Note:
The following table of contents reflects the book’s current draft.
Some content, page breaks, and layout details may change slightly before publication.
Auswandern am Beispiel Panama
Inhalt
Ratgeber und persönlicher Erfahrungsbericht
1 Foreword
4
2 Emigration
6
2.1 Why Leave Germany or the European Union?
6
2.2 Preparing for and Carrying Out the Emigration Process
9
2.2.1 Different Forms of Emigration
10
2.2.2 The Actual Cost of Emigration
11
2.2.3 Do Not Give Up Everything Immediately
18
2.2.4 Tax and Legal Review
23
2.2.5 What Should You Take with You—and What Should You Leave Behind?
27
2.2.6 Assets, Bank Accounts, and Retirement Planning
34
2.2.7 Lifestyle, Income, and Financing
39
2.2.8 Health, Insurance, and Long-Term Care
47
2.2.9 Digitalization and Practical Organization
50
2.2.10 The Emotional Reality of Emigration
53
2.2.11 The Option of Returning and Plan B
58
2.3 Finding the Right Destination Country
61
2.4 The Decision Matrix—Asking the Right Questions
63
Auswandern am Beispiel Panama
Inhalt
3 Living in Panama
70
3.1 Panama—A Brief Introduction and Sources
71
3.1.1 Geography, Climate, and Landscapes
72
3.1.2 Plants and Animals
79
3.1.3 Culture
85
3.1.4 Economy, Taxes, and Law
88
3.2 Society and Mentality
93
3.2.1 Culture and Social Atmosphere
93
3.2.2 Social Etiquette, Communication, and Networks
99
3.2.3 Freedom and Everyday Life Without Excessive Regulation
106
3.2.4 Bureaucracy and the Perception of Time
110
3.2.5 Social Differences and Prosperity
114
3.2.6 Foreigners and Integration
116
3.2.7 Perception of Safety
118
Auswandern am Beispiel Panama
Inhalt
3.3 Everyday Life and Quality of Life
121
3.3.1 Infrastructure
122
3.3.2 Shopping and Everyday Supplies
124
3.3.3 Restaurants and Food
125
3.3.4 Climate and Everyday Comfort
127
3.3.5 Services and Customer Service Culture
129
3.3.6 Digitalization
131
3.3.7 Transportation and Mobility
132
3.3.8 Medical Care
133
3.4 Housing and Life in Panama
136
3.4.1 Living Well in Panama
137
3.4.2 Possible Destinations
140
3.4.3 Mobility and Choosing a Vehicle
148
3.5 Buying Real Estate in Panama
152
3.5.1 The Purchase Process in Brief
152
3.5.2 Special Legal and Practical Considerations
154
3.5.3 Our Experiences
155
3.6 Immigration and Moving to Panama
156
3.6.1 Residency Permits and Immigration
156
3.6.2 The Move Itself
162
3.6.3 What I Would Do Differently Today
165
Auswandern am Beispiel Panama
Inhalt
4 Costa del Este—My Everyday Life
168
4.1 Arriving and Settling In
168
4.2 Living in a High-Rise Building
170
4.3 Climate and Quality of Housing
177
4.4 Living in a Building with a Hotel License
182
4.5 Costa del Este as a Neighborhood
185
4.6 People and Atmosphere
194
4.7 The Less-Than-Perfect Sides
195
4.8 Costa del Este as a Home Base
200
5 Conclusion—Who Panama Is Suitable For and Who It Is Not
202
5.1 Introduction
202
5.2 Panama Is Not a Low-Cost Option
202
5.3 Emigration Depends on Your Personality
203
5.4 Everyday Life Rather Than Vacation
203
5.5 Financial Requirements
204
5.6 Also of Interest to Businesses
204
5.7 My Personal Conclusion
204
5.8 Final Thoughts
205
Auswandern am Beispiel Panama
Inhalt
6 Appendix
206
A Expanded List of Criteria
206
B Support from Artificial Intelligence
209
C Emigration Checklist
214
D Companion Website
219