Contents of this ranking
What a real estate lawyer does in a purchase
Legal Solutions Panamá, “¿Es legal que los extranjeros compren propiedades en Panamá?”
Within that framework, the lawyer’s work is one of verification and structure. They verify at the Public Registry that the seller is the owner, that there are no mortgages, liens or annotations, and that the measurements match the plan. They draft the promise of sale with the payment terms and penalties. They calculate the transfer tax and the advance on capital gains the seller pays, confirm the status of the property tax and the exemptions in force, and coordinate the public deed before a notary and its registration. Radar Panamá describes each step in its guide to buying property in Panama as a foreigner.
Title search
Title folio, encumbrances, measurements and boundaries at the Public Registry.
Promise of sale
Terms, deadlines, deposit and penalties for breach.
Taxes and exemptions
Transfer, capital gains, property tax and new-housing benefits.
Deed and registration
Signing before a notary, secure payment and registration in the name of the buyer or their company.
How the ranking was made
Firms in Panama City that declare a real estate practice and service to foreign buyers were searched on Google Maps, and the average rating and number of reviews of their listings were recorded on 25 September 2026. The order is by volume of reviews, with the rating as a tiebreaker; listings with no reviews or fewer than ten were excluded. Radar Panamá received no payment to include any firm and does not publish fees.
The eight firms, with rating and reviews
| # | Firm | Google rating | Reviews | Area | Real estate focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kraemer & Kraemer | 4.6 | 99 | Calle 53 Este | Purchases by foreigners linked to residency; publishes its own property buying guide |
| 2 | Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán | 4.7 | 59 | Calle Aquilino de la Guardia | Large corporate firm; projects, developers and high-value transactions |
| 3 | Chen Lee & Asociados | 4.7 | 56 | Vía Ricardo J. Alfaro | Sales, inheritances and contracts for international clients |
| 4 | Legal Solutions Panamá | 4.9 | 48 | Calle Aquilino de la Guardia | Purchases by foreigners integrated with residency, company and bank account |
| 5 | Badillo-Paz & Colucci | 5.0 | 31 | Century Tower | General practice with a real estate arm |
| 6 | JSF & Asociados | 5.0 | 26 | Calle 50, F&F Tower | Real estate with a tax and accounting focus |
| 7 | Law Office of J. Gavrilidis | 5.0 | 19 | Calle 79 Este | Legal procedures for foreigners, including property purchases |
| 8 | The Legal Agency Group | 5.0 | 14 | Office One Tower | Small firm with reviews focused on diligence and speed |
Who each firm is for
- Kraemer & Kraemer is the reference for English-speaking retirees and investors who buy a home and apply for residency at the same time; its buying guide covers buyer types, taxes and secure payment methods.
- Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán suits anyone buying a building, land to develop or taking part in a project, not the purchase of an apartment.
- Chen Lee & Asociados has reviews that mention inheritance proceedings and sales, useful for anyone inheriting or selling a family property in Panama.
- Legal Solutions Panamá, led by Kathia Rivera, handles the purchase within a package with residency, the company that can hold the property and the bank account from which it is paid; Rivera compares those structures in the session on foundations, companies and trusts.
- Badillo-Paz & Colucci, JSF, J. Gavrilidis and The Legal Agency Group are small firms with a perfect score; JSF adds an accountant in the same office, relevant for anyone who will rent out the property and declare income in Panama.
How to choose
- Hire the lawyer before signing anything, including the reservation or deposit to the developer.
- Ask for a written title search with the title folio and the date of the query.
- Decide on ownership: in your own name, a company’s or a private interest foundation’s, depending on succession and use.
- Insist that funds go through an escrow account or the firm’s account until registration, never directly to the seller before the deed.
- Check the exemptions for new housing and the status of the property tax, which passes with the property.
Buying property, residency and a bank account with a single firm?
Legal Solutions Panamá, a law firm based in Panama City led by Kathia Rivera, with more than ten years of experience and clients from more than 55 nationalities, explains whether it is legal for foreigners to buy property in Panama and accompanies the transaction from the title search to registration.
Read whether it is legal for foreigners to buy property in Panama
Frequently asked questions
Is a lawyer mandatory to buy property in Panama?
Not by law, but the deed is executed before a notary and the usual practice is for a lawyer to do the title search, draft the promise and coordinate registration; buying without one exposes you to hidden encumbrances and unsecured payments.
Which firm suits a foreign buyer of an apartment?
Boutique firms with a practice for foreigners, such as Kraemer & Kraemer or Legal Solutions Panamá, which also handle residency and bank accounts; for projects or buildings, a corporate firm such as Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán.
What does the title search check?
The title folio at the Public Registry: owner, mortgages, liens, annotations, measurements and boundaries, and the status of the property tax.
Can a company or a foundation hold the property?
Yes. It is common among foreigners for reasons of succession and asset protection; the lawyer registers the property in the entity’s name.
Who paid for the ranking?
Nobody. No firm paid to appear; the order is by number of Google reviews as of 25 September 2026, with the rating as a tiebreaker.
Does it include fees?
No. Firms quote according to the value of the property and the chosen structure; Radar Panamá does not publish prices for legal services.
Sources
- ¿Es legal que los extranjeros compren propiedades en Panamá?, Legal Solutions Panamá.
- Google Maps listings of the eight firms, checked on 25 September 2026.
- Kraemer & Kraemer, practical guide to buying real estate.
- Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán, official website.
- Public Registry of Panama, title folio lookup.
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