What Happened
Since January, Panama’s new law on preferential interest rates (Law 468) has been in force, offering lower mortgage costs for buyers who qualify. The subsidy scheme is divided by region and by price brackets, allowing some families to obtain mortgages with reduced interest reflected directly in monthly payments, officials say.
Preferential Rate Tiers
The law establishes different subsidy levels for two regions. Details provided by industry representatives are:
- Region 1 (Panamá and Panamá Oeste): 5% subsidy for homes up to $50,000 for 8 years; 4.5% for homes up to $80,000 for 7 years; 4% for homes up to $120,000 for 7 years.
- Region 2 (Colón and the interior): 5.5% subsidy for homes up to $50,000 for 8 years; 5.5% for homes up to $80,000 for 8 years; 4% for homes up to $120,000 for 7 years.
The Expo: Where to Compare Offers
The Cámara Panameña de la Construcción (CAPAC) will host Expo Vivienda CAPAC 2026 from April 16 to 19 at the Panama Convention Center. CAPAC officials say the fair will bring together more than 100 promoters, banks and companies, showcasing over 300 housing projects. The sector expects sales and mortgage approvals exceeding $80 million and projects attendance of more than 10,000 people.
Irene Orillac de Simone, president of CAPAC, highlighted the practical effect of the law: “Esta edición se realiza en un momento importante para el mercado residencial. Tras la entrada de vigor de la nueva ley de intereses preferenciales, la 468, el incentivo a la tasa hipotecaria se refleja directamente en las mensualidades de las familias”. The event is presented as an opportunity for buyers to compare prices, financing options and receive direct advice from lenders and developers in one place.
Who Can Qualify
Organizers say visitors can begin mortgage pre-qualification at the fair provided they bring the usual financial documents. Arturo Sáenz, president of the fair committee, listed common requirements: a letter of employment, social security contribution proof, personal identification (such as cédula), and personal and commercial references.
For the most widely offered segment—homes priced up to $120,000—CAPAC indicates an approximate family income requirement of up to $1,500 per month to allow banks to evaluate payment capacity at the event.
What This Means
The combination of Law 468’s subsidies and a concentrated marketplace like Expo Vivienda CAPAC is intended to make housing offers more accessible by lowering monthly mortgage costs and enabling buyers to compare promotions, such as down-payment assistance and preferential credit terms, directly with lenders and developers. Organizers frame the fair as a key platform to convert available supply into actual home purchases by matched buyers who meet the documented requirements.