Skip to content
Bordercase

Compare

Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 PA flagPanama

Central America & Caribbean

TR flagTürkiye

Europe

ES flagSpain

Europe

OverviewPanama is a long-established jurisdiction for residency and offshore company structures with a stable USD economy. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Panamanian lawyers and corporate-services partners.Türkiye offers a range of residency routes from short-term tourist residency to longer-term investor / family / work routes. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Turkish lawyers for filings.Spain offers structured EU residency routes for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs, including the digital nomad visa introduced under the Startups Law. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Spanish partners for filings.
Best for
  • Second residency
  • USD economy
  • Asset planning
  • Holding structures
  • Citizenship by investment
  • Cost of living
  • Regional residency
  • Families
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
CurrencyUSDTRYEUR
LanguageSpanishTurkishSpanish
Time zoneUTC-5UTC+3UTC+1
EU memberNoNoYes
SchengenNoNoYes
Residency

Panama residency routes:

  • Friendly Nations Visa - now requires economic tie (employment, real estate, or investment)
  • Qualified Investor Visa - qualifying investment thresholds
  • Pensionado / Retiree Visa - qualifying pension income
  • Family routes

Türkiye residency routes:

  • Short-term residence permit (1-2 years, renewable)
  • Family permit
  • Work permit - employer-sponsored
  • Student permit
  • Citizenship-by-investment via real estate or qualifying deposits / investments

Spanish residency routes:

  • Non-Lucrative Visa - passive income, no employment in Spain
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers and self-employed (Startups Law)
  • Self-Employed Visa
  • Entrepreneur Visa
  • EU citizen-derivative routes

The Golden Visa has been phased out for real estate purchases.

Company setup

Panamanian corporations (SA) and Private Interest Foundations are widely used. Beneficial ownership reporting, CRS / FATCA compliance, and substance discussions have become material; planning must reflect current standards.

Limited Şirket (LLC) and AŞ (Joint Stock) are common structures. Notary registration, tax registration, and a tax representative are typically required.

SL (Sociedad Limitada) is the standard private company. Registration involves NIE / NIF, notary, mercantile registry, and tax registration. Spanish tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the Beckham Law (special tax regime) may apply to eligible relocated workers.

Banking

Panamanian banking has tightened KYC and source-of-funds requirements. Non-resident applications take time; Bordercase coordinates introductions through current banking partners.

Personal banking for residents is broadly accessible; non-resident corporate banking has tightened. Source-of-funds and ownership clarity are central.

Personal banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.

Family

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. International schools (English-language and Spanish) are available in Panama City.

Family reunification is supported on most routes. International schools (English, German, French, Italian) are available in Istanbul and Ankara.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Panama:

  • Reputational / de-banking risks for poorly structured offshore-only setups
  • Tax residency analysis for clients with other obligations (CRS / FATCA)
  • Processing delays at Migration
  • UBO reporting is now active

Risks Bordercase watches for in Türkiye:

  • Restricted residency zones (some districts no longer issue short-term residency to foreigners)
  • Currency volatility on investment routes
  • Shifting policy on the citizenship-by-investment programme
  • Banking documentation requirements tighten regularly

Risks Bordercase watches for in Spain:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days + centre of interests
  • Beckham Law (special regime) eligibility
  • Autonomous-community tax variation
  • Hacienda audits when planning is unclear
  • Past Schengen overstays must be disclosed
Documents

Typical Panama documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Proof of economic tie (employment letter, property deed, or investment evidence)
  • Proof of address
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family

All documents apostilled and translated where required.

Typical Türkiye documents:

  • Passport
  • Biometric photos
  • Proof of address
  • Proof of income or savings
  • Health insurance
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family

Documents apostilled and translated to Turkish.

Typical Spanish residency documents:

  • Passport
  • NIE (foreigner identification number)
  • Criminal record certificate with apostille
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance with full cover in Spain
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.