Panama entry requirements for Romania passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 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
Romanian passport holders can visit Panama without a visa for up to 90 days. Just show up at the airport with a valid passport and a return ticket. This policy is in effect for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Romanian passport needs to be valid only for the period you plan to stay in Panama. Airlines sometimes ask for 6 months validity beyond your departure date — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Panama | Immigration officers at Tocumen International Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket out of Panama within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they check this before stamping you in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | You may be asked where you're staying during your visit. A hotel confirmation or a letter from a host with their address is enough — keep a copy on your phone or printed. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Officers occasionally ask for proof of sufficient funds — around $500 USD for the trip or a credit card statement works. I've never been asked myself, but better to have a bank statement handy. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check this before you board. If your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival date, you won't be allowed to fly. Renew first.
No visa, no fee, no fuss
Romanian passport holders get 90 days visa-free. No application, no payment, no appointment needed. Just show up with a valid passport and a return ticket.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
You'll go through immigration at Panama City's main airport. Join the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
2
Present documents to immigration officer
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and where you're staying. Answer clearly. They'll stamp your passport with a 90-day entry.
3
Collect luggage and exit
After the stamp, head to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel if you have nothing to declare. You're in.
Download Panama Entry Checklist
PDF · Romania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 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)
Not needed for standard visits; listed for reference.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, not extendable
Validity1 year
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Not needed for standard visits; listed for reference.
Long-stay visa (Pensionado visa)
Max stayIndefinite (permanent residency)
ValidityLifetime
Cost~$2,000 USD (estimated, including legal fees)
Requires lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Allows work and benefits.
Digital nomad visa (Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers)
Max stay9 months, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$300 USD (estimated)
Requires proof of remote work income of at least $3,000 USD/month. Apply at Panamanian consulate.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement Visa)
Indefinite (permanent residency)
~$2,000 USD (estimated, including legal fees)
For retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 USD/month. Offers discounts on services and tax benefits. Requires application at Panamanian consulate.
digital nomad visa
Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers (Digital Nomad Visa)
9 months, extendable
~$300 USD (estimated)
For remote workers earning at least $3,000 USD/month. Allows stay up to 9 months with possible extension. Apply at Panamanian consulate.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)
Indefinite (permanent residency)
~$5,000 USD (estimated, including legal fees)
For investors who invest at least $300,000 USD in real estate or a business. Requires proof of investment and clean criminal record.
work visa
Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo)
1 year, renewable
~$500 USD (estimated, including legal fees)
For those with a job offer from a Panamanian employer. Employer must sponsor and handle paperwork. Allows residency and work.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Not required for standard visits; listed for reference. | Free (not applicable for visa-free entry) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Not required for standard visits; listed for reference. | Free (not applicable for visa-free entry) |
| Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave after 90 days. | Not available |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are enforced; avoid by leaving on time. | ~$50 USD per day (estimated) |
| Overstay fine maximum capMaximum fine may apply; exact cap varies. | ~$500 USD (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
Romanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Panama, as long as they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
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, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in urban and rural areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Occasional outbreaks; transmitted by mosquitoes.
Zika virusLow risk
Risk for pregnant women; use mosquito protection.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural areas of Darién and San Blas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended for most travellers.
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 12 de Octubre, Edificio 2000, Panama City
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency applications. Bring all original documents and copies.
David
Servicio Nacional de Migración – David
Calle 4ta, Edificio 2000, David, Chiriquí
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for western Panama. Useful for travellers near the Costa Rican border.
Practical information for RO 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. The visa-free entry is not extendable. You must leave before day 90. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
Not if you're arriving directly from Romania. But if you've recently been to a country with yellow fever (e.g., Brazil, Colombia), you'll need proof of vaccination.
You'll be denied boarding by the airline. Renew your passport before you travel. No exceptions.
Yes. Same visa-free rules apply at land borders. Have your passport and return ticket ready. The Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia is impassable by road — you'll need to fly or take a boat.
No. Panama does not require an online arrival declaration for Romanian passport holders. Just show up with your documents.
The Panamanian balboa (PAB) is the official currency, but US dollars are used everywhere. No need to exchange — just bring USD.
Technically, no. The 90-day visa-free entry is for tourism only. Remote work is a grey area — many digital nomads do it, but officially you need a work visa. Panama has a specific 'Short Stay Visa' for remote workers if you want to be legal.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.