Tax Atlas

Malta vs Panama: tax comparison for expats & nomads

A sourced head-to-head on Malta and Panama: tax-residency rules, income tax rates, special regimes and nomad visas, side by side. Income tax only, not tax advice.

Effective income tax by income

An effective-rate comparison for this pair isn’t available yet (one country’s full bracket table is still being verified). The sourced fact comparison below still applies — and the interactive tool covers every modelled country.

Malta vs Panama, side by side

 MaltaPanama
Top income tax rate35%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“ranging from 0% to 35%. The 35% tax bracket is reached at annual chargeable income in excess of EUR 60,000”View source · accessed 2026-08-2125%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“Over 50,000 | Tax on column 1 (USD): 5,850 | Tax on excess (%): 25”View source · accessed 2026-09-18
Tax-residency day threshold183 daysOECD (AEOI) - Malta Information on Residency for tax purposes“individuals who spend more than six months in Malta in a calendar year are likely to be Maltese tax residents”View source · accessed 2026-08-21183 daysPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“A resident is a person who is physically located and has been generating income in Panama for more than 183 days during the year.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18
Signature tax regimeGlobal Residence Programme (15%): 15%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“foreign-source income remitted to Malta by the beneficiary or its dependants being taxed at a flat rate of 15%, subject to a minimum tax of EUR 15,000 per annum”View source · accessed 2026-08-21NonePwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“There are no inheritance, estate, or gift taxes in Panama.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18
Digital nomad visaYes — Nomad Residence PermitKPMG Malta“The permit is issued for one year and can be renewed for up to four years.”View source · accessed 2026-08-21Yes — Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto (Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers)Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá“Decreto Ejecutivo No. 198 / Que crea la Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto, y se dictan otras disposiciones.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18
Nomad-visa income requirementEUR 42,000 / yearResidency Malta Agency - Nomad Residence Permit“an applicant must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000. Applicants who submitted their application prior to 1st April 2024 will still retain the same annual gross income requirement of €32,400”View source · accessed 2026-08-21[source]Galindo, Arias & López“un monto anual no menor a US$36,000.00 (US$3,000.00 mensuales), o su equivalente en moneda extranjera”View source · accessed 2026-09-18

Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Malta · Panama.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malta or Panama better for tax?

It depends on your income, residency status and which special regime you qualify for. Compare the residency rules, rates and regimes side by side below, and use the interactive tool for your own income.

Which has the lower tax-residency threshold, Malta or Panama?

Malta treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and Panama after 183 days. But ties like a home, family or economic centre can trigger residency on fewer days — never rely on a day count alone.

Does Malta or Panama have a digital nomad visa?

Malta has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa (income requirement around EUR 42,000 / year); Panama has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa. See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.

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