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Liberation Travel Hacks 04/2025
Many people who live in the EU and don't travel much outside the EU are losing their self-reflection and don't see what's happening in the EU (read below).
And they desperately defend it at all costs (at least as the "least evil" because anything else would be "worse").
What is much worse is that they label all those who dare to criticize European socialism with its increasingly totalitarian practices as Russian trolls and purveyors of Russian propaganda.
Russia is a desperate totalitarian country, but that does not by any means mean that the EU is going in the 'right direction'. And that there is no need to rebuke it. Especially if you were born there and can reflect on its unfortunate direction.
The EU is collapsing economically in real terms, and it is not just because of the war in Ukraine. It is because of ultra-European socialism, which taxes everything that moves and subsidises everything that stops moving. This implements the extortionate practices of totalitarian countries like Venezuela (the transaction tax in Slovakia is nothing but god-awful extortion). This imposes totalitarian practices like censorship, spying on the population and completely controlling their financial transactions (CBDC), banning anonymity, bizarre house raids for having a weird opinion on social media, etc.
Plus, everyone finds it normal within European collectivism to introduce conscription - and to fight and defend the (European) socialist homeland!
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By the way, this came typically to people even in the old days of the socialist Eastern Block of Europe.
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Yet, you only need to visit a few countries outside the EU to learn that things can work much better.
People write daily to tell me how pleasantly surprised they were to visit Asunción in Paraguay. Not only does everything work, but there are also better, better quality, and cheaper restaurants than, for example, in Bratislava. Even some banks there have gone straight from the Middle Ages to the future.
In Panama, I just finished my analysis of crypto services. I have to say that it is a crypto-friendly country in terms of crypto services, crypto-friendly legislation (0% tax on Crypto), crypto-friendly Panamanian banks or Bitcoin ATM infrastructure, which was started by Slovak Peter Bešina, who broke his stick over the EU because of nonsense like MiCA and moved his entire crypto business to Panama.
We can only dream about this in the EU, and thanks to the MiCA legislation, nothing like this will happen in the EU for years to come. The EU is completely dead as far as Crypto is concerned, and ECB chief Lagarde is hallucinating that the ECB will never accept Bitcoin and is instead launching a totalitarian, spying digital euro along the lines of Big Brother China.
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Uruguay is another fine example of a country where the level of democracy and freedom is higher than anywhere in the EU. There is no censorship(!), you can buy weed as a resident in any pharmacy (for which you face criminalisation in most EU countries and jail in Slovakia), and you can marry or adopt children as a homosexual/lesbian there. At the same time, new companies here have a 10-year tax holiday.
We can only dream about all this in many EU countries.
Despite all this, there is still a sentiment in the EU, divorced from reality, that the socialist EU may have bugs, but it is the best we have! No, it isn't.
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Pavol Lupták, 1.4.2025, Panama City
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Slovakia
When will it be time to pack up and get out?
Historically, the best strategy against oppressive, parasitic state systems has been to leave immediately. When a country turns into a dictatorship, it spoils life in that country not for years, but for decades or generations. The next time may not be the same as in the past, but the basic features of a decaying society rhyme. Here are my criteria for when it will be time for me to drop out:
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1. Politicians identify the enemy who is to blame for our shitty lives - Roma, immigrants, Ukrainians, gays, Jews, the rich, liberals or capitalists. I don't know who it will be, but I know it will be a minority. Life is complex, and political communication is primitive. To govern successfully, people need to be divided. Good vs. evil, us vs. them. It's a prehistoric political ploy to appease the majority voter. He then doesn't have to find fault with himself and improve the world by first dumbing down his own life. That is arduous and painful. "They are to blame for our failures!" We are automatically the better ones by pointing the finger at the bad guys. This, in turn, is very pleasant. Through political alchemy, the ruling class's power is distilled from the weakness of the masses. This principle is an essential source of power in any democracy. Therefore, I consider this condition fulfilled only if politicians make a group of "enemies of the state" second-class citizens, even formally, in law.
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2. Imposing barriers to leaving the country - whether by body or property. There is no better signal that state abuse will follow when politicians restrict their people from voting with their feet and money. I do not have a master, nor am I an animal in a zoo to ask permission to go out.
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3. Radical expropriation or taxation. Usually, it is property since there is more of it, and it can't escape as quickly as income. This can be imposing a high property tax, bank deposits, or any form of monetary "reform". Suppressing freedom is an expensive business. Society pays the price in a dramatic decline in living standards. At the same time, 'our people' need to be fed. Someone has to pay for that, which is why, sooner or later, there is always looting.
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4. The entry of a foreign army or the indirect control of the local government by a foreign dictatorship.
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If one of these criteria is met, it's a good idea to start packing; if two are met, I'll have to believe my eyes and get out.
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At Nethemba, we have allowed our clients to avoid the new transaction tax and offer a 4% discount on all our services if they pay us with stablecoin.
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There has never been a better opportunity for Slovak companies to switch to stablecoins than right now, when traditional banking transactions are becoming subject to a new transaction tax!
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I wonder what kind of gigantic lobby the card companies spent on the Slovak government to exempt them from the transaction tax. Slovakia will probably be the only country where private companies from 1.4 strongly prefer card payments to avoid transaction tax. Everywhere else in the world, it is the other way around. Outside the EU, paying an extra % for card transactions is common. And bank transfers are always cheaper.
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UK
EU
The EU is becoming more entrenched:
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USA
Trump's legislation argues that they are only deporting criminals, but many of these people have already served a lawful sentence or paid a fine.
