Panama entry requirements for Iceland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 18, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Icelandic passport holders can visit Panama without a visa for up to 90 days. This has been the case for years and remains unchanged in 2026. Just show up at the airport with your passport and you're good to go.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire period you plan to stay in Panama. Immigration officers at Tocumen International Airport check this at the counter. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Panama | Immigration will ask for a return or onward ticket before they stamp you in. Airlines at Keflavík check this before boarding. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers occasionally ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from a host covers this. Keep a copy on your phone. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Panama does not have a fixed minimum amount, but immigration may ask for bank statements or cash. Having $500–$1,000 USD available per week of stay is a safe benchmark. Credit card statements work too. | Recommended |
Overstaying is not worth it
Panama is strict about the 90-day limit. Overstay by even a day and you'll face fines and possible entry bans. Set a calendar reminder to leave before day 85.
No visa needed, but have documents ready
Even though it's visa-free, immigration officers can ask for your return ticket and accommodation. Have them on your phone or printed. It's rare but happens.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
You'll land at Panama City's main airport. Follow signs to 'Migración' (Immigration). There are two queues: one for Panamanian citizens/residents, one for foreigners. Join the foreigner queue.
2
Present your passport and documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation. Answer clearly. They'll stamp your passport with a 90-day entry. No forms to fill out.
3
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel means nothing to declare; red channel means you have goods to declare. Most tourists go green.
Download Panama Entry Checklist
PDF · Iceland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, not extendable
Validity3 months from issue
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Icelandic passport holders do not need this visa; listed for reference.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, not extendable
Validity1 year
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Not necessary for Iceland holders; listed for completeness.
Long-stay visa (Pensionado Visa)
Max stayIndefinite (renewable annually)
Validity1 year initially
Cost~$500 USD (application and legal fees)
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires legal representation.
Digital nomad visa (Short Stay Visitor Visa for Remote Workers)
Max stay9 months (extendable to 18 months)
Validity1 year
Cost~$300 USD (application fee)
For remote workers earning at least $3,000 USD/month. Must apply from abroad.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~$500 USD (initial legal and application fees)
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Offers discounts on services and is a path to permanent residency.
digital nomad visa
Short Stay Visitor Visa for Remote Workers
9 months, extendable to 18 months
~$300 USD (application fee)
For remote workers earning at least $3,000 USD/month. Allows stay up to 9 months initially, extendable once. Must apply from outside Panama.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)
2 years, renewable
~$5,000 USD (legal and application fees, plus investment of at least $300,000 USD in real estate or business)
For individuals investing at least $300,000 USD in Panama (real estate, business, or reforestation). Leads to permanent residency after 2 years.
work visa
Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo)
1 year, renewable
~$1,000 USD (employer-sponsored, legal fees)
Requires a job offer from a Panamanian company. Employer must obtain a labor permit. Valid for one year and renewable.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Not required for short stays; listed for reference. | Free (not applicable for visa-free entry) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Not required for short stays; listed for reference. | Free (not applicable for visa-free entry) |
| Stay extension costVisa-free stays are not extendable; must leave and re-enter. | Unknown (not available for visa-free entry) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at immigration discretion; avoid overstaying. | ~$50 USD per day (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Panama
No transit visa needed
Icelandic passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Panama. They can remain airside for up to 12 hours without passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, standard visa-free entry applies (up to 90 days).
Transit hubsTocumen International Airport (PTY)
Health & vaccines for Panama
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in urban and rural areas; use insect repellent.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; transmitted by mosquitoes.
Zika virusLow risk
Risk is low but present; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas, but present in some rural regions near the border with Colombia. Prophylaxis is not routinely recommended for standard itineraries.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Panama City
Servicio Nacional de Migración (National Migration Service)
Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro, Edificio 2000, Panama City
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
David
Regional Office of Migration - David
Calle 3ra, Edificio de la Gobernación, David, Chiriquí
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles immigration matters for the western region. Limited services; call ahead.
Practical information for IS travellers
Country basics
CapitalPanama City
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyPanamanian balboa (PAB)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1 PAB
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New Yorksame timezone
vs Los Angeles+3h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BSame as US: two flat pins (Type A) or with grounding (Type B)
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is generally not safe to drink; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. Panama does not allow visa-free visitors to extend their stay. You must leave before day 90. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
Only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Colombia, parts of Africa). If you're flying directly from Iceland, no vaccine is required.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Panamanian immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
No. You must have a return or onward ticket. Immigration will ask for proof you're leaving. A bus ticket to Costa Rica works too.
It's included in your airline ticket. No separate payment at the airport.
Technically, no. The tourist visa is for tourism only. But many digital nomads do it quietly. Panama has a separate 'Short Stay Visa' for remote workers if you want to be legal.
You'll be fined approximately $50–$100 depending on how long you overstay. You may also be banned from re-entering Panama for a period. Best to leave on time.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.