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Find out how Remote can guide you through the complexities of managing cross-border hiring, payroll, taxes, and compliance.

Employing in Panama

The Panamanian Labour Code of 1971 spells out provisions for employee protections and workers’ rights for Panama’s workforce of just under 2 million.

Employees in Panama enjoy protections against discrimination based on age, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, and race.

Common questions that could come up during the hiring process include the minimum wage, overtime rates, and guaranteed paid time off. Remote can help you offer a complete, competitive, and compliant benefits package to your employees in Panama.

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage is determined by activity, company size, and region. Salaries higher than the new minimum wage will remain valid.

Payroll Cycle

For customers of Remote, all employee payments will be made in equal semi-monthly instalments.

Wet Signature Requirement

Please note that Employment Agreements must be signed in Panama by a Panamanian national or legal resident. Documents cannot be signed digitally, they must be signed in wet-ink in the country. The document must be an original, so scanned signatures will not work.

Decimo Tercer Mes - 13th Pay

The 13th pay is mandatory in Panama and this payment accounts to one month of additional pay per year. It is paid out in three instalments over April, August, and December.

Onboarding Time

We can help you get a new employee started in Panama fast. The minimum onboarding time we need is only 6 working days.

Our team ensures your employees are onboarded and paid as quickly as possible while keeping your business compliant with all local employment legislation. The minimum onboarding time begins after the employee submits all required information onto the Remote platform. The onboarding timeline is also dependent upon registration with local authorities.

For all non-nationals of the country of employment, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) will add three extra days to the total time to onboard. There may be extra time required if we need to follow-up on the right to work assessment.

Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual first day of employment. Remote has a payroll cut-off date of the 10th of the month unless otherwise specified.

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14 Public holidays

Competitive benefits package in Panama

health_insurance
Health Insurance
dental_insurance
Dental Insurance
vision_insurance
Vision Insurance
mental_health_support
Mental health support
pension_or_401(k)
Pension or 401(K)
life_and_disability_insurance
Life and Disability Insurance

Facts & Stats

The Republic of Panama (República del Panama) is a unitary presidential republic split across North and South America and that’s home to the famed Panama hat, a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, and more biodiversity that the United States, Canada, and Europe combined.

Panama is a high-income economy with a strong performance in banking, commerce, tourism, and transportation, all of which has cemented its place as Latin America’s seventh strongest economy.

Capital City
Panama City
Currency
United States Dollar
Languages
Spanish
Population size
4,176,869
Ease of doing business
Easy
Payroll frequency
Semi-Monthly
VAT - standard rate
7%

Grow your team in Panama with Remote

Want to employ workers in Panama? Companies hiring in Panama are typically required to either own a local legal entity or work with a global employment platform like Remote that can legally provide employment services in the country.

Remote can employ team members in Panama and keep you compliant. Remote can hire, onboard, and pay your Panama team so you don't have to set up local HR services in the region. Remote also makes it easy to pay contractors in Panama. Sign up now to get started or talk to an expert for more details.

Risks of misclassification

Panama, like many other countries, treats self-employed individuals or contractors and full-time employees differently. Misclassification of contractors in Panama may lead to fines and penalties for the offending company.

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Transparent Pricing in Panama

Payroll

23

per employee/month
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  • Powerful, transparent international payroll
  • Simple self-service platform
  • Personalised support from dedicated specialists
  • Adhere to local payroll regulations in every country
  • Integrated payroll, expense management, and HRIS solution
Contractor Management

23

per contractor/month
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  • Only pay for contractors you actively work with
  • Work with international contractors
  • Create, edit, and sign tailored, localised contracts
  • Approve contractor invoices with one click or auto-pay
  • Transparent payments with complete visibility
Employer of Record

559 479

per employee/month
Book a demo
  • Hire without opening a local entity
  • Guided onboarding
  • Local payroll paid on time, every time
  • Built-in security and compliance
  • Flexible, localised benefits
  • Offer equity incentives with tax assistance
  • Dedicated experts for local support