PA
Panama
✈️
IE
Ireland

Pet Transport from Panama to Ireland: 2026 Guide

20-28 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Get a free quote →
Lead time needed
20-28 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
Start my quote
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Panama to Ireland typically takes around 20-28 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.

Start your journey

Get Your Free Quote

Enter your pet's details and route

Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.

No obligation. Your details are kept private and never shared.

Regulations checked

Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →

Overview

Planning a pet relocation from Panama to Ireland is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Set aside roughly 20-28 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival.

This route requires a rabies titre test with a set waiting period, so do not leave it late. The guide below walks through each stage so nothing gets missed.

Step by step

The Panama to Ireland process

1
Before the rabies vaccination.
Confirm the ISO microchip is implanted and scannable.

Responsible: Vet in Panama.

2
At least 30 days before the FAVN blood draw.
Administer or confirm current rabies vaccination.

Responsible: MIDA-registered vet.

3
30 or more days after vaccination. Sample ships internationally; allow 2-4 weeks for results.
Draw blood for the FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory.

Responsible: Vet and EU-approved laboratory.

4
Fixed. Cannot be shortened.
90-day mandatory wait from the blood draw date.

Responsible: N/A

5
24 to 120 hours before the scheduled Dublin arrival.
For dogs, administer the praziquantel tapeworm treatment.

Responsible: Vet in Panama, close to the departure date.

6
24 hours or more before arrival for the portal filing; certificate within 10 days of travel.
File the DAFM Advance Notice Portal declaration and obtain the MIDA-DINASA-endorsed export certificate.

Responsible: Owner or agent; MIDA-registered vet.

Checklist

Ireland: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipRequired. ISO 11784/11785. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination and must match every document.
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Minimum age 12 weeks. 21-day wait after the primary vaccination.
Rabies titre testRequired. Panama is an EU unlisted third country. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, minimum result 0.5 IU/ml, blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, then a fixed 90-day wait from the blood draw date. Source: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636.
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant arrivals. Non-compliant documentation can trigger detention at DAFM's discretion.
Import permitNot required, but arrival must be notified through DAFM's Advance Notice Portal at least 24 hours before landing.
Health certificateEU-format Animal Health Certificate endorsed by MIDA-DINASA, issued within 10 days of travel.
Leaving Panama

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitNo formal export permit required for companion animals leaving Panama.
Health certificateOfficial export health certificate from a MIDA-registered vet in Panama, completed in EU format for Ireland and endorsed by the Dirección Nacional de Sanidad Animal (DINASA) within MIDA. Issued within 10 days of travel.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1FAVN titre test plus international sample shipping: USD 200-320.
2MIDA-DINASA-endorsed export health certificate: USD 90-170.
3Tapeworm treatment (dogs): USD 20-45.
4Cargo fee, Panama City to Dublin via Madrid: USD 1,400-2,600 depending on crate size and season.
5IATA-approved travel crate: USD 120-380.
6Total typical range: USD 2,200-4,300 over 5-7 months.
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ The 90-day wait runs from the blood draw date, not the result date. Start the process at least six months before your intended travel date.
⚠ Ireland's tapeworm rule applies to dogs from almost every country. Panama is not on the short exemption list, so the treatment is mandatory.
⚠ The DAFM Advance Notice Portal filing is separate from the health certificate and must be completed at least 24 hours before your flight lands, or your pet risks being held at Dublin Airport.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Iberia via Madrid
Copa Airlines or Iberia covers Panama City (PTY) to Madrid (MAD), connecting to an onward Dublin (DUB) service. Madrid remains the primary European gateway for Panama-origin cargo.
Cargo Only
Aer Lingus
Handles the Dublin-end connection from Madrid or another major European hub when the first-leg carrier does not fly directly into DUB. Cargo only on this corridor.
Cargo Only
KLM via Amsterdam
PTY to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) via a US hub, then a short AMS-DUB leg. A workable alternative if the Madrid connection does not suit your travel dates.
Cargo Only

Ireland import rules, explained

Ireland asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

Practical tips for this move

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Panama is an EU unlisted third country, so a FAVN or ELISA titre test is required, with a minimum result of 0.5 IU/ml and a 90-day wait from the blood draw date.
Yes. Ireland requires it for dogs from almost every country except Finland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland. Panama is not exempt.
An online arrival declaration that must be filed at least 24 hours before your pet’s flight lands in Ireland, separate from the health certificate.
No. Pets travel via a European hub, most commonly Madrid with Iberia connecting to Aer Lingus.
Airline guides
  • Iberia via Madrid
  • Aer Lingus
  • KLM via Amsterdam
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →
Ready to book
Panama to Ireland?
Get a free quote →
No commitment. We reply within one business day.
Chat with us