Relocating a pet from Panama to Austria follows a clear path once you understand what Austria asks for. This route takes some organising, and roughly 20-26 weeks of preparation is about right. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Panama to Austria
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Panama to Austria pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before any vaccination
Responsible: Panamanian vet (MIDA-registered)
Week 1 of preparation
2
Rabies vaccination administered after chip. Must be an approved product.
Responsible: Panamanian vet
Week 2-3 of preparation
3
Wait at least 30 days after vaccination before FAVN blood draw
Responsible: Panamanian vet
Week 6-7 (30+ days post-vaccination)
4
FAVN blood draw sent to an EU-approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above.
Responsible: Panamanian vet / accredited lab
Week 6-7
5
90-day wait from the date of the blood draw before entering Austria
Responsible: Pet owner (pet remains in Panama)
Weeks 7-20
6
Book cargo to Vienna (VIE) via PTY, targeting the end of the 90-day period
Responsible: PetTransportGlobal / pet owner
During the 90-day wait
7
DINASA-endorsed EU health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Responsible: MIDA-registered vet + DINASA
Within 10 days of travel
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Austria
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip, implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days must have elapsed since the primary vaccination.
Rabies titre test
REQUIRED. Panama is an unlisted third country under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above at an EU-approved laboratory.
Quarantine
None for compliant arrivals
Import permit
Not required
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate, endorsed by DINASA, issued within 10 days of travel
Export permit (Panama)
Not required for companion animals
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test: laboratory fee approx. USD 150-300 plus vet and shipping costs
Cargo from PTY to AMS, MAD, or FRA: EUR 700-1,500 for a medium dog
Second-leg cargo to Vienna (VIE): EUR 150-400
IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 80-250
DINASA endorsement fee: variable
AGES/BMSGPK import inspection fee on arrival at VIE
Critical points to read before you book
Panama is an unlisted third country under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. The FAVN titre test is mandatory, and the 90-day wait begins from the date of the blood draw, NOT the date of the result. Starting preparations at least 22-26 weeks before the target departure date is strongly advised.
The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Drawing blood earlier invalidates the test for EU import purposes, and you would need to revaccinate and restart the 30-day wait.
The 90-day mandatory wait cannot be shortened under any circumstances. If your pet's titre result comes back below 0.5 IU/ml, revaccination is required and the full 30-day pre-test wait and 90-day post-blood-draw wait restart.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
COPA AIRLINES
Copa Airlines
Copa's hub at Tocumen (PTY) connects to Amsterdam (AMS), Madrid (MAD), and US gateways. Check live animal cargo acceptance per booking. Copa to AMS or MAD then onward to Vienna (VIE).
Cargo Only
IBERIA (CARGO)
Iberia (Cargo)
PTY to Madrid (MAD). Iberia Cargo handles live animals. From MAD, onward cargo to Vienna (VIE) via Austrian Airlines or British Airways.
Cargo Only
KLM ROYAL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Copa to AMS then KLM Cargo connection to VIE. KLM's live animal handling at Schiphol is well established. AMS to VIE is a short second leg.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa (Cargo)
Via Frankfurt (FRA). Copa to US gateway then Lufthansa to FRA, or Copa to MAD then connection to FRA. FRA to VIE is a very short sector.
Cargo Only
AUSTRIAN
Austrian Airlines
Second-leg carrier into Vienna (VIE). Austrian Airlines Cargo operates from several European hubs to its Vienna home base.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Austria
Austria asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.
How to keep this move on track
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about Panama to Austria pet transport
No. The 90-day waiting period after the blood draw is mandated by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. It cannot be waived, shortened, or paid for. It begins from the date of the blood draw, not from when the result is received or when the vaccination was given. The only way to shorten the total preparation timeline is to begin as early as possible.
Your pet does not have to remain in Panama during the 90-day wait, but if it travels to another country, you would need to ensure the titre test record remains valid for the onward EU entry. If the pet travels to a listed EU or EEA country and then enters Austria from there, the rules change. Consult PetTransportGlobal if your situation involves an intermediate country.
The EU maintains a list of approved laboratories under Commission Decision 2000/258/EC. Approved labs in the US, Canada, the UK, and several other countries accept samples from Panama. Your MIDA-registered vet can ship the blood sample to an approved facility. Common options include ANSES (France), the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (UK), and Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory (US). Confirm with the laboratory that they accept samples from Panama and can provide results in the required format.
Airline guides
Copa Airlines
Iberia (Cargo)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Lufthansa (Cargo)
Austrian Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.