Send us a text

Panama vs old world Europe — which country is better for expats, retirees, and investors? In this episode of The Panama Podcast, real estate expert Melissa Darnay compares living in Panama vs living in Hungary, revealing the truth about cost of living, residency programs, real estate fees, property taxes, weather, and lifestyle in both countries.

If you’ve ever thought about moving to Panama or retiring overseas, this side-by-side comparison will help you decide whether Panama or Hungary is the better choice for your next chapter. From the Friendly Nations Visa to low property taxes and affordable healthcare, Panama continues to be one of the best countries for expats in 2025 and into 2026.

Meanwhile, Hungary offers stunning architecture, delicious wines, and European charm — but with cold winters, higher transfer taxes, and more red tape. Melissa shares her personal experience exploring Budapest, and the wine regions of Eger, Villány, and Lake Balaton, and explains why Panama’s warm climate, stable economy, and easy residency make it the clear winner for most North American expats.

✅ What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Real Cost of Living: Panama vs Hungary
✔️ How to Get Residency in Each Country
✔️ Real Estate Fees, Taxes & Closing Costs Compared
✔️ Lifestyle & Culture Differences for Expats
✔️ Why Panama Wins for Quality of Life in 2025

📘 FREE BOOK: Panama Uncorked — Learn everything you need to know about living and investing in Panama → https://www.choosepanama.com/free-book.html

🌎 JOIN THE VIP PROGRAM: Get insider access to Panama’s best properties before they hit the market → https://www.choosepanama.com/vip

🎧 WATCH THE PANAMA PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/@choosepanama

If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Subscribe, and click the Bell Icon so you don’t miss future episodes about living, retiring, and investing in Panama.

#choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #panamavshungary #livinginpanama #movingtopanama #expatlife #retireinpanama #panamarealestate #expatlifestyle

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Panama Podcast. If you like it, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review.

To get a copy of your FREE e-book, go to: https://www.choosepanama.com/free-book.html

Stay tuned for more stories of adventure, relocation, and life in Panama. For more information, resources, and to connect with our community, visit our website at www.ChoosePanama.com. Until next time ... Cheers!