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Tag: Panama
Emigrating with the whole family – how does it work with the schools in Panama?
Panama is a popular emigration destination not only for retirees, digital nomads and young people, but also for families with children. The economic situation in Germany, political decisions and the faltering infrastructure of the education system are among the main reasons for the decision to emigrate. More and more families are turning their backs on their home countries and want to start a new life in an attractive nation. Have you decided on a future abroad with your family and would like to put your Plan B into action? We are your ideal contact and companion for your new life in Panama.
Panama offers decisive advantages for your Plan B
Panama is one of the most economically successful countries in Central America and boasts a stable infrastructure. The country is constantly growing economically and offers you and your family a high quality of life. If you realize your Plan B in Panama, you and your children can expect breathtaking nature, miles of secluded sandy beaches, incredible biodiversity and a warm and sunny climate all year round. Of course, the tax benefits are also a huge plus and the legal regulations for immigrating to Panama allow you to plan your life freely and independently. Another advantage is the mentality and impressive hospitality of the Panamanians. Their smile and politeness open your heart and make immigrating to Panama a pleasure right from the start.
Education system in Panama – What you should know
When you immigrate to Panama with your family, you not only benefit from the many amenities and advantages that your destination country has to offer. Of course, you also want your children to feel at home and your start in a new country to be as easy and pleasant as possible. Education is an important factor alongside a social environment, new friends and a safe and beautiful home. It lays the foundation for your children’s future and is certainly a decisive criterion for you when choosing your emigration destination.
Panama has been working on developing its education system for several years. There are now many excellent international schools with a high standard of education, particularly in Panama City. In these schools, children are often taught in several languages, which can be decisive for their future career opportunities.
Most degrees are now internationally recognized. Panama City has numerous faculties for natural sciences and technology. Medicine, law and international business are recognized courses of study that are highly regarded in Panama and globally. Specialized universities also include colleges of agricultural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts.
In Panama City and the surrounding regions, school attendance is free and compulsory for your children in public schools from the ages of 4 to 15. The first foundations for a successful start to school are already laid in the daycare centers. In so-called “clases”, the little ones learn their first colors, words and letters, a lot about traditions and the local nature in 25-minute sessions. There is no shortage of teachers in Panama City. The children are looked after in small, age-appropriate groups and taught lovingly and very creatively. In the city, groups with children of different nationalities and ethnicities are not uncommon, and your children will learn Spanish at an early age, which is very beneficial for settling in and makes immigrating to Panama easier.
When and how does school start in Panama?
Elementary school starts at the age of six. A normal school day begins at 8 am and ends at 3 pm. Depending on the school chosen, subjects such as mathematics, English, Spanish, natural sciences, social sciences, art and music are taught. As Panama is a very multicultural country, there are various offers and additional options such as ballet lessons, golf lessons, piano lessons and much more.
The school year usually starts at the beginning of March and ends in mid-December with the national summer vacation. You can decide individually which public or private school you would like to enrol your children in. Depending on the cultural background, there are different vacation days and in Panama there are even national holidays on which there are no lessons. International schools are essentially based on the usual vacations. However, there are also European schools in Panama that are also based on public vacations, vacations and days off, such as in Germany. You can find out about this locally or online.
One lesson lasts 60 minutes, a double lesson 2 hours. At the end of elementary school (Escuela Primera) after 6 years, you decide which secondary school your child should attend. In this way, you and your child can decide together what conditions they would like to create for a successful professional future.
One example of a reputable international school in Panama City is the “ISP”. Surrounded by several other schools, the foundations for an excellent and comprehensive education are laid here.
We set the course for your successful Plan B in Panama
Immigrating to Panama with children is not difficult. But the well-being of your family is of course your top priority, and this includes a smooth immigration process. This includes applying for a visa and finding a suitable property for your new home. Many people also need to find new sources of financial income so that they can cover their living costs. Choosing the right schools for your children is also important to make your move to Panama easier. You are welcome to clarify your questions in a qualified consultation with FRAPAN-Invest. We will be happy to provide you with all the important information on the following topics:
- Residence permits
- health insurance
- schools
- legal regulations
- lucrative investments
- Real estate in Panama
Our knowledge regarding those topics will ensure your successful new start in Panama. We are happy to provide you with a professional network of lawyers, VISA experts, brokers and consultants throughout the entire immigration process. Furthermore, we have been active for many years and are your experienced contact for visas and residency for emigrants – beyond the borders of Germany. Panama is the number 1 best country to immigrate to and the number 2 best real estate location in the world.
The most important visa types for Panama are:
- Friendly Nations Visa Panama
- Golden Investor Visa Panama
- Pensioner Visa Panama.
Leave nothing to chance when immigrating to Panama! Especially when making a new start with your family, no doubts or inconsistencies should overshadow your Plan B. Every important detail must be considered in advance so that no obstacles are placed in your way. This only works with a reputable and reliable partner at your side. We will guide you professionally through the entire bureaucratic process. We can also help you apply for your unrestricted residence permit in Panama. Benefit from our service and expertise and realize your dream of living in Panama with us!
FRAPAN-Invest
Klaus Happ’s company “FRAPAN-Invest” advises investors who want to invest in real estate in Panama. Furthermore, Klaus Happ will be happy to advise you personally on the subject of “Plan B in Panama”.
The real estate market in Panama is internationally one of the most interesting for investments. We would like to be your trusted local partner and assist you with the initial purchase. Additionally, we can take care of your real estate in Panama in a sustainable way.
