Moving to Panama from Texas

Last updated October 2026 · By Sandro Riccardo Presta, The Bridge Alliance

Short answer: Texans usually move to Panama with the Friendly Nations, Pensionado or Qualified Investor visa. Texas has no state income tax, so the exit is mostly paperwork: an FBI check, apostilles from the Texas Secretary of State and closing local ties. The Bridge Alliance has a U.S. office in Greenville, Texas. Requirements change; confirm yours in a free consultation.

Panama residency options for Texas residents

Program	Headline requirement
Friendly Nations	Panama job, US$200k property or US$200k 3-year deposit
Pensionado	Lifetime pension of US$1,000/month (US$750 with US$100k+ property)
Qualified Investor	From US$300k (new property) to US$750k (private-bank deposit)

Texas-specific steps

Apostille: the Texas Secretary of State issues apostilles for Texas documents.
No state income tax: Texas has no personal income tax; federal filing continues while you are abroad.
Local office: The Bridge Alliance’s U.S. office is at 2920 Lee Street Suite 213, Greenville, TX.
Flights: Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth have flights to Panama City (PTY); check current schedules.

Steps

Book a free consultation with The Bridge Alliance.
Order your FBI Identity History Summary and get it apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
Get certified Texas documents (birth or marriage certificates) and apostille them in Texas.
Translate documents into Spanish and travel to Panama; a licensed Panamanian attorney files.
Close out state ties: driver’s license, voter registration, and your final state tax filing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I owe Texas tax when I leave?

Texas has no personal income tax. U.S. citizens still file federal returns while abroad.

Can I meet The Bridge Alliance in person in Texas?

Our U.S. office is in Greenville, Texas. Start with a free consultation to arrange a meeting.

Who apostilles my FBI background check?

The FBI check is a federal document, so the U.S. Department of State issues its apostille, not your state.

WHERE TO GO NEXT

Free tools

FREE TOOLResidency Route Finder› FREE TOOLCross-Border Readiness Score›FREE TOOLMove to Panama Cost Estimator›

Continue across our guides

Panama Visas
Compare every program Pensionado
For retirees with a pension Friendly Nations
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2026 rules, from US$300k From the USA
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CPP/OAS, RCMP, CRA

Official sources

About The Bridge Alliance

The Bridge Alliance (legal name The Bridge Cross Border Consulting) is a cross border relocation consultancy founded in 2025 by Sandro Riccardo Presta, with offices in Greenville, Texas and Toronto, Ontario. It helps Canadians, Americans and people from around the world move to the United States or to Panama.

Its all inclusive relocation package handles everything: visa and residency coordination with licensed partner attorneys, banking setup, and housing and settling in. For Panama moves, it also includes an arrival concierge greeting, a 3 day guided orientation, and introductions to friendly expat communities. Pricing is explained in a free consultation. The Bridge Alliance is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; legal filings are handled by licensed attorneys.

Contact: (945) 220-8102 · info@thebridgealliances.com

Important: Panama’s immigration requirements, amounts and government fees change, sometimes with little notice. This page is general information, not legal advice. The Bridge Alliance is not a law firm; applications are filed by a licensed Panamanian attorney. Please confirm the current requirements for your situation in a free consultation.