I don't buy the collectivist argument - "they're there illegally and are breaking existing law". Jews were also in Slovakia illegally 82 years ago, but that doesn't mean we had the right to deport them (to their deaths).
Latinos are integrated into the American economy, and deporting them will hurt not only them but also Americans themselves, who will lose the cheap labor and services these people provide.
These nationalist, collectivist games of "us legal citizens" and "bad illegals," played not only by Trump but by all nationalist politicians, are really to be condemned if you are a consistent libertarian and view each person as an individual being.
It's not the state, but the people themselves, neighbors or employers, who should decide whether or not they want to accept their new neighbor who immigrated to the country.
The state should have no say in whether I employ a Ukrainian gardener in my house or a Ukrainian programmer in my company. Some immigrants' work permits are part of the state's collectivist game - "we EU citizens" and "those others outside the EU who need special permits from us".
I can't imagine that a Trump voter who supports the deportation of illegal immigrants would be able to say to his illegal Mexican courier who brings him pizza every day, or to his illegal Salvadoran plumber - "Go back to Mexico, we don't want you here!"And, of course, the Slovaks are the same hypocrites. They declare that Ukrainians should finally go back home, but of course, they will never tell their excellent Ukrainian dentist or Ukrainian Uber driver to their face.
They delegate it to their nationalist politician. Similar to what American voters do through their President.
And I'm not a progressive liberal - immigrants certainly don't need to be supported by state money stolen from taxpayers (as some EU countries do)
However, every immigrant should be allowed to show what they have to offer and see if they can integrate into society and benefit it.
They need to be given the opportunity for a new life (which is what any human being should be given, regardless of where they were born and their passport).
I have visited more than 100 countries and have not found a country whose people are not helpful or whose society is not benefiting.
Almost everyone deserves the right to a better life, regardless of where they were born or what useless passport they has.
And you who were lucky and born with a sound passport:
Don't be a victim of the state's collectivist games of "we EU citizens" and "the others", whom we overwhelm with endless bureaucracy and pointless permits.
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Ukraine
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The war in Ukraine is terrible. Russia has suspended compulsory mobilization and is allowing Russian men to leave the country; unlike Ukraine, it has the means to pay professional mercenaries. The Ukrainians don't have the means to do that, so they force Ukrainian men into the war. While you may take the purely utilitarian view that this is 'necessary' in times of war, it does not change the fact that it is starkly immoral and constitutes modern slavery in the 21st century.
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A Ukrainian blogger has described in detail Ukraine's Operation Safari - an immoral hunt for people trying to escape from Ukraine that is reminiscent of slave catching in the Middle Ages. Dozens of Ukrainians have died at the border trying to escape.
Drones and helicopters patrol the borders, comparable to North Korea or East Berlin. The bribe to leave Ukraine is at least USD 20,000 (my Ukrainian friends tell me much higher amounts are paid).
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Since the topic of compulsory mobilization has "triggered" a number of my followers into a frenzy, I decided to write an article on the subject, which I am publishing in full.
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When collective interests take higher priority than a person's life
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One of the things that a large number of people do not perceive, thanks to intense collectivist propaganda, are the various violent nuances in laws that prioritize collective interests at the expense of individual freedom or life:
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Mobilization is MANDATORY because, at all times, we must protect and die for the homeland.
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Health or social insurance is MANDATORY because it is a solidarity principle that benefits society.
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Taxation is MANDATORY because it is a tax for a civilized society.
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All these arguments legitimize violence against an individual in pursuit of some collective goal.
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Of particular gravity is compulsory mobilization, which constitutes modern (and unfortunately publicly accepted) slavery – the right of states to sacrifice the lives of their citizens to maintain their territorial integrity.
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State propaganda invents all sorts of bizarre reasons why "compulsory mobilization" in times of threat is the "right thing to do":
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For example, compulsory mobilization stems from a social contract (which, of course, no one has ever seen and no one has ever signed) in which the state grants citizens some "rights" (which is an oxymoron in itself) and enforces some "obligations" in return, such as the obligation to mobilize to maintain territorial integrity.
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Compulsory mobilization means that a state considers you a piece of meat to be sacrificed in its higher interest, such as maintaining its territorial integrity in times of threat.
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Sorry, but by leaving your mother's body in XYZ state, you automatically and implicitly signed a social contract that the state has the right to sacrifice your body when it sees fit.
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The state must be seen as an organism that wants to preserve itself at all costs. For that, it needs a regular income (from stolen taxes) and territorial integrity, where it usurps a monopoly on violence (and for that, it sometimes needs the flesh of its citizens).
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The state is prepared to sacrifice the lives of its citizens, and unfortunately, no mechanism other than democracy can change this and make it more humane. Indeed, the democratic system considers itself the best and does not envisage a systemic upgrade.
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It means that even if 40% of the people in a given state are not willing to sacrifice their lives for it, it may not help them as long as the democratic majority wants EVERYONE to die for the homeland in times of danger.
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Similarly, suppose 40% of the people are anarchists who want no services or protection from the state, want to live entirely outside it, and pay no taxes. In that case, they have no chance without the approval of a democratic or parliamentary majority.
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In a democratic system, any minority that voluntarily decides to do anything does not have the right to "opt-out," i.e., to leave the majority system until the majority society accepts them.
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Indeed, you are familiar with typical collectivist propaganda: "It is very irresponsible not to die for the homeland because if everyone runs away, the Russians will occupy Europe, and it will be bad. "
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This argument is fundamentally the same as the argument from the slavery period: 'It is very irresponsible to run away from a slaveholder. If you do, those who stay with him will work all the harder – even for you!"