Profitable, safe and beautiful:
Investments in Panama
Existing property vs. new build – it depends on what you want…
When deciding on a real estate investment in Panama, investors are faced with the choice between an existing property or a new build. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. In this article, we would like to take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of both investment options and help you find the ideal property for your Plan B in Panama.
Existing Property
Advantages:
- “Teething troubles” are well known: An existing property already has a history, and any defects or problems may have already been rectified. This means you can be sure that you know exactly what you are getting.
- Fast visa application possible: For investors who want to apply for a residence permit in Panama, an existing property offers certain advantages. Once you are registered in the land registry (this process usually takes 2-3 months with our tried and tested process), you can start the application for the Friendly Nations Visa or the Golden Investor Visa straight away.
Disadvantages:
- Older equipment and technology: Existing properties may have outdated equipment and technology. Depending on the age of the property, additional costs may be incurred for upgrades and repairs.
- Higher maintenance costs: As existing properties are already several years old, maintenance costs can be higher than for new builds.
New building
Advantages:
- New materials and technology: A new-build property offers the advantage of up-to-date materials and modern technology. This can lead to higher energy efficiency and lower operating costs.
- Modern “lifestyle” concept: New builds are often designed with modern amenities and a contemporary living concept to meet the needs of today’s residents.
- Lower maintenance costs: As the building is new, there are usually lower maintenance costs as all materials and systems are still in optimum condition.
Disadvantages:
- Delays, developer risk, etc.: The construction of a property can be associated with delays and risks. Depending on the reliability of the developer and other factors, unforeseen problems may arise.
- Visa application during the construction phase only with Golden Investor Visa: If investors wish to apply for a residence permit during the construction phase, they must consider the Golden Investor Visa, as the Friendly Nations Visa is not possible in these cases.
Conclusion: The choice between an existing property and a new build depends on the individual preferences and needs of the investor. Existing properties offer the advantage of known “teething troubles” and a potentially faster visa application process, while new builds offer modern materials and technology as well as a contemporary living concept. When choosing the right property in Panama, it is important to weigh up all the pros and cons.
Our company has extensive experience and a professional network of specialists in Panama. We will be happy to assist you in deciding and selecting the right property in Panama. We offer individual advice and a customized all-round service tailored to the needs of our clients.
FRAPAN-Invest
Klaus Happ’s company “FRAPAN-Invest” advises investors who want to invest in real estate in Panama. Furthermore, Klaus Happ will be happy to advise you personally on the subject of “Plan B in Panama”.
The real estate market in Panama is internationally one of the most interesting for investments. We would like to be your trusted local partner and assist you with the initial purchase. Additionally, we can take care of your real estate in Panama in a sustainable way.
Profitable, safe and beautiful:
Investments in Panama
Protests in Panama
Panama is a quiet and peaceful place to live. However, in July there were protests and street blockades, the likes of which have not been seen in over 30 years. In the meantime, the situation has returned to normal. Find our report on the background here.
In July, there were mass protests and street blockades all over the country. This was triggered by the increased cost of living and expensive energy prices, which the whole world is currently struggling with. This was joined by demonstrations against the ever-smouldering issue of corruption and other issues that are a thorn in people’s side. Basically, people in Panama like to demonstrate peacefully, but not in a way that affects the country’s transport system and infrastructure.
This time, however, the protests were more violent and partly deliberately organised by trade union groups (including the construction union), associations and other groups that wanted to fuel the mood and exploit it for their own benefit.
After all, presidential elections will be held in 2024 and the election campaign will start soon. This is where an unsettled mood and publicity-grabbing pictures in social media are to the advantage of one or the other. And if you then bring your own photographers into the crowd and create exaggerated images, you exaggerate the event in your favour.
The provinces of Chiriqui and Veraguas, which are located in the interior of the country, were the centre of the largest protests. Here there were some clashes with the police and complete road blockades of the Panamaericana, which is by far the most important traffic artery and connects the country.
In the capital Panama City, things were comparatively quiet. But the protests in the interior had a short-term impact on supplies in the supermarkets, because the country’s own products such as vegetables were stuck on the Panamericana.
The unanimous opinion of the people in Panama we spoke to is that protests (especially against corruption) are good as long as they remain peaceful and meaningful. But the protesters, who took to the streets for the “people”, have partly harmed themselves. Less well-stocked supermarket shelves and farmers and other traders who made huge losses and had to throw away their products.
At the beginning of the protests, the government had hidden and hoped that the problem would solve itself. But now the government has been sitting at the table with the different interest groups (and there are many of them…) for weeks to find solutions and compromises. The government has made several concessions, including subsidising fuel prices and “freezing” the prices of other staple foods. Negotiations are still ongoing, including on the prices of medical and pharmaceutical products.
The people responsible for stopping the trucks carrying food have now been arrested.
These protests cannot be compared to the violent protests in other countries in Central and South America. But they should be a warning to the government to tackle the problem of corruption in a targeted way and to distribute the country’s large revenues (from the Panama Canal, among other things) fairly and invest them sensibly (education and medical care for all strata of the population, etc.).
Extreme parties from the left and right have never had a chance in Panama, because the population is aware of the bad developments in other Latin American countries. This can also be assumed in the 2024 elections.
FRAPAN-Invest
Klaus Happ’s company “FRAPAN-Invest” advises investors who want to invest in real estate in Panama. Furthermore, Klaus Happ will be happy to advise you personally on the subject of “Plan B in Panama”.
The real estate market in Panama is internationally one of the most interesting for investments. We would like to be your trusted local partner and assist you with the initial purchase. Additionally, we can take care of your real estate in Panama in a sustainable way.
Profitable, safe and beautiful:
Investments in Panama