Panama Health Insider!
Octuber 21, 2025 Edition
Hello Expat Community,
Welcome to your weekly briefing from the Panama Health Insider. This edition focuses on a major regional health initiative to tackle noncommunicable diseases, a new report on improving kidney patient care in Colón, and Panama’s consistently strong economic forecast. For our expat-specific news, we look at the essentials of buying property here, including visa and tax updates.
Here is your weekly summary of the news you need to know.
Weekly Summary: Key News for Expatriates
1. PAHO Approves New Regional Plan to Combat Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
- The News: Health authorities from the Americas, including Panama, have approved a new 2025–2030 Action Plan by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to prevent and control Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)—such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. This is a critical step, as NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability in the region. The plan emphasizes integrating NCD management into primary health care and strengthening surveillance.
- What This Means for You: This initiative aims to improve public health management of chronic illnesses common among expats and locals alike. For those managing long-term conditions, the commitment to better integration of NCD care into the overall health system should lead to improved screening, diagnosis, and long-term care quality over the coming years, potentially improving your treatment experience across the board.
- Source Link: Health authorities approve plan to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases... - PAHO/WHO
2. IMF Forecasts Strong and Consistent Economic Growth for Panama
- The News: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a new forecast predicting Panama's economy will grow at a robust 4% annually for the next two years (2025 and 2026). This rate is significantly higher than the projected regional average for the Americas and the Caribbean (around 2.4%). The report also noted that Panama’s inflation rate is dipping into negative territory, a stark contrast to global trends.
- What This Means for You: Sustained economic growth suggests continued stability and opportunity in the Panamanian market, which is excellent for business owners, investors, and professionals working here. The low to negative inflation rate means that your cost of living, which is already competitive, is not being eroded by rising prices as aggressively as in other countries.
- Source Link: Panama Economy Forecast For Robust Growth
3. Key Updates for Expats Buying Property in Panama
- The News: A recent guide for expats on property acquisition highlighted key updates for 2025: To obtain residency via a real estate investment, the minimum property purchase remains $300,000 USD (Note: this is scheduled to increase to $500,000 USD after October 15, 2026). The guide also reiterates that Panama taxes are territorial, meaning only income derived from Panamanian sources is subject to local taxes.
- What This Means for You: If you are considering the Qualified Investor Program for residency through real estate, the current $300k threshold offers a critical time window before the expected increase in late 2026. Furthermore, the territorial tax system remains a significant financial draw, meaning your foreign-sourced income is not taxed locally, which is a major advantage for retirees and remote workers.
- Source Link: Buying Property in Panama: A Guide for US Retirees & Expats - Bright!Tax
Offers & Promotions
💄 Skincare Fridays at Arrocha
- From October 1 to December 31, 2025, enjoy 25% off all dermo-cosmetic products every Friday at Farmacias Arrocha.
- Product availability may vary by store. Offer does not apply to Institut Esthederm, Cetaphil, or combined with other promotions or discounts.
Spotlight Analysis – Deep Dive
The Future of Medical Cannabis Regulation in Panama
Panama is making slow but steady progress in regulating medical cannabis, a topic that carries significant interest among the expat community, particularly for chronic pain management. Our deep dive this week reviews the current legislative hurdles, the potential for licensed dispensaries, and how approved patients can currently access products.
Please read the full analysis on our website: Panama's Medical Cannabis Law 242: Bureaucracy Halts Patient Access
Closing Note
Thank you for reading the Panama Health Insider. We hope this update helps you navigate life in Panama with confidence.
Did you miss an important piece of news? You can catch up on all our previous health and economic briefings.
Read Past Editions Here: https://newsletter.panamalifehub.com/
Warmly,
The Panama Health Insider Team
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