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Possibly similar to the argument: "It is very irresponsible to stop paying taxes. Because those who pay them will have to pay so much more, and there won't be enough money for health and welfare! "
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In all these cases, a vague collective interest (often determined by the ruling class) is considered significantly more important than individual rights, where it is acceptable to be enslaved, killed, or robbed.
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From a moral standpoint, it is always a good idea to walk away from an involuntary relationship and not be manipulated by the collective reproaches of the slaveholders.
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- It is always a good idea to stop paying taxes while you can legally afford it.
- It is always a good idea to flee with your family from a country where there is a threat of war and compulsory mobilization, and there is a high probability that you will die.
- It's always a good idea to escape from slavery and be free.
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The argument "You can't run forever!" is flawed because you can realistically save your life and your family's life by running away. And even if the conflict is global, at least you can prolong it for a few years, which is undoubtedly worth it. And it's much less likely that a war conflict will occur in Latin America (which successfully avoided WWI and WWII).
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The argument "What if they all fled?!" means, in the final analysis, that there will be no war, no one will die, and people will move to a new home. But that will never happen, just like it will never happen that most people decide not to pay taxes. Of course, that doesn't mean the aggressor has to give in – not by a long shot!
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It just means respecting everyone’s right not to take part in the conflict.
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Of course, this does not mean that you do not have the right to defend your own house, village, or country with which you identify against an aggressor.
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You certainly have – go ahead and fight!
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Understand, however, that there are many people for whom their lives are more important than protecting their homes in some hotbed of war. You cannot force them to fight for their house, your house, or your country because those are no longer their interests. Because their interest is only to survive.
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It is always immoral to sacrifice a person's life without his consent to the interests of any collective.
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And yes, you can have a good or better quality of life in Latin America than anywhere in Europe.
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But modern slavery is not just a compulsory mobilization where it is evident that the state owns your body and can sacrifice it as necessary to achieve its interests.
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To usurp half of your productive life in exchange for services “provided” by the state constitutes economic slavery.
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Similarly, state-enforced services by private oligopolies (compulsory health insurance, compulsory social insurance) are a form of economic slavery, especially if your state does not accept that you pay for much better global health insurance or have enough money to not pay for any insurance. I should point out that most countries do not have compulsory health/social insurance, a voluntary subject of the free market. Paraguay doesn't even have mandatory car insurance – again, it's voluntary.
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To argue that all of the above is not slavery because you can leave at any time if you don't like it and go anywhere else is like arguing in the days of slavery – "if you don't like slavery with our master, you can go to someone else."
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Just as slavery was widely accepted in most of the world in the past, so modern slavery in the form of compulsory mobilization is now widely accepted.
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After all, citizens must protect their countries in times of threat!
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In the 21st century, we are still electing slavers – worse or better. Getting out of slavery altogether is impossible.
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Fortunately, it is possible to choose a significantly better slaver. One who, in the event of conflict, will not consider you as meat to be sacrificed to protect their interests. And there are even some who ask almost no taxes from you. There are still many countries with no compulsory mobilization and whose citizenship you can buy (practically all of CARICOM, i.e., the Caribbean states). In most countries, you have no tax obligations, just as there are significantly better residences than in European ones, with territorial or no taxation.
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Arguing in the manner of "I don't have the money for plan B, I don't want to move, I have my whole family here, I don't want to learn a foreign language, etc." is a sign of convenience and your tacit agreement to sacrifice your life for the collective.
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And count on the fact that no one will ask you if you agree in the future.
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Paraguay
Uruguay
Politics, freedom, and libertarian appeal
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Uruguay is a beautiful destination with an ocean and beaches. It is highly developed but has quite a large government for many people. I would consider it a "left-libertarian" country—all the positive, traditionally left freedoms are there—freedom of speech, gay marriage, gun ownership, drug legalization, etc. is one of the best (i.e. freest) in the world. Uruguay is not a tax haven for most, with high import tariffs, progressive taxation, etc.
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Ultimately, it depends on what you want to do there. If you are in your early twenties and want to build your career, you should go to something punk-oriented—maybe Paraguay or Dubai. If you want to sit at the beach, drink coconut water (or, even better, maté), work remotely, smoke a joint, and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with friendly, relaxed people who don't cheat or steal, Uruguay is a splendid choice.
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Let's start with some context.
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Introduction: Quality of Life and Economic Context
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Uruguay is a small, peaceful country in South America known for its high quality of life, strong rule of law, and progressive social policies. With a population of about 3.5 million people and a relatively modest economy, Uruguay punches above its weight regarding governance, stability, and personal freedoms.
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Regarding GDP per capita, Uruguay is roughly in the middle tier globally. It is more prosperous than Paraguay by a large margin, with much better infrastructure, healthcare, and social services. Compared to Slovakia or the Czech Republic, Uruguay's GDP per capita is slightly lower, but the cost of living is generally more affordable. When set against Germany or the United States, Uruguay's GDP per capita is significantly lower. Still, daily life is also much less expensive—especially regarding healthcare, education, and housing. Essential goods and services in Uruguay tend to cost less, and it has a reputation for being a safe, slow-paced, and relaxed society.
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- Compared to Paraguay, it has a much higher standard of living, a more developed economy, and less corruption.
- Compared to Czechia/Slovakia: Slightly lower income levels, but comparable healthcare and education in quality and universality.
- Compared to Germany and the USA, there are Lower salaries and productivity, a much lower cost of living, and less economic pressure.
Uruguay offers a calm and orderly lifestyle with broad freedoms and reliable public services, making it an attractive place for those valuing stability and liberty.
