Move to Panama: Expat Guide on Visas, Healthcare, and Learning Spanish
You know those screensavers that look like paradise? Almost too beautiful to be real?
That’s how American David Gold describes the beaches of Panama, a place he’s called home for the last 11 years. But this Central American country is not all sand.
“I think people are surprised a lot by the skyline,” David says of Panama City. “Of the 25 tallest buildings in Latin America, I think it has 15 or 20 of them. So it's huge. It looks like a very modern city.”
Many international companies keep their regional headquarters in Panama, good for expats looking for a corporate gig. And remote workers will be happy with the strong wifi and coworking spaces.
Done working? Panama is perfect for retirees, who receive generous benefits when they settle in the country.
On the Postcard Academy podcast, David and I talk about how to move to Panama as an expat: healthcare, housing, visas.
And if you’re moving there, of course you’ll want to learn Spanish. Lucky for you, David founded the Casco Antiguo Spanish School in Panama City’s beautiful and lively historic district. They also offer courses online, so if you’re stuck at home waiting for the corona pandemic to end, now is the time to get crackin’ on your language skills.
Listen to the Postcard Academy to hear all of David’s advice on how to move to Panama as an expat.
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David and students at Casco Antiguo Spanish School. During non-corona times, the school runs all sorts of extracurricular activities to improve your Spanish, from happy hours and bike tours to volunteering. Right now, you can still attend Spanish classes online — how convenient is that?? Photo courtesy of David.
Resources mentioned in the episode
If you found this article useful, please share it, and subscribe to the Postcard Academy podcast. Each week, expats and adventurers share their insider travel tips on the best food, nightlife, and cultural experiences in the most interesting places around the globe. I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American who's spent the last 10 years living in, and traveling around, Europe.