Panama
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for Panama
You · American passport
Up to 180 days per visit
Visa-free for short stays. Keep inside the limit and you don't need a visa.
embassyofpanama.org · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
Up to 30 days per visit
It comes in on a temporary import with the Permiso de entrada de vehículos extranjeros (Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas).
panamadigital.gob.pa · Confirm before you go · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 30 days out
Panama needs an official certificate under 30 days old, legalised by apostille or Panamanian consulate, rabies at least 30 days old, and notice to MINSA 3-5 working days ahead. See the steps
minsa.gob.pa · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch Panama.
We'll email you if Panama's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into Panama.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Once your pet is 90 days old
Rabies vaccination
Dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated against rabies from 3 months of age; adults must be within validity.
- At least 30 days after the rabies shot
30 days after first rabies shot
At least 30 days must pass after a first rabies vaccination, so pets under about 4 months cannot enter.
- Before you go
Core vaccines
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia. Ferrets: rabies only.
- On or after the health certificate
Apostille or Panamanian consular stamp
The certificate must be apostilled by the issuing country's foreign ministry or legalised at a Panamanian consulate.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Internal and external parasite treatment
Record endo- and ectoparasite treatments given before travel.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Official export zoosanitary certificate
Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación from the origin country's animal health authority, max 30 days old on arrival.
- 3 to 7 days before you arrive
Notify MINSA 3-5 working days ahead
Email the 'Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones', the certificate and the vaccination card to cam@minsa.gob.pa.
- At the border
MIDA and MINSA fees (cash)
MIDA: B/.10 import licence per species + B/.15 inspection per animal. MINSA: B/.40 per animal, or B/.130 if strict home quarantine is required.
- By the day you arrive
Possible home quarantine
MINSA can order strict home quarantine at your address.
minsa.gob.pa · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in Panama
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free | Up to 180 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free | Up to 90 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | Up to 90 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Visa-free | Up to 90 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Visa-free | Up to 90 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Up to 90 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Visa-free | Up to 90 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free | Up to 180 days per visit | embassyofpanama.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in Panama
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Temporary import | Up to 30 days per visit | panamadigital.gob.pa · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a Panama leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