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Political System and Culture
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Uruguay is a representative democratic republic with a presidential system. The President is elected for five years and cannot serve consecutive terms. The legislature is bicameral, composed of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate. Lawmaking is methodical, requiring approval from both chambers and the President, with an option for referendums or plebiscites initiated by citizens. This potent system of direct democracy allows Uruguayans to reject laws or even amend the constitution by popular vote.
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Uruguay's political culture is marked by respect for institutional rules, moderate policy swings between center-left and center-right, and a high degree of civic engagement. The left and right often disagree on policy but are committed to democracy and constitutionalism. Unlike more polarized nations, Uruguay's political parties usually cooperate on structural reforms and avoid undermining institutions for short-term gains.
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Compared to Paraguay or Panama, Uruguay is more stable, less corrupt, and more ideologically structured. Its debates are about ideas rather than personal power or patronage networks. Compared to EU countries, Uruguay shares many characteristics with Western democracies, especially secularism, civil liberties, and welfare policies. Yet, it retains independence from supranational entities, allowing more sovereign decision-making, although it is a member of Mercosur, which imposes some limits, especially regarding tariffs.
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Libertarian Perspective on Freedom in Uruguay
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Uruguay is not a libertarian utopia but offers a compelling balance between personal freedoms and a relatively honest, transparent state. From a libertarian perspective, Uruguay excels in many areas—especially civil liberties and rule of law—but has room for improvement in terms of economic freedom and the size of the state.
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Uruguay ranks highly in the region for property rights, contract enforcement, and corruption control. Businesses can operate predictably, and the legal system is functional and independent. Foreign and local investors are treated equally, and expropriation is virtually nonexistent.
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However, libertarians would point to several downsides:
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- High taxes: Income taxes up to 36%, corporate taxes at 25%, VAT at 22%, and even a net wealth tax (for wealth inside Uruguay).
- Large state sector: The Government controls key industries such as energy, telecommunications, and fuel through state monopolies.
- Strict labor regulations: Employment laws strongly favor workers, making hiring and firing costly and bureaucratic.
Despite these interventions, Uruguay's regulatory environment is honest and transparent, which libertarians may see as a redeeming feature. It may not be a low-tax, low-regulation haven, but it is a place where rules are known, predictable, and respected, which counts for a lot in practice.
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This is where Uruguay shines from a libertarian point of view:
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- Gun rights: Uruguay has the highest rate of gun ownership in Latin America. Civilians can own multiple firearms with a permit, though registration and limits still apply.
- Drug legalization: It was the first country in the world to legalize cannabis fully. Adults can grow, join clubs, or buy marijuana from licensed pharmacies. While the state controls distribution and tracks users, the approach is based on harm reduction and autonomy.
- Freedom of speech and assembly: Uruguay has a vibrant free press, unrestricted internet, and legal protection for protests and demonstrations.
- Privacy: Data protection laws are strong, and government surveillance is limited. Judicial warrants are required for most intrusions into private communications.
Although libertarians may raise concerns about registration requirements (e.g., for cannabis users or gun owners), the overall environment supports individual autonomy far more than most nations.
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Stability and Predictability
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One of Uruguay's most libertarian-compatible features is its predictable and stable governance. Laws change slowly and transparently, often requiring broad political consensus or direct democratic approval. Corruption is extremely low, and citizens and businesses can plan for the long term.
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This high degree of legal predictability and institutional reliability makes Uruguay an appealing environment for anyone who values liberty in a practical, real-world context.
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What is it like?
Uruguay offers a relaxed, comfortable lifestyle. The pace of life is slower than in most developed countries, and people tend to be warm and courteous. Crime rates are low by Latin American standards, and the atmosphere—especially in Montevideo or coastal towns like Punta del Este—is peaceful and secure.
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- Atmosphere: Calm, laid-back, and orderly. Public spaces are clean, with a strong sense of civic responsibility.
- People: Uruguayans are polite, friendly, and well-educated. They tend to value fairness and respect for others' rights.
- Nature and Beaches: Uruguay boasts beautiful, clean Atlantic beaches and mild weather year-round. The coastline is accessible and often uncrowded.
- Infrastructure: Roads, utilities, and internet services are well developed. Public transportation is modest but reliable.
- Healthcare and Services: Uruguay has a universal healthcare system with both public and private options. Quality is generally good, and wait times are moderate.
- Prices: Daily life is more affordable than in Western Europe or the US. Though imported goods can be expensive, food, transport, rent, and healthcare cost less.
Overall, Uruguay provides a high quality of life with a strong emphasis on personal security, education, and cultural openness. It's a place where people enjoy their freedoms without high stress or social tension.
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Conclusion
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Uruguay is one of the freest, most stable, and most civilly respectful countries in Latin America—and arguably in the world. From a libertarian lens, it is a compromise: not a minimal state, but a respectable and predictable one where personal liberty is unusually well protected and where the state's reach—though still broad—is exercised with constraint, transparency, and public accountability.
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Uruguay is a country worth watching—and perhaps even living in for anyone who values freedom, order, and quality of life.
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Panama
Make Crypto Panama great again! As a Panamanian resident, take advantage of Panama's new crypto services.
Two reasons why I decided to write this article:
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- Panama has become a crypto mecca in just a few years. The crypto services here have burst. Similarly, Panamanian banks are becoming crypto-friendly, and as long as you have Panamanian residency, you can use all these services and bank accounts.
- We have optimized the process of getting a Panamanian residency. Clients can choose whether to apply for residency through an employment contract at their Panamanian company (which we will set up for them) or another company (which we will also help them with). We have simplified the process for our Paraguayan and Uruguayan haves. Suppose they have residency in Paraguay/Uruguay and a cedula for at least 2 years. In that case, they need an apostilled criminal record extract from that country (we will handle it).
