A move from Panama to Norway with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-26 weeks. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Panama to Norway
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 Norway 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 vaccination
Responsible: MIDA-registered vet in Panama
Week 1
2
Rabies vaccination post-chip
Responsible: MIDA-registered vet
Week 2-3
3
30-day minimum wait before FAVN blood draw
Responsible: Pet owner
Weeks 3-7
4
FAVN blood draw sent to EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: MIDA-registered vet
Week 7
5
90-day wait from blood draw date
Responsible: Pet owner
Weeks 7-20
6
Book cargo to Oslo (OSL) for travel after the 90-day period
Responsible: PetTransportGlobal / pet owner
During the wait
7
DINASA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Responsible: MIDA-registered vet + DINASA
Within 10 days of travel
8
For DOGS ONLY: praziquantel or epsiprantel Echinococcus treatment administered by a vet 24-120 hours before arrival in Norway. Documented in health certificate.
Responsible: Vet at layover airport
24-120 hours before arrival in Norway
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Norway
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 post-primary before travel.
Rabies titre test
REQUIRED. Panama is an unlisted country. FAVN or ELISA test, blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or above at EU-approved laboratory. 90-day wait from blood draw date.
Quarantine
None for compliant arrivals
Import permit
Not required
Health certificate
EU-equivalent health certificate, DINASA-endorsed, issued within 10 days of travel
Export permit (Panama)
Not required for companion animals
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test: USD 150-300 lab fee plus vet and sample shipping
Cargo PTY to AMS, MAD, or FRA: EUR 700-1,500
Second-leg cargo to Oslo (OSL): EUR 200-500
IATA-approved crate: EUR 80-250
Echinococcus treatment for dogs: vet fee at layover airport
DINASA documentation fees
Mattilsynet border inspection fee at OSL
Critical points to read before you book
Panama to Norway has TWO distinct mandatory requirements that both must be met: (1) the FAVN titre test and 90-day wait (unlisted country requirement), and (2) the Echinococcus tapeworm treatment for dogs 24-120 hours before arrival (Norway-specific requirement). Both must be completed. Cats are exempt from the Echinococcus treatment.
The Echinococcus treatment must be administered and documented separately from the titre test process. A vet at the layover airport (London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt) must administer praziquantel or epsiprantel and sign the health certificate addendum. Allow at least four to six hours at the layover for this.
Norway is not an EU member. While it follows EU-equivalent rules, confirm requirements with Mattilsynet at mattilsynet.no or with PetTransportGlobal before finalising travel.
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
PTY to AMS or MAD. Then SAS or KLM cargo to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL). Copa is the primary carrier from Panama to European hubs.
Cargo Only
SAS
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Second-leg from AMS, FRA, or LHR to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL). SAS Cargo handles live animals and OSL is the main cargo hub for Norway.
Cargo Only
KLM ROYAL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Copa to AMS, then KLM or SAS to OSL. Amsterdam Schiphol has good live animal handling and AMS to OSL is a short connection.
Cargo Only
IBERIA (CARGO)
Iberia (Cargo)
PTY to MAD. From MAD, SAS or Norwegian Air Shuttle cargo to OSL. Madrid is the main transatlantic hub for Panama to Europe cargo.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa (Cargo)
Via Frankfurt (FRA). FRA to OSL via SAS or Lufthansa. FRA's animal centre handles the longer Central American leg comfortably.
Cargo Only
Norway entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Norway involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Getting the details right
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about Panama to Norway pet transport
They are sequential requirements, not concurrent. The titre test process takes place in Panama over 20-26 weeks and must be complete before travel. The Echinococcus treatment takes place at the hub airport during the layover, 24-120 hours before arrival in Oslo. You do