ETIAS EU Visa Waiver for Panamanian Citizens

Panamanian nationals may travel to all of the countries in the Schengen Area without a European visa.

From 2026 , visa-exempt citizens from more than 50 countries, including Panama, will be able to register online for an ETIAS. ETIAS is not a visa, Panama nationals will continue to enjoy visa-exempt travel to Europe but will need to get travel authorisation.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System, ETIAS, will be be an entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers. The new electronic system will pre-screen foreign travellers -including citizens of Panama- improving external Schengen border management and increasing security.

It will be easy to apply for the mandatory European visa waiver. The application is 100% online and will takes just a few minutes to complete.

HOW ETIAS IMPROVES SECURITY IN EUROPE FOR PANAMANIAN NATIONALS

The ETIAS is still under development. The systems required for it to function are being created in a way that will seamlessly integrate with existing immigration and security databases.

When ETIAS is fully implemented, it will provide a streamlined screening and entry process for Panamanians visiting any and all of the Schengen member nations.

The ETIAS will help increase security within the European Union borders by prescreening all travellers from visa waiver countries, including Panama. Individuals who may pose a risk to the member states will be denied visa-free entry.

This online registration will allow authorities to have better knowledge and understanding of people travelling to the Schengen Area for leisure, business or short-term study without a visa, as well as those who leave the airport during transit. It will make travelling to the Schengen countries safer for both residents and visitors.

WHAT COUNTRIES CAN PANAMANIAN ETIAS HOLDERS ENTER?

ETIAS holders from the Republic of Panama will be able to travel to any of the countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days per trip, within a 180-day period.

Some of these countries are EU members, but not all. Citizens can apply for ETIAS to travel to the countries listed below from 2026 .

ETIAS REQUIRED

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 25 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT FORM PART OF THE SCHENGEN AREA:

EU Schengen
Non-EU Schengen States
Non-Schengen EU States

ETIAS Required

NON-EU MEMBER STATES:

MICRO-STATES DE FACTO PART OF SCHENGEN AREA:

Monaco
San Marino
Vatican City

ETIAS Required

NON-SCHENGEN EU STATES

Cyprus

EUROPE VISA WAIVER REQUIREMENTS FOR CITIZENS OF PANAMA

Panamanians that wish to visit Europe short term can do so without applying for a Schengen visa. On arrival, citizens of Panama need to present a valid Panamanian passport to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 consecutive days.

Panamanians travelling to EU Schengen member countries will soon have to complete the online ETIAS application before boarding a flight or ship headed towards a member nation. ETIAS is not a visa for Europe, it is an electronic travel authorisation, also known as a visa waiver, similar to the United States ESTA.

ETIAS for Panamanians is valid for tourism, business, studies up to 90 days, and transit. Citizens of Panama who do not meet the ETIAS requirements for visa-free travel have to apply for a visa.

DOCUMENTS TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM PANAMA

The ETIAS visa waiver for Panamanians application is online and easy-to-use. Panamanians need the following items to get started with their application:

Panamanian passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area
Valid debit or credit card to pay for the ETIAS visa waiver fee
Current email address where the approved ETIAS will be sent

All foreign visitors in Europe, including citizens of Panama, must travel with their passport when travelling around the Schengen Area.

PANAMIANS AND THE ETIAS APPLICATION

Panamanian citizens need to provide the following information during the ETIAS application process:

Personal information, including first name, family name, date and place of birth
Passport details, including date and country of issuance, expiration date, and passport number
Contact data, including telephone number and email address

There are also a selection of security questions. Applicants from Panama should revise the ETIAS form carefully before submitting the request. All information must match the applicant's passport exactly. Any mistakes or missing information could result in processing delays.

To finalize the application, travellers pay the ETIAS processing fee securely online from Panama. All major credit and debit cards are accepted.

ETIAS PROCESSING TIMES FROM PANAMA

ETIAS processing will be fast and most applications will be approved following automatic processing. On rare occasions, the application may required manual processing by ETIAS National Units.

TRAVEL TO EUROPE FROM PANAMA WITH AN ETIAS

The ETIAS visa waiver is valid for 3 years, as long as the passport used during the application process remains valid. An approved ETIAS travel authorisation is electronically linked to a single passport and may not be transferred to a second one.

If the Panamanian passport expires during the 3-year validity of their ETIAS, the travel authorisation will lose its validity and the traveller will need to apply for a new visa waiver. The new application should be done using the individual’s new passport.

Panamanian citizens with dual nationality will need to choose a single passport to travel on for their visit to Europe. These travellers will have to use the same passport they have chosen to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver with.

An ETIAS for Panamanian citizens allows travellers multiple short entries to the Schengen Area. The mazimum stay is 90 days per 180-day period.

The ETIAS will be compulsory for Panamanians of all ages. Minors should also request an ETIAS to visit Europe. Parents or legal guardians may apply for an ETIAS visa waiver from Panama by submitting the underage traveller’s personal and passport information in the travel authorisation form.

The ETIAS visa waiver will be verified when the Panamanian passport is scanned at an external Schengen border. The same travel authorisation is valid to travel to any of the countries in the Schengen Area. Panamanians do not need a separate authorisation for each country they visit.

ETIAS for Panamanians - FAQ

Can Panamanian citizens work in Europe with an ETIAS?

ETIAS visa waiver holders from all countries, including Panama, may not work in the Schengen zone using an ETIAS. The ETIAS allows holders short stays in Europe for business trips, aside from leisure and transit.

ETIAS holders from Panama may conduct business activities in Europe during their stay but are not permitted to seek employment nor work in any member nations.

Panamanian passport holders who intend to work in the EU will have to visit the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to reside in. Diplomatic personnel will inform citizens of the documents required in order to work and reside in the country.

Can Panamanian nationals study in Europe with an ETIAS?

Travellers from Panama visiting the European Union as well as the non-EU Schengen member countries may spend up to 90 consecutive days there with an ETIAS visa waiver.

They may use the ETIAS to study in Europe visa-free for these 90 days at most. To study for longer than 90 days, they’ll need a visa.

This maximum of 90 days is counted within a 180-day period, after which, the citizen will be allowed another 90 days that they may spend in any and all of the member nations.

The ETIAS visa waiver allows holders multiple entries in the Schengen Area. This means that a traveller may enter any member country and visit all of the other nations that comprise the Schengen Territory several times, as long as they do not exceed the 90-day limit.

The visa waiver lasts for 3 years as long as the associated passport remains valid and the holder still complies with the Schengen entry requirements.

How long can Panamanian ETIAS holders stay in Europe?

Travellers from Panama visiting the European Union as well as the non-EU Schengen member countries may spend up to 90 consecutive days there with an ETIAS visa waiver.