Crypto in Panama on the rise
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Panama is a crypto-friendly country, and unlike most other countries (like Paraguay), it has actual crypto-friendly legislation. Panama has territorial taxation, so if you have any crypto income outside of Panama, you don't declare or tax it. Capital gains tax on Crypto is officially zero.
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Even though some Panamanian banks may close your account when you use P2P trading (especially if it involves money laundering or other criminal activity), they are generally friendly to the crypto income you receive from an official Panamanian crypto exchange (unlike EU banks, which are certainly not crypto-friendly).
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Unlike Paraguay or Uruguay, you can open a bank account without limits even if you don't have income within the country – but you must carefully document your foreign income.
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I've tried several Panamanian banks in combination with selling and buying cryptos and had no problem:
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Banco General – Panama's largest bank also directs all foreign payments outside Panama. You can open a bank account remotely on the Panamanian cedula through their mobile app. The advantage is that you can use their instant payment system built on QR codes, Yappy, which is universally accepted throughout Panama (in some places, they don't accept credit cards, so you pay with cash or through Yappy). Other Panamanian banks (e.g., Zinli) integrated Yappy, too. They will issue you a local Panamanian Clave card or a basic VISA card as standard. Suppose you want a better card (like VISA Platinum). In that case, they have to verify you – you have to prove your regular foreign income (I spent almost 2 hours at Banco General for this, but I managed 🙂 You can then take advantage of many VISA Platinum benefits and discounts throughout Panama.
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Other Panamanian banks I have tried are Zinli (a fintech startup) and Lafise. I could open both accounts within minutes with just a Panamanian cedula (which is a considerable improvement, as in the past, it was very bureaucratically challenging to open bank accounts at banks, even for residents).
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The Zinli account can be recharged directly with Crypto through the cryptofacil.io service. It works instantly, but there is a relatively high fee of 4% plus an extra 0.50 USD for each transaction. You can top up a maximum of 200 USD at one time (but you can do it repeatedly).
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You can save if you use Binance P2P, where you can find deals selling USDT to USD for about 0.985 USD, with a fee of only 1.5%. You can send the money straight to your Zinli or other Panamanian account. The transfer is also within minutes, but as I wrote, Panamanian banks (like Georgian or any other) may have a problem with Binance P2P transactions from random people.
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Instead of Binance P2P, you can try its Latin American version, El Dorado, which works in Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela (unfortunately, it is not yet in Paraguay).
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The best and, at the same time, the most popular crypto service and crypto app in Panama at the moment is Lulubit, which is the Panamanian equivalent of the famous XAPO. The USDT to USD selling rate was also 0.985 USD, a fee of only 1.5%. You got it officially from the exchange, and no Panamanian bank should have a problem with it. The only problem is that unless you have a bank account with Panama's Canalbank (where Lulubit has an account), you won't get it instantly, only the next day.
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Lulubit allows you to deposit USD fiat from any Panamanian bank to your accounts at Canal Bank or Banco Aliado, from US platforms (like PayPal, Wise, Payoneer, etc.), or almost any Crypto (in the case of stablecoins, you can use Etherum, Solana, and Polygon blockchain), directly from another Lulubit user, or top up with Mastercard cards.
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The exchange rates are nice. Withdrawals in fiat can be free to any Panamanian bank account (if it's not Canalbank, it will take up to 24 hours), Crypto, or another Lulubit user. Lulubit gives you 4% annual interest if you hold DAI or 3% yearly interest if you hold USDT/USDC/ETH there.
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A not-insignificant advantage is that you can apply for a Lulubit Mastercard (for $40), which you can use to pay and spend your Crypto anywhere (they only send it to a Panamanian address).
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My only problem is that you can only deposit/withdraw $5,000 monthly. It is enough to live comfortably in Panama, but sometimes, you need more.
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Our Panamanian dude, Peter Bešina, is also active in Panama. He runs a network of Bitcoin ATMs there (you can find them at the Panama International Airport, for example). Here's more information about his project, ParallaPTY.
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Current conditions for obtaining temporary and permanent residence in Panama
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There are several ways to apply for residency in Panama: purchasing a property worth at least 300,000 USD or documenting your employment contract in a Panamanian company. The latter is the most popular option, so I will only analyze this option in the following article.
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Similar to Paraguay, Uruguay, or other countries, in Panama, you must first apply for temporary residency for two years and then apply for permanent residency for an indefinite period before expiration. You are exempt if you are an Italian citizen; special legislation applies, and you can immediately apply for permanent residence.
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Requirements for obtaining Panamanian permanent residence
All adult applicants for residency need:
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- A current apostilled criminal record extract from your home country (the Panamanian legal translator has to translate it officially in Panama; only if there is no court translator from your language can you apply for an exception and have the translation into Spanish done in your home country).
- If you have been a permanent resident in another country (for example, Paraguay) for at least 2 years, an apostilled criminal record extract from that country only (we can arrange this for you remotely) and proof that you are a permanent resident there (cedula, driver's license) will be sufficient. The advantage is that this document is in Spanish, so there is no need to translate it.
- Suppose you are or have been married/divorced. In that case, you need an apostilled marriage certificate and/or divorce certificate issued in the country, no more than 6 months old (note that unlike in Paraguay, a marriage certificate/divorce certificate in Panama has a validity of 6 months, and you present both when applying for temporary and permanent residency). We will arrange for its translation into Spanish in Panama.
- Proof of employment in a Panamanian company—employment contract (either yours, which we must set up in advance, or another one
- A valid passport (at least 6 months before expiration).
- 8 passport photos.
