Tax Atlas

Panama vs United Kingdom: tax comparison for expats & nomads

A sourced head-to-head on Panama and United Kingdom: 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.

Panama vs United Kingdom, side by side

 PanamaUnited Kingdom
Top income tax rate25%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“Over 50,000 | Tax on column 1 (USD): 5,850 | Tax on excess (%): 25”View source · accessed 2026-09-1845%HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)“Additional rate over £125,140 45%”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Tax-residency day threshold183 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 2026-09-18183 daysHM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)“you spent 183 or more days in the UK in the tax year”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Signature tax regimeNonePwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“There are no inheritance, estate, or gift taxes in Panama.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18FIG regime (ex-non-dom): 4 yearsHM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)“On 6 April 2025 the 4-year foreign income and gains regime replaced the remittance basis”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Digital nomad visaYes — 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 2026-09-18No
Nomad-visa income requirement[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: Panama · United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

Is Panama or United Kingdom 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, Panama or United Kingdom?

Panama treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and United Kingdom 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 Panama or United Kingdom have a digital nomad visa?

Panama has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa; United Kingdom has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.

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