Why Panama?
Panama has long been one of Latin America's top retirement destinations. It is well known for its Pensionado residency program for retirees with a pension (open at any age to those with a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month, reportedly lowered to US$750 if you own Panamanian property worth over US$100,000), it uses the US dollar alongside its own currency, and the capital, Panama City, has relatively good medical facilities. In the 2026 Global Retirement Index from International Living, a US magazine about living abroad, it ranked near the top after Greece, and it also appeared on Forbes's 2026 list of best places to retire abroad (96 places in 24 countries).
Conference overview
| Event | 2027 Live and Invest in Panama Conference |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wednesday, January 20 – Friday, January 22, 2027 (upcoming) |
| Location | Panama City, Panama (in person) |
| Organizer | Live and Invest Overseas (a private US company covering living and investing abroad) |
| Language | English |
| Official site | liveandinvestoverseas.com |
What does it cover?
The organizer describes the event as a chance to hear directly from local experts about living, investing, and retiring in Panama. Conferences like this typically cover practical settling-in issues such as residency visa types and how to apply, living costs and finding a home, healthcare and insurance, opening a bank account, and taxes, with time to hear from people who have already moved there. The detailed session list is published on the official site as the event approaches.
Local tours held alongside
- January 16–18: Veraguas Sunset Coast pre-conference tour (optional)
- January 19: Panama City real estate tour for conference attendees (free)
- January 24–28: Pacific Riviera relocation scouting tour (optional)
The tours let you see the neighborhoods where you might live, but be aware that they are often tied to real estate listings.
Can Korean citizens apply for the Pensionado program?
The Pensionado program is described as having no nationality restriction, so Korean citizens can apply. Key conditions, as summarized by relocation sites and local law firms, are:
- Income: A pension paid for life, such as a government or private pension, of at least US$1,000 a month. Public pensions such as Korea's National Pension are relatively easy to document; employment or remote-work income does not count.
- Lower threshold with property: Owning Panamanian real estate worth over US$100,000 reportedly lowers the requirement to US$750 a month, but sources cite different legal bases, so confirm this.
- Benefits: Along with permanent residency, retirees are known to receive discounts on transport, medical care, lodging, and more.
This summary is based on private sources, and the amounts can change. Before applying, confirm the current requirements with Panama's National Migration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migración) or the Embassy of Panama in Seoul.
How to attend
Registration and fees are on the organizer's official site. Depending on where you are coming from, there may be no direct flight to Panama (from Korea, for example, you need to connect via the US or elsewhere), so book flights and accommodation well ahead of the conference dates.
Before you go
Things to know before attending
- Held in English: All talks and consultations are in English, and no interpretation into other languages has been announced.
- Information geared to Americans: The organizer mainly serves US readers, so most of the visa, tax, and pension information assumes US citizenship. If you hold another nationality, check the visa conditions that apply to you with the country's embassy or immigration authority.
- A private, paid event: It is a paid event run by a private publishing and education company, not a government agency. If you are shown real estate or investment products on site, don't sign anything there and then.
- Long-haul travel: Flights can be long, with a big time difference. If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before you go, and bring travel insurance and plenty of your regular medication.
Please keep in mind
- This article is based on information checked as of the date shown at the top. New research or changes in official guidelines may change the details, so please use it as a reference rather than taking it as definitive.
- Details such as schedules, rules, and costs can change, so confirm them with the organizers or the relevant agencies before you decide. For any health-related decision, please see a doctor in person.