Suppose you are applying for residency for yourself only, with no other dependents. In that case, the situation is much easier because you do not need a birth certificate or a bank account in Panama. On the other hand, if you are applying for residency for your spouse, children, or parents, you need to provide the following:
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- Apostilled birth certificates of dependents (children, wife, to clarify the family connection).
- Before applying for Panamanian residency, you must open a Panamanian bank account, deposit a minimum of US$5,000 (a social guarantee that you will care about your family), and obtain a certificate, the so-called "Carta bancaria."
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Important note: Opening a Panamanian bank account can be the most challenging part of immigration. You need one as a family, so we recommend arriving in Panama at least one week before applying for residency. We open bank accounts for our clients at Banistmo, with whom we have a good relationship.
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To open a bank account in Panama, you need:
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- "Source of income," proof of your income translated into Spanish
- "Reference letter" confirmation that you have a bank account with another bank (we recommend at least two of these confirmations)
- A "Utility bill" proves that you are paying for electricity, utilities, etc.
- Valid passport (at least 6 months before expiry)
- Cash of 5000 USD that you put there
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Suppose you are applying for Panamanian residency cash as a couple. In that case, the easiest way is to file two independent applications (as independents), which, although a bit more expensive, will simplify the process considerably—you won't need birth certificates or a bank account in Panama.
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A certificate of employment with a Panamanian company is necessary for applying for Panamanian residency. The minimum wage in this company is 850 USD/month (we recommend 1000 USD/month). As an employee, you should pay the municipality a fee of 50 USD/month (600 USD per year).
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To apply for residency, you do not currently need a certificate of employment from the Panamanian Labor Office, nor do you need to pay social or health taxes. Similarly, there is no need to document the receipt of a monthly salary into the employee's account. Also, regular fees to the municipality are not verified.
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Should this change in any way in the future and the Immigration Office start verifying these things, we will inform our clients in advance.
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Timetable of necessary visits
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The timetable varies depending on whether you are applying for residency alone or with other dependents (children, spouse). If the latter, you must arrive for your first visit to Panama at least 1-2 weeks before applying for temporary residency. They must approve the opening of a bank account, and you must deposit $5,000 in cash.
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You must visit Panama two times to apply for temporary residency, the first for one week (5 working days) and the second for two working days as soon as you are approved for residency (within 6 months of the first visit). The permanent residence application is similar to the temporary residence application— you must visit Panama two times too, the first for one week (5 working days) in the 21-24 months of your temporary residence and the second for two working days immediately after your permanent residence is approved.
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Detailed schedule of visits:
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1. Visit to Panama (5 working days) – Application for temporary residence
- Sunday – You will arrive in Panama
- Monday ( your presence is required) – You will visit our lawyers in the morning with all the necessary documents and sign a power of attorney to ensure they fully represent you throughout the immigration process. In the case of dependents, you will sign a 'Carta de responsabilidad' where you declare that you undertake to pay the costs to all your dependents in Panama (children, spouse).
- Tuesday (your presence is not required) – Our lawyers will register your passports with the immigration department.
- Wednesday (your presence is not required) - Our lawyers will submit your application for temporary residence.
- Thursday (your presence is required) – the Immigration Department takes your photo.
- Friday – You leave Panama.
If you are applying for residency for yourself and your dependents (family), you must arrive in Panama at least one week before, open a bank account, and deposit $5,000 there.
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2. Visit Panama (2 working days) – obtain a temporary residency card
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The immigration office approves temporary residency in 6 months, usually 4 months. If you are not in Panama, you must provide our lawyers with a ticket receipt (booking number) stating that you have left Panama. They can collect the temporary residence resolution ("resolucion de residencia") for you.
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Immediately after that, you can come to Panama a second time (within two years) and apply for a residency card (you need to take a photo for this). It is best to arrive within a year of your residency being approved. You can also come within two years and combine the second visit (picking up your temporary residency card) with a third visit to Panama (applying for permanent residency with no time limit). In this case, we recommend arriving at least 1-2 weeks before applying for permanent residency.
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3. Visit to Panama (5 working days) – application for permanent residence without time limit
Within 21-24 months of your temporary residency approval (within 6 months of your first visit), you must come to Panama another time to apply for permanent residency. You no longer need an apostilled criminal record or birth certificate when applying for permanent residency.
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However, you need a current apostilled marriage or divorce certificate no more than six months old.
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If you are applying for permanent residency for dependents (family), then again, as in the first case, you need proof that you have a bank account ("Carta Bancaria") in Panama with a deposit of USD 5,000 (which you can re-use from the first visit).
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If you miss the visit on that date, applying for permanent residency in the 25th- 30th month is possible. Still, in this case, there is a fine of 50 USD/month, so if you would like to apply for permanent residency in the 30th month of your temporary residency, there is a total fine of 300 USD.
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Unfortunately, this is no longer possible after the 30th month of your temporary stay.
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- Sunday – You arrive in Panama.
- Monday (your presence is required) - You will visit our lawyers in the morning with all the necessary documents and sign a power of attorney that will allow you to represent yourself fully throughout the immigration process.
- Tuesday (your presence is not required) – Our lawyers will register your passports at the immigration department.
- Wednesday (your presence is not required) – our lawyers submit your application for permanent residence.
- Thursday (your presence is required) – the Immigration department takes your photo.
- Friday – You leave Panama.
Suppose you are applying for permanent residency with dependents (family). In that case, you already have a bank account open (from the first visit), so you only need to come for five business days (one week) for the third visit.
