Executive Decree 16/2026 (Panama)
Panamanian decree of 31 August 2026 adding Ecuador to the Friendly Nations residence list.
Executive Decree 16 of 31 August 2026 put Ecuador on Panama's Friendly Nations list, opening two years of provisional residence to Ecuadorians backed by a Panamanian job, US$200,000 or more in property, or a three-year deposit.
Last refreshed: 4 October 2026
Can Ecuadorians now use Panama's Friendly Nations residence route?
Timeline for Executive Decree 16/2026 (Panama)
Mentioned in: Brazil moves nomad visas to e-visa only
Nomads & CommunitiesBackground
Executive Decree 16, issued through Panama's Ministry of Public Security on 31 August 2026, added the Republic of Ecuador to the countries whose nationals may use the Friendly Nations permanent-residence route. It ran in Gaceta Oficial Digital No. 30601-B the same day.
It amends Executive Decree 416 of 13 June 2012, which created the regime, as already amended by Executive Decrees 197 of 7 May 2021 and 226 of 20 July 2021. Ecuadorians now follow the same PATH as other listed nationals: provisional residence first, then permanent status, with a job at a Panamanian company, real estate valued at US$200,000 or more, or a deposit of that size locked for three years.
The decree touches only the list of eligible countries. Eight days later Executive Decree 17/2026 reset the separate Qualified Investor route, whose thresholds this decree leaves alone.