April 9, 2025
Limitless Team
The quarantine and mobility regulations in Panama have raised many doubts among both domestic and international residents. From traffic schedules to the legal requirements for maintaining permanent residence, it's essential to understand how these rules affect both Panamanians and foreigners. At Limitless Legal, we understand the challenges and provide clarity on these issues. In this comprehensive guide, we explore how current regulations apply, what happens if you don't comply with them, and what steps you need to take to keep your legal rights in order.
How do quarantine restrictions work in Panama for nationals and foreigners?
In an effort to ensure citizen security during the pandemic, Panama implemented mobility regulations, including quarantines and curfews, affecting both nationals and foreigners. These rules are designed to regulate the circulation by termination of the identity card number (nationals) or passport (foreigners).
Circulation schedules according to ID card and passport
- Traffic is allowed at specific times based on the termination of the identification number.
- For example, even numbers may appear on alternate days while odd numbers have different days assigned to them.
Older adults and people with disabilities have special hours to protect their health and facilitate their access to essential services.
What happens if you violate these restrictions?
Failure to comply with traffic regulations can result in severe fines or legal penalties. Therefore, it is crucial to know and respect the established rules.
What are the legal requirements for foreigners with permanent residence?
Permanent residents in Panama must meet certain legal obligations to maintain their status. This includes specific times of stay in the country. By not meeting these requirements, they could face rehabilitation processes to regain their residency or even the total loss of permanent resident status.
Minimum stay required
- Residents must visit Panama at least once every two years to maintain their active residence.
- If the resident stays out of the country for more than 6 consecutive years, they automatically lose their status.
Consequences of non-compliance
If you exceed this period without visiting Panama, it will be necessary to start a Permanent Resident Permit Rehabilitation process, which can be lengthy and costly.
Steps for the rehabilitation of the Permanent Resident Permit in Panama
If you lost your permanent resident status, all is not lost. It is possible to start a rehabilitation process, although it requires meeting multiple legal requirements.
Required documents
- Certified copy of the passport.
- Evidence of stable economic income
- Criminal record certificates.
- Justification for your prolonged absence from the country.
Legal process
Working with a competent legal team like Limitless Legal greatly simplifies this process. Our experts will manage all the necessary procedures, reducing the associated time and stress.
Impact of spending more than 6 years out of the country as a permanent resident
Exceeding 6 years outside of Panama implies the automatic loss of permanent residence status. For certain exceptional cases, such as medical emergencies or new work circumstances, it may be possible to appeal this loss. However, these cases require a solid legal strategy and appropriate professional advice.
What solutions are there?
Contact an attorney specializing in immigration law in Panama to evaluate your options. Limitless Legal offers free consultations to analyze your situation and help you resume your residency.
Curfew Times and Exceptions Due to the Pandemic
In addition to quarantine regulations, there are still restrictions on movement during the curfew in certain provinces of Panama.
Current curfew times
Curfews usually vary depending on the progress of COVID-19 cases in each region. We recommend that you check the most recent regulations with official sources or contact us for up-to-date support.
Exceptions and permissions
Some exceptions include healthcare professionals, people with medical emergencies, and carriers of essential products. However, it is necessary to carry valid supporting documents.
✍🏼 Take note...
Knowing the quarantine regulations, permanent residence requirements and legal implications in Panama is vital to maintaining your legal status and avoiding sanctions. At Limitless Legal, we are committed to offering you the advice you need to simplify these processes and protect your rights as a resident or visitor in Panama.