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4. Visit to Panama (2 working days) – obtaining a permanent residency card
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It takes up to 6 months to be approved for permanent residency, but it is usually approved in 4 months. If you are not in Panama, provide our lawyers with your ticket confirmation (booking number) that you have left Panama. They can pick up your permanent residency resolution ("resolucion de residencia").
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After that, you can come to Panama a fourth time (within a maximum of two years) and apply for a permanent residency card.
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Then, our lawyers will prepare the document for you to ask for your Panamanian cedula. Once it is approved (it takes 3 weeks), you can come to Panama a second time and apply to the Supreme Court ("Tribunal Electoral") for an official Panamanian cedula. You don't need a Panamanian cedula to operate in Panama – you can use your Panamanian residency card for everything. However, your residency card contains your passport number, which expires over time. Applying for a Panamanian cedula over time is a good idea because it does not have your passport number.
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Panama requires regular visits every 2 years to maintain permanent residency. Since Panama City is an international hub, if you travel a lot, this won't be hard to accomplish. In this case, it just means entering the country on your cedula and exiting on your cedula simultaneously.
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Advantages of Paraguay over Panama
- Paraguay has not signed the CRS (automated reporting system), nor is it planning to. Paraguayan banks (unlike Panamanian banks) don't send anything anywhere. But they have monthly limits of $1,000, as long as you don't have local income in Paraguay. You can have uncapped accounts in Panamanian banks even without local income.
- Paraguay is the only country with territorial taxation where you can get tax residency without living there most of the time in a year (more than 183 days). We need to register you with the Paraguayan Tax Office (SET), and you need to complete monthly declarations. You must live in Panama most of the time or have a permanent home to obtain residency. So, Paraguay is ideal for digital nomads who need a tax residency "somewhere" without living anywhere most of the time.
- In Paraguay, temporary/permanent residence can be obtained through our express service along with a biometric cedula in just one visit (in Panama, you must make two trips—the first to apply for residency and the second to apply for a residency card).
- To obtain residency in Paraguay, one does not need a bank account or to deposit dependents.
- Obtaining a driver's license in Paraguay is significantly easier than in Panama.
- You only need to visit Paraguay once every 3 years to maintain permanent residency. Panama needs to be visited once every 2 years, which may not be a problem as Panama is an international hub.
- Paraguay is a member of Mercosur; the Paraguayan cedula will get you into all the core Mercosur countries if you don't need a visa to go there as a citizen (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia). But Panama has already become an associate member of Mercosur (so Mercosur citizens, not residents, can get there on their cedula).
- Paraguay is not on any blacklist. As of 28.2.2025, Panama is on the EU blacklist of countries that do not cooperate on tax issues and are not sufficiently transparent (which may not be an explicit disadvantage 🙂
- Paraguay is about 2-3 times cheaper than Panama.
Advantages of Panama over Paraguay
- Once your foreign income is verified, you can immediately open a Panamanian bank account with no limits (you don't have to have a local Panamanian income like in Paraguay) and apply for premium VISA Platinum or Signature cards.
- Unlike Paraguay, Panama has territorial taxation for businesses in addition to individuals (so Panamanian businesses, unlike Paraguayan businesses, don't have to pay any taxes on foreign income). Opening a Panamanian company is easy. Opening a bank account for a Panamanian company in Panama is considerably more difficult until the company does business there. Therefore, we recommend a Panamanian company when you are 100% "crypto-only" and thus do not need a bank account. Panamanian tax residents can, just as well as Paraguayan tax residents, own a US LLC company (for EU and non-US customers) or a Gibraltar company (for US customers). Even if it has territorial taxation, a Panamanian company is more bureaucratic to maintain than a US LLC.
- The Czech Republic and Panama have signed a double taxation treaty, so it may be advantageous to use a Panamanian firm to invoice Czech clients (who pay you Crypto :-) Slovakia and most other countries in the world have not signed a double taxation treaty with Panama, so there is a risk of withholding taxes there, similar to Paraguay—list of countries that have signed a double taxation treaty with Panama.
- Panama is significantly more crypto-friendly than Paraguay—it has crypto legislation and does not have a "capital gains tax" on Crypto. Similarly, any crypto transactions outside Panama are not declared or taxed. Panamanian banks are more crypto-friendly than Paraguayan banks and have no problem accepting withdrawals from Panamanian crypto exchanges. Similarly, Panama has many crypto exchange services and a relatively dense network of Bitcoin ATMs.
- Panama doesn't have a central bank; it uses US dollars, which makes it more immune to potential hyperinflation.
- Panama has beautiful beaches and mountains!
Please get in touch with us if you are interested in Panamanian temporary or permanent residency. We will happily help you with the Panama, Paraguay, or Uruguay immigration process.
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Bitcoin, Monero, and cryptocurrencies
Choose fiat.
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Choose working 40 years just to watch your savings lose value. Choose debt. Choose a system where the rich borrow at 2% while you struggle with 20% credit card interest. Choose paying half your salary just to afford a roof over your head.
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Choose watching your paycheck shrink as inflation eats away at everything you own. Choose trusting politicians who print money while telling you to "tighten your belt." Choose being forced to gamble in the stock market just to keep up because saving in cash is financial suicide.
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Choose banks that decide when you can access your own money. Choose remittance fees that steal from the poorest. Choose financial exclusion if you don't meet the proper criteria. Choose an economy where your purchasing power is dictated by the whims of central bankers you've never met.
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Choose surveillance. Choose transactions that can be frozen, reversed, or denied based on what you say, who you support, or where you live. Choose trusting the same institutions that caused the last financial crash to somehow fix the next one.
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Choose working harder every year just to stay in the same place. Choose watching the ultra-rich manipulate the system, creating wealth out of thin air while convincing you that they earned it, that they worked harder than you, that your struggles are just a lack of effort.
