Preferential Interest Law
The preferential tramos in force in Panama since January 2026, with the rate the buyer actually pays and the monthly saving.
Preferential interest calculator
The region changes the subsidised rate in tramos 1 and 2. Tramo 3 is the same in both.
The market rate your lender quotes. The subsidy is computed against it, so set it to your actual offer.
Payments estimated on a loan of 95% of the price over 25 years. The subsidy covers only the first months of the tramo; after that the payment rises to the full-rate figure.
The tramo rate is the discount the State contributes, not the final rate on the loan. Once the subsidy period ends, the mortgage continues at the bank rate.
Preferential tramos by region
| Tramo | Home price | Max subsidised rate | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 — Panamá and Panamá Oeste provinces | |||
| T1 | Up to PAB 50,000 | 5.00% | 96 months |
| T2 | PAB 50,000.01 – PAB 80,000 | 4.50% | 84 months |
| T3 | PAB 80,000.01 – PAB 120,000 | 4.00% | 84 months |
| Region 2 — Colón province and the rest of the country | |||
| T1 | Up to PAB 50,000 | 5.50% | 96 months |
| T2 | PAB 50,000.01 – PAB 80,000 | 5.50% | 96 months |
| T3 | PAB 80,000.01 – PAB 120,000 | 4.00% | 84 months |
Tramos under Ley 468 de 2025 as amended by Ley 481 de 2025, in force since 1 January 2026. ⚠️ Ley 481 extended tramo 3 from 60 to 84 months in both regions — any table showing 5 years is reading the earlier text.
Indicative calculation using the tramos of Ley 468 de 2025 as amended by Ley 481 de 2025. It is not an offer or a credit approval.
How preferential interest works
The preferential interest regime is a Panamanian state subsidy on the rate of a mortgage for a newly built home. It does not reduce the price of the house — it reduces the interest the buyer pays during the first years of the loan.
The tramo figure is what the State pays, not what you pay. If the bank offers 7% and the tramo subsidises 5 points, the buyer pays 2% for the duration of the subsidy. Confusing the two inverts the benefit entirely.
The subsidy is the lower of the tramo rate and 85% of the rate the bank offers. When the bank offers a low rate, the 85% cap is what binds.
The regime splits the country in two: Region 1 (Panamá and Panamá Oeste provinces) and Region 2 (Colón province and the rest of the country). The rates differ in the first two tramos, and most summaries describe only Region 1.
It applies to new homes only, and homes priced above B/.120,000 are excluded.
Conditions of the regime
- Applies only to the purchase of newly built homes.
- The purchase price may not exceed B/.120,000.
- The subsidy is the lower of the tramo rate and 85% of the rate offered by the bank.
- The subsidy period is non-renewable.
- The loan must come from a bank or financial intermediary authorised by the Superintendencia de Bancos.
Conditions taken from the text of Ley 468 de 2025 and its amendments. Credit requirements are set by each lender.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the State subsidise under preferential interest?
It depends on the home price and the region. In Region 1 it runs from 4% to 5% of the rate; in Region 2, from 4% to 5.5%. The State pays the lower of that figure and 85% of the rate the bank offers.
Is the tramo rate what I will pay?
No. It is the share of the interest the State covers. If the bank offers 7% and the tramo subsidises 5 points, you pay 2% while the subsidy lasts.
What happens when the subsidy period ends?
The loan continues at the bank rate. The subsidy is non-renewable, so the payment rises once the tramo ends.
Does a B/.150,000 home qualify?
No. The law expressly excludes homes whose purchase price exceeds B/.120,000.
Are the rates the same across the country?
No. Region 1 (Panamá and Panamá Oeste) and Region 2 (Colón and the rest of the country) have different rates in tramos 1 and 2. Only tramo 3 matches. Many summaries describe Region 1 alone.
Which law is in force today?
Ley 468 de 2025 as amended by Ley 481 de 2025, in force since 1 January 2026. Ley 472 de 2025 had suspended Ley 468 until 31 December 2025, during which Ley 3 de 1985 continued to apply.
More tools in Panama
Official sources
The tramos on this page were read directly from the texts published in the Gaceta Oficial.
- Ley 468 de 2025 — Gaceta Oficial 30264-A
- Ley 472 de 2025 — Gaceta Oficial 30302-A (suspends Ley 468)
- Ley 481 de 2025 — Gaceta Oficial 30361-C (amends Ley 468)
Tramos verified on 1 August 2026 against the Gaceta Oficial. In force since 1 January 2026.