General Information about opening a restaurant in Panama

Business Structure:

Determine the type of structure for your restaurant, either you as the sole owner, or through a corporation, or limited liability company. You will need to work closely with an attorney and an accountant, as there are tax issues involved in your choice.

Commercial Name and Trademark

It is advisable to register a trademark in Panama, which will also protect your trade name and logo.

Permits and licenses from the Government of Panama include:

1. Obtaining notice of operations.
2. Registration of the business in the Municipality of Panama.
3. Registering the R.U.C. and obtaining passwords.
4. Obtaining a social security number for the business issued by the Registro Patronal de la Caja del Seguro Social de Panamá.
5. Obtaining a pest fumigation certificate. The pest fumigation inspection will be required every four (4) months and a notice of the fumigation inspection must be posted near the main entrance.
6. Obtaining food handler's health cards.
7. Obtaining health cards as sanitary operators.
8. Obtaining a Sanitary Operating Permit.

Choice of commercial premises:

If you will sell alcoholic beverages you must comply with article 12 of law 55 of 1973, which establishes that in order to issue a liquor license, the premises cannot be located less than 500 meters from any school whether public or private, hospitals, churches and temples.

The "500 Meters" certificate will be issued by the local Juez de Paz. A similar Certificate, issued by the Ministry of Education, will verify that the premises are located at a distance of more than 500 meters from a school.

Both certificates must be presented to the Municipality in order to obtain a liquor license.

Food handler Cards

There are two types of cards, the white and the green card.  The white card alludes to an individual's well-being (Carné de Buena salud). The green card guarantees that the individual obtained official preparation from the Minsa before going to any business.

Requirements if you are under 40 years old.

1. Two pictures
2. ID Card
3. If you are foreigners, work permits. They may also ask for the labor contract.
4. Vaccination card (You can also get the vaccines at the Health Center)
5. Medical Examination
   1. Stool test
   2. Glucose test.
   3. PCA test.
   4. PAP test.
   5. Dental examination.
   6. Hemoglobin test.
   7. V.D.R.L.V. test.
   8. Cholesterol test.
   9. If the application is for dairy or meat products, a Brucellosis test is added.

These tests must be performed at the C.S.S. or at a Health Center.

Costs:

• Cost (Men under 40) USD 14.75
• Cost (Women under 40) USD 16.25
• If the person has social security the cost is USD 5.00

Green Card Requirement

1. Copy of the white card
2. Copy of the ID
3. 2 card size pictures
4. You also have to take a course, which is available online where they explain you about the requirements to handle food. However, you have to double check if they are not suspended. The course can also be taken in the back part of SPIA behind the El Carmen Church. You have to pay to reprogramming the course.

Cost: USD10.00

Requirements to obtain a Sanitary Operating Permit

1. Certificate of the company issue by the public registry
2. Approval of location plan by MINSA.
3. Description of equipment and utensils, as well as industrial processing in the form of a flow chart.
4. Official sanitary inspection report.
5. Manual of good practices or cleaning program.
6. Copy of the plan that must contain:
   • Drinking water disposal
   • Solid waste disposal
   • Sanitary facility for liquid waste disposal
   • Installation of equipment and furnishings
   • Sanitary facilities for workers and the public

Entity in charge: Ministry of Health:

• § Environmental Health Division (División de Salud Ambiental)
• § Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance (Control de Alimentos y Vigilancia Veterinaria)
• § General Directorate of Public Health (Dirección General de Salud Pública).