Most Panama charter businesses use a sociedad anónima (S.A.) or a sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (S. de R.L.), formed through a Panamanian lawyer as resident agent. The company then gets its aviso de operación on Panamá Emprende, its RUC and its municipal registration. A foreigner can own it outright, but working in it needs a permit.
S.A., S. de R.L. or persona natural
| Form | Who it suits | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Sociedad anónima (S.A.) | Most operators, including foreign-owned ones | Panama's standard operating company. The live Panama City startup guide covers the basics: directors (who may be foreigners), a resident agent who is a Panamanian lawyer, registration at the Registro Público. |
| Sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (S. de R.L.) | Partners who want a simpler partnership-style company | Ley 4 of 2009 requires at least two partners, a resident agent who must be a lawyer or law firm, and limits each partner's liability to their contribution. |
| Persona natural (sole trader) | Very small activities, often Panamanian residents | You can hold an aviso de operación in your own name, but there is no company between the business and your personal assets. |
For a business that carries paying passengers, a company is the sensible default. Your lawyer will also advise on the beneficial-owner and know-your-client filings that come with any Panamanian company.
The resident agent
Every Panamanian company has a resident agent, a lawyer or law firm. Under Ley 2 of 2011 the agent must identify the client and verify that identity, understand the purpose of the company, and supply information to the authorities when required to prevent money laundering. A summary by the Kraemer & Kraemer law firm notes that if the client has a justified delay, the agent has 30 days after starting the service to obtain the documents.
Expect to provide passports, proof of address, bank or professional references and a description of the business. Tell the lawyer plainly that the company will run passenger boats for tourism: it shapes the corporate purpose, the aviso and the bank account.
Aviso de operación on Panamá Emprende
The aviso de operación is the notice that lets you trade. It is issued online through Panamá Emprende, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries' platform. You describe the activity, make a sworn declaration that you meet the rules for it, and receive the notice electronically.
- Describe the activity precisely: marine tourist transport, boat rental, sport-fishing charters. The aviso does not replace ATP or AMP paperwork; the ATP lists it as one of its requirements.
- The annual aviso tax. A La Prensa tax column describes it as 2% of the business's net capital, minimum B/.100, maximum B/.60,000, with capital under B/.10,000 exempt, declared in the income tax return. Confirm with your accountant.
- Each establishment may need its own aviso; ask if you run an office and a separate base.
- Closing down means cancelling the aviso and the CSS and municipal registrations, and filing a final return within 30 days, per the same column.
RUC, DGI and the Municipio de Panamá
RUC. The Registro Único de Contribuyente identifies the business to the DGI, for municipal taxes and for the Caja de Seguro Social. With it you register for ITBMS at 7% on your services and for income tax. New taxpayers are expected to issue electronic invoices; see bookings, deposits and payments.
Municipal registration. A business operating in the district of Panama also registers with the Municipio de Panamá's treasury and pays municipal tax on its activity. The rate depends on the activity classification in the municipal tax schedule. Ask the municipal treasury, or your accountant, how marine tourism is classified before you budget; in other districts (Taboga, Bocas del Toro, Pedasí) the local municipality applies its own schedule.
CSS. Register as an employer before the first employee starts.
Foreign owners and the work-permit question
Owning a Panamanian company as a foreigner is straightforward. Working in it is a separate question. Captaining your own boat, selling at the dock or managing staff is work, and work in Panama needs the right immigration status and, usually, a work permit from the Ministerio de Trabajo (MITRADEL).
- La Estrella's 2025 summary of MITRADEL requirements lists, among others, a job offer or contract with a Panamanian company, an apostilled criminal record, a health certificate, and company documents such as the aviso de operación and a Registro Público certificate.
- Panamá América reported in 2023 that a MITRADEL decree created a self-employment permit for citizens of countries with close ties to Panama. Check whether it fits you.
- Separately, the AMP decides whether you hold a licence to captain commercial trips; a US licence is not automatically valid.
Settle this with an immigration lawyer before you plan to run trips yourself.
The order that avoids rework
Company, then bank account, then aviso and RUC, then municipal and CSS registration, then the vessel and ATP files. The rest of the chain is in how to start a boat charter business in Panama and charter licensing in Panama.
Your practical starting checklist
- Choose S.A. or S. de R.L. with a Panamanian lawyer, and describe the business as passenger boat tourism.
- Provide the resident agent's know-your-client documents and form the company.
- Open the business bank account early.
- Get the aviso de operación on Panamá Emprende for the exact activity.
- Register the RUC, ITBMS, municipal tax and CSS employer account.
- If you are a foreigner who will work in the business, settle residence, work permit and AMP licence first.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a charter company in Panama?
Yes. A sociedad anónima can be wholly foreign-owned. Working in it yourself needs the right immigration status and usually a MITRADEL work permit.
Is an S. de R.L. better than an S.A. for a charter?
Both limit liability. An S. de R.L. needs at least two partners under Ley 4 of 2009; the S.A. is the more common operating company. Your lawyer will advise on cost and governance.
Does the aviso de operación replace the ATP licence?
No. The aviso lets you trade; marine tourism also needs AMP vessel registration and ATP registration, and the ATP asks for the aviso as part of its file.
Do I pay municipal tax as well as DGI taxes?
Yes. Businesses register with the municipality where they operate and pay municipal tax on their activity, in addition to ITBMS, income tax and the aviso tax.
¿Cómo saco el aviso de operación para turismo náutico?
En línea en Panamá Emprende, con la sociedad ya inscrita. Describa la actividad con precisión, por ejemplo transporte turístico marítimo o alquiler de embarcaciones. El aviso no sustituye el registro en la ATP ni la inscripción de la nave en la AMP.
En español: la sociedad y el aviso de operación
La mayoría de los operadores usa una sociedad anónima o una S. de R.L., con un abogado panameño como agente residente. Después se obtiene el aviso de operación en Panamá Emprende, el RUC en la DGI y la inscripción en el Municipio. Un extranjero puede ser dueño de la sociedad, pero para trabajar en ella necesita estatus migratorio y, normalmente, permiso de trabajo del MITRADEL.
The next question to answer
Where the company fits in the chain. Read How to start a boat charter business in Panama.
The local layer at Amador. Read Starting a charter business in Panama City.
The next file after the aviso. Read ATP tourism operator registration.
Official resources
Use the relevant Panamanian authority for current requirements and fees. These resources are the next place to check; a practical recommendation is not an agency determination.
- Ley 4 de 2009, sociedades de responsabilidad limitada (Órgano Judicial, CENDOJ) ↗
- Kraemer & Kraemer: Law 2 of 2011 on knowing the client of a legal entity (secondary, law-firm summary) ↗
- La Prensa: notas tributarias al obtener un aviso de operación (opinion column, Aug 2025, secondary) ↗
- La Estrella de Panamá: requisitos para que los extranjeros trabajen legalmente en Panamá (Jul 2025, secondary) ↗
- Panamá América: crean permiso de trabajo para extranjeros por cuenta propia (Mar 2023, secondary) ↗