What else do you need to know?

Legal residency gets the attention. But every move also needs a place to live, the right legal documents, and a plan for you / your family if something goes wrong. We help you be informed and set up all three, in the right order, before you book the flight.

Book my free planning call 30 minutes. No obligation. You leave with a checklist for your move.

Every relocation rests on three things

Skip one and the other two get harder. Here is what we cover with you.

Legal residency

Which residency category fits you, family and goals, which documents it requires, and how long each step really takes. What are your future plans and how you can align your immigration options.

A place to live

Renting first or buying, which neighborhoods match your budget and lifestyle, and how to avoid signing for a home you have never seen. Is your home aligned to your residency goals?

Legal documents and estate planning

Wills, powers of attorney and a clear plan for accidents or illness abroad, so your family is never left guessing in a foreign system. This needs to be aligned with your residency options and your estate.

The questions that keep people awake at night

Where do I live in the first month, before I know the country?
Can I work or have a business on my residency?
Can my legal residency application be rejected?
What about all the documents i need? Are they included?
If I have an accident abroad, who can legally act for me, and does my home-country will even count?
Am I missing a step that everyone else seems to know about?
I know AI makes things seemingly so easy, but i've noticed immigration is not clear-cut. What else do i need to know?

These are a few normal fears, and each one has a clear answer. The people who struggle are rarely the ones who lacked money. They are the ones who found out about a missing document or an unplanned gap too late.

How it works

Free planning callTell us where you are going, who is coming with you and when. We map your situation across residency, housing and legal documents.
Your personal move planYou'll learn about the best personal setup, a sequenced plan: what to do, in which order, with realistic timelines and costs.
White glove executionWe carry out each step, and as a licensed lawfirm and brokerage we can act as licensed local professionals where the law requires them.

Start with the free call

Our promise: clarity or you pay nothing

The planning call is free. If you finish it without a clearer picture of your legal residency path, your housing options and the documents you need, you owe us nothing and you keep the knowledge.

You stay in control of every decision. We never pressure you to commit, and we tell you plainly when a path is not right for you.

Since we are licensed in all fields, all services stay in house. With that the responsibility stays in-house and there is never a referrer involved taking over any pieces, eliminating creating extra risk on your end.

What people say

Well, we were already in Panama and decided to get residency. It was a complete hands-off service, getting all needed paperwork in record time. We were submitted within 3 weeks. Incredible service. We've had a situation with a previous lawyer at which no responsibility was taken, as parts of the service was outsourced to other professionals. People, go with a firm that has all in-house. You'll be happy on the long run.

Learning about how real estate relates to residency, your future plans and estate planning, kept my family secure for anything that might happen to me in the future. We ended up being a qualified investor and got immediate permanent residency.

I would like to say that my experience moving to Panama has been excellent with the guidance and service from Expat-Tations. Everyone is so helpful, informative, and they go above and beyond to make sure that their client is well taken care of. I want to especially commend my Realtor. Ismael, who he and his girlfriend, Paola have truly welcomed me to Panama.

Click here to read more reviews we've collected over the last few years

Common questions

Do I need legal residency before I move?

It depends on the country and on how long you plan to stay. We explain your options on the call so you do not stay, or leave, on the wrong terms. A lawyer though is needed in Panama to submit your residency application

Why do I need legal documents and possibly estate planning to move abroad?

Assets, property and family now sit across two legal systems. Without local-ready documents, an accident or illness can leave loved ones unable to access accounts or make decisions. A basic plan costs far less than fixing this later. Knowing all your options is important.

Can you help me find a place to live?

Yes. We help you decide between short-term rental, long-term rental and buying, and what to check before you pay a deposit. Our real estate arm Expat-Tations Real Estate offers a recent list of some of the properties we have available.

Is Expat-Tations a law firm or a brokerage?

Yes, we are a licensed Law Firm, as well as a licensed brokerage under one brand, with only licensed professionals working under it.

What does the call cost?

Nothing. It is free and carries no obligation.

Get your free planning call

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