's usual 2-year temporary stage |
| Time in the country | Property route: at least 14 days in Brazil in every 2 years | Minimal: about one visit every 2 years |
| Citizenship | Naturalization after 4 years of indefinite residence (shorter in some family cases). Brazil allows dual nationality | Possible later, with a streamlined process for Qualified Investor residents. Panama doesn't generally allow naturalized citizens to keep their other nationality |
| Where you apply | From abroad before the visa, or from inside Brazil | Through Panama's Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI); review typically takes 30–90 days |
| Family | Spouse and dependants can be included | Family members can be included |
| Tax | Tax resident once you hold residence and stay; worldwide income taxed at up to 27.5%. Income up to R$5,000 a month is exempt from 2026 | Territorial: income earned outside Panama isn't taxed there |
Which one fits you
🇧🇷 Brazil
Choose Brazil if you want a lower entry point, want to invest in a company or innovation project, or want property in the Northeast, where the minimum is 30% lower.
Check my Brazil optionsInvestor visa calculator →Tax residency check →Brazilian naturalization →🇵🇦 Panama
Choose Panama if permanent residence from day one, a dollar economy and territorial tax matter more than the higher minimum.
Worth knowing
- Panama changed the rules by Executive Decree No. 17, in force since September 16, 2026: the US$300,000 minimum now applies only to first-sale properties, and resale properties need US$500,000.
- The property must be free of liens up to the minimum: a mortgage reduces the amount that counts.
- Brazil's North and Northeast property minimum (R$700,000) covers cities like Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza and Natal.
- Dollar figures for Brazil use about R$5.16 per US dollar (July 2026).
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Official sources
Resolution CNIg nº 13/2017 (company investment), Ministry of Justice ↗
Resolution CNIg nº 36/2018 (property investment), Ministry of Justice ↗
Qualified Investor program, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), Panama ↗
Checked against official sources on October 25, 2026. Emigro gives preliminary guidance, not legal advice. Emigro is a private company, not affiliated with any government. Emigro is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Lawyers listed are independent, registered with the OAB, and solely responsible for their advice. Rules for countries other than Brazil are summarized for comparison; confirm them with a qualified adviser in that country.
Common questions
Is Panama's minimum US$300,000 or US$500,000?
Both, since September 16, 2026: US$300,000 for a new property bought from the developer, US$500,000 for a resale property.
Which gives permanent residence faster?
Panama: permanent from approval. Brazil's company route is indefinite from the start too, but its property route begins with four years.
Which has lower taxes?
Panama taxes only income earned in Panama. Brazil taxes residents on worldwide income, at up to 27.5%.
Can I keep my passport if I naturalize?
In Brazil, yes. Panama generally requires naturalized citizens to give up their other nationality.
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