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Choose rotting away with a pension that buys less and less every year. Choose leaving your kids a system rigged against them, where they'll work longer for less, just like you did.
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Choose your future. Choose the system they built…
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But why would we want to do a thing like that? We chose not to play their game. We chose hope. We chose freedom. We chose a future where our work means something. A future where we keep what we earn, where value isn't stolen through invisible hands. We chose to build, to share, to grow together as a community that believes in a better system. We chose Bitcoin.
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Buy and sell Bitcoin P2P, without KYC, through the Peach Bitcoin platform.
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A new crypto wallet, PragmaWallet, was designed and created from scratch in Rust as a browser extension or a native Android app. Once launched, it should support Bitcoin, Litecoin, Monero, Ethereum, and Solana.
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From the start, stablecoins have had the problem of being transparent and insufficiently anonymous. Fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) can address this problem. I'm looking forward to it because we need it in the snooping digital euro and CBDC situation.
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Privacy
The truth about OnlyFake and generative AI. There have never been better tools for generating fake documents than now. OnlyFake or Verif Tools are services for creating high-quality photo IDs. You can develop counterfeit passports, ID cards, driver's licenses, bills, and bank statements of different countries in 2 minutes.
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Travel Hacks
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One of Latin America's biggest problems is obesity and the resulting diabetes and other diseases that kill millions of people (except Argentina, maybe Uruguay, where it's a bit better). Of course, it is also a big problem in Europe, but not as severe as in Latin America.
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As I return from my adventure treks in the rainforest, I try to walk at least two hours in the city daily - classic urban hiking. Even though I don't walk too early or too late, the sidewalks in downtown Panama City are empty. Cars are everywhere, but I see almost no one on the sidewalks but me.
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I realized that it was a strange feeling to walk among Panama City's skyscrapers alone.
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At 8:00 a.m., the temperature is perfect for walking, maybe even running. Similarly, I didn't meet many people at the swimming pool (you'd expect that since people don't go outside because of the heat, at least the swimming pools would be full).
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Even though Panamanian supermarkets are entirely equipped and have all kinds of healthy food, the vast majority of people buy junk food. When I see what those people pay for at the checkouts, I will throw out 95% of it straight out of their shopping baskets. In Colombia and other Latin American countries, supermarkets don't offer unsweetened bread; every pastry says, "Caution, contains a lot of sugar." You can only buy typical unsweetened European bread in specialist German or French bakeries, which are usually frequented only by gringos who can't even smell the sweet bread anymore anyway. Even unsweet bread is not a big win for the body.
Plus, 99% of all soft drinks are sweet. I only buy water with gas and kombucha here because I can't drink anything else.
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Mexicans and Guatemalans push corn tortillas to their bodies, Salvadorans and Hondurans push pupusas, Colombians, Venezuelans, and Panamanians arepas, Argentinians empanadas, and Uruguayans eat pastries again, chivitos. They all wash it down with a sweet cola and ceremoniously finish with churros, which are pure gluten and sugar.
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It's no wonder there are 15 million people diagnosed with diabetes in Brazil alone, 14 million in Mexico. Since 1993, the number of people in Mexico with diabetes has at least quadrupled.
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Sugary drinks (which in Latin America are everything except water) are responsible for 48% of all new cases of diabetes in Colombia.
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Yet, sugar doesn't have to be such a big deal when moving.
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Latinos don't move, though, and they have the opportunity both in the morning and evening when the temperature is more bearable. Honor the light exceptions.
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There's not much we can do about other people's lifestyles. But we can with our own.
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I'll take the liberty of highlighting two basic rules of my simple diet:
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- No sugar/minimize carbs. Use sugar only when you move a lot, and your body can consume it.
- Don't use a car in the city. Walk or bike everywhere. You can ride a bike almost everywhere. Even in the biggest cities in the world, Mexico City or Sao Paulo, you can cycle the whole thing in three hours; in Buenos Aires, it takes two hours. I was thinking last time how great it is to fly into Buenos Aires or Amsterdam, rent a bike straight from the airport, and be in the city centre in minutes. It's not just about physical fitness; you'll save money on taxis or public transport.
It's also about constantly maintaining your cognitive abilities, mental rest, or meditation in places. There's even a concept like "mindful cycling", where you focus on the purely present moment of pedalling and your immediate perception of external influences, like the wind in your face or your breathing. Ask your favourite AI about bike sharing options in your location, install and run all the bike sharing apps, and lastly, use Organic Maps for offline bike navigation and hit the streets. And leave the car at home. It's already Spring. It's high time!
Some mobile operators (e.g., in Panama) will sell you SIM cards with unlimited data if you want to use them via a wifi hotspot (tethered connection), but there is a small limit (e.g., 1.5 GB). You can effortlessly get around this limit.
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Interesting links
The government and your boss want you never to become a free spirit - a free-thinking person. Laws, taxes, and regulations are related to control. You don't vote your way to freedom. You create your exit - No one is coming to save you.
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My grandfather lost all the money he had earned in his working years because of the 1953 currency reform. As a result, for the rest of his life, he never trusted the state again, never took out any loans, and used only cash. The state in Czechoslovakia deprived a massive part of the population of their possessions. At the same time, the state is robbing people at a slower rate and calling it inflation. The book 'Confiscated,' published by Eclipsory, is about this. How do states/banks steal from millions of citizens, and how do they defend against it?
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Events
17-18.5.2025 Pizzaday, Second Culture in Prague
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8-12.8.2025 WHY2025, the biggest hacker camp in the Netherlands
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