Professional Services & Technology

In short: credit transfer, called "convalidación" in Panama, means a university recognizes courses already passed elsewhere. According to the oversight form of the Technical Commission for Academic Development (CTDA) that quotes Executive Decree 539 of 2018, credits can be transferred only up to a maximum of 60% of the study plan of the university doing the recognition. The Universidad Latina de Panamá website adds that courses must be equivalent in credits, content, level and duration, within the same academic degree level, with a minimum grade of C (71) for bachelor's programs and B (81) for graduate programs. Updated October 2026.…

In short: A used car's history in Panama does not come from a single report: it is built from several checks. The Panama City Mayor's Office lets owners look up plate status and vehicle obligations, the law requires the previous municipality's clearance for second-hand cars, and the transfer asks for the current-year inspection certificate. According to the ASSA Market website, the "Buen historial" badge means the car has no reported claims in its last 5 years insured with ASSA. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide What makes up a car's history Panama City Mayor's Office lookups What the…

In short: The beneficial owner of a Panamanian company is the natural person who, directly or indirectly, owns it, controls it or exercises significant influence over it. The company does not file that data: its resident agent, a lawyer or law firm, records it in a private system run by the Superintendency of Non-Financial Subjects (SSNF). According to the consolidated text of Law 129 of 2020, registration is due within fifteen business days of the company's registration, and access is limited to competent authorities. Law text reviewed in October 2026. Contents of this guide What the register is and who…

In short: installing air conditioning in a commercial space in Panama is a seven-stage project and not just buying a unit. According to the Climatiza website, the stages run from the site survey and thermal load calculation to the technical proposal, execution, commissioning, documented handover and follow-up. The two that weigh most, according to the company, are the load calculation and the handover with drawings and a maintenance plan. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide The short answer The seven stages, one by one What kind of project it is What a technical proposal should include Installation errors…

In short: a technology company sets up in a Panama free zone with an established company license, which the National Free Zones Commission approves within a maximum of ninety days under Law 32 of 2011. The path runs through choosing the activity category, holding the zone promoter's certification, filing the application through a lawyer with the study and documents required by Executive Decree 62 of 2017, and then meeting the investment and employment deadlines. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide Which category fits a technology company The steps, in order Who does what After the license Foreign staff…

In short: A travel insurer and an airline do not pay for the same things. The airline answers for transport, under whatever law applies to the flight. The insurance answers for the events and limits its policy sets. According to the ASSA Travel website, its plans include trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delay from 12 hours, with different limits in Silver, Gold, Platinum and Europe. Plan data read in October 2026. Contents of this guide Who pays for what The published limits by plan Four scenarios and who answers What the airline owes in Europe What to check before…

In short: updated October 13, 2026. The earthquake of Friday, October 9 struck at 12:56 p.m. Panama time, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured it at magnitude 7.7; other official sources and media use 7.5. According to the SINAPROC tally as of October 12, 7,480 people are affected across nine provinces, and the United Nations records no deaths. This guide covers what happened, where to ask for help, which health facilities changed their services and how to donate only through verified channels. Contents of this guide What happened: magnitude, time and place Official tally of damage and affected people…

In short: updated on 13 October 2026. The surge of interest in the Social Security Fund has a verifiable cause: the earthquake of Friday 9 October damaged the institution's facilities, and the CSS announced a 90-day plan to keep medical care and pension payments going. According to Telemetro, the next payments to retirees and pensioners are Monday 19 October by bank transfer (ACH) and Tuesday 20 October by cheque. Contributions are checked in Mi Caja Digital, and appointments now depend on which facilities remain open. Contents of this guide What changed: the earthquake and the 90-day plan Payments to retirees…

In short: updated on 13 October 2026. According to Executive Decree No. 49 of 2025, published in the Official Gazette, Panama's 2026 school year ends with classes on Friday 11 December and closes with a balance and graduation week from 14 to 18 December. The calendar applies to public and private schools, runs 42 weeks and is split into three terms with two one-week breaks. For 2027, La Estrella reported that Executive Decree No. 43 set the start of classes for Monday 1 March. Contents of this guide 2026 school calendar dates End of the school year and year-end break…

In short: according to the ASSA Travel website, the travel insurance accepts insured people from 6 months to 80 years old; from 71 to 80 a surcharge applies and the medical expense coverage drops to 50% of the plan amount. The general conditions define a pre-existing condition with a 2-year window for treatment and symptoms and a 5-year window for hospitalizations or surgery. The US CDC recommends that people over 75 start looking for specialized policies early. Updated October 2026. Contents of this guide Maximum age and what changes from 71 Table by age bracket How much is left in…

In short: Selling a car privately in Panama takes three things in order: paperwork in good standing, a written contract and a verified payment before the keys change hands. According to the ASSA Market website, posting the listing is free, there are no sales commissions, and the site offers a guide and a sample contract. The transfer registers the change of owner with the Municipality and the ATTT, and the Panama City Mayor's Office lists the Single Vehicle Ownership Registry and the current-year inspection certificate among its requirements. Updated in October 2026. Contents of this guide What to have ready…

In short: A foreign public document to be used in Panama is apostilled in the country that issued it, if that country is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, and is translated into Spanish when it is in another language. Panama has been a party since August 4, 1991. Updated in October 2026. If the country of origin is not a party, the route goes through consular legalization. In the other direction, a Panamanian document for use abroad is apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIRE), with an online request for the electronic apostille. Contents of this guide…