Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

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.

Bahamian residency routes:

• Economic Permanent Residence - qualifying property investment
• Annual residence permits for HNW
• Work permits - employer-sponsored
• Family routes

Paraguay residency routes:

• Permanent residency via proof of solvency / qualifying income - the standard route
• Family inclusion on the main application

Physical-presence requirements are relatively low compared to other jurisdictions.

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

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.

IBCs (International Business Companies) are widely used; substance and reporting are now real. Funds and family-office structures are common.

SRL (Limited Liability) and SA (Joint Stock) structures are available; entity setup is well-supported by local partners. Substance and reporting requirements should be confirmed at 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.

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

Banking is selective and source-of-funds focused. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Personal banking for residents is accessible. Bordercase coordinates introductions and documentation prep.

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

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.

Family inclusion is supported on most routes. International schools are concentrated on New Providence.

Family inclusion on residency applications is supported. Schools (Spanish-language and limited international) are concentrated in Asunción.

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

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in the Bahamas:

• Economic substance reporting
• Property due diligence
• Reputational handling around offshore structures

Risks Bordercase watches for in Paraguay:

• Residency vs tax residency confusion
• Document apostille and translation requirements must be tracked carefully
• Some originating countries are subject to additional scrutiny
• Real-world banking outside Paraguay may not change because of Paraguayan residency

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

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

Typical Bahamian documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Health and police clearances
• Apostilled foreign documents

Typical Paraguay documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (origin country + any country of residence in last 5 years)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family
• Proof of income or solvency (savings / pension / business)

All documents apostilled and translated to Spanish.

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.