Asset ownership · succession · Latin America
Panama Company & Private Foundation
Panama is known for its private interest foundations and its role as a hub for the Americas. Structures today operate under transparency rules, so planning focuses on legitimate purpose and reporting.
Overview
Corporation (Sociedad Anónima)
Holding and trading vehicle.
Private interest foundation
Asset protection and succession planning.
Company in a special economic zone
For regional operations.
Good fit for
- Family asset and succession planning
- Holdings with Latin American activity
- Vessel and asset ownership
Limitations to plan for
- Resident agent and beneficial ownership records
- Accounting records and annual fees
- Tax position of the owners in their country of residence
Banking
Panamanian and regional banks expect detailed KYC and a clear link to the activity; accounts abroad are also common.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Panama formation
From €2,690
Usually part of formation
- Articles drafted and signed as a notarial deed
- Recording in the Public Registry
- Resident registered agent
- Apostilled corporate documents
Optional, quoted separately
- Nominee directors, if the provider accepts the case
- Translation of documents
- Bank-account application support
Every year
- State franchise tax
- Registered agent renewal
- Accounting records kept as required by law
Separate resident-agent renewal, statutory annual charges, accounting-record delivery and beneficial-owner updates. The BO law sets identification duties; it is not a full annual accounting calendar. Exact accounting deadlines and first-year versus renewal inclusions remain to be confirmed.
Steps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Review
Your activity, owners and goals are checked against this jurisdiction.
- 02
Proposal
Written scope with fees, exclusions and annual costs.
- 03
KYC and filing
Documents are collected and the provider files with the registry.
- 04
Handover
Company documents, then renewals and maintenance if you need them.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
- The resident agent collects beneficial-owner information for Panama's private unified register under Law 129.
- The statutory resident-agent role is performed by qualified Panamanian lawyers/law firms; BDA coordinates and is not the resident-agent law firm.
- Private-register status is not exemption from ownership identification, source-of-funds checks or competent-authority access.
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
Panama: review nominee directors individually, with authority, duties and required registers documented. A nominee is not the resident agent. No BDA annual director tariff or appointment commitment is confirmed.
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
Panama: a nominee shareholding does not remove the resident agent's beneficial-owner collection or the private unified register. Establish the natural-person control chain and document the legal shareholding arrangement.
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in Panama?
Corporation (Sociedad Anónima): Holding and trading vehicle. Private interest foundation: Asset protection and succession planning. Company in a special economic zone: For regional operations.
Can a Panama company open a bank account?
Panamanian and regional banks expect detailed KYC and a clear link to the activity; accounts abroad are also common. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a Panama company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.