Spain → Panama: travel preparation checklist

1. Map out the journey and the companion

Write down the complete itineraryRecord cities, airports, dates and connections for Spain → Panama. Distinguish the first entry point from the final destination.Identify the companion and travel datesIdentify the owner and any authorised companion. For non-commercial movements involving the EU, check the authorisation and that the owner travels within five days before or after the animal.Collect identification and existing recordsGather identification, vaccinations, passport and veterinary history. Check microchip readability and consistent details across the travel documents.

2. Coordinate the health documents

Determine the entry requirementsOfficial export health certificate from the departure country, issued no more than 30 days earlier, apostilled or legalised by the Panamanian consulate as applicable. The pet passport alone does not replace it.Arrange the departure-country formalitiesConfirm with your vet and the official service which CEXGAN procedure applies to the animal and destination, including any required certification or endorsement.Schedule appointments in the right orderRequired species-specific vaccines must be current: dogs against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus; cats against rabies, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Record dates, brand, batch and expiry. For young animals, rabies vaccination from three months of age and 30 days before travel. Review adult booster history and validity with the authority; keep this timetable separate from EU requirements. Notify arrival three to five working days ahead, submitting the entry application, official certificate and vaccination record under MINSA instructions. Record internal and external parasite treatments before departure.

3. Confirm the flight, carrier and arrival

Obtain pet acceptance on every flightConfirm the animal’s place, PETC or accompanied AVIH option, aircraft, breed, weight and connections with every operating airline. The passenger booking does not confirm pet acceptance.Check carrier dimensions and preparationMeasure the animal and carrier, weigh them together and compare with the airline’s accepted conditions. Prepare ventilation, secure closure, absorbent lining and gradual familiarisation.Plan the checks and onward transferPresent originals and copies to MIDA and MINSA on arrival. Confirm whether entry inspection or strict home quarantine applies. Release is not automatic; check opening hours, payments and the actual entry point.

4. Review the folder before departure

Pack originals and accessible copiesUse this page’s document folder. Keep required originals, copies, airline confirmations and arrival contacts together.Cross-check the whole fileCompare microchip number, names, vaccinations, sampling dates, certificates and flights. Resolve discrepancies with the document issuer before travelling.Prepare the next journey tooOpen the reverse route Panama → Spain and review its conditions separately. Do not assume that the outbound permit or certificate covers the return.

Build your document folder

Keep the required originals and accessible copies together. This folder is for Spain → Panama; connections and the animal’s history can add conditions.

Traveller identification and companion authorisation where needed.
Animal identification, vaccinations and veterinary history.
Departure certificate and official endorsement applicable to the departure country.
Official export health certificate from the departure country, issued no more than 30 days earlier, apostilled or legalised by the Panamanian consulate as applicable. The pet passport alone does not replace it.
Pet acceptance on every flight and carrier details.
Itinerary, arrival contacts and preparation for the next journey.

Official instructions to open while planning

MIDA / MINSA · Import · Source language: ES
MAPA · Viajar con perros y gatos · Source language: ES
MAPA · CEXGAN · Source language: ES

Bring the plan together

Review the detailed route guide, or request an individual journey assessment. For the opposite direction, open Panama → Spain.

Travel dates: ____________________
Departure and arrival: ________________________________________
Notes: ______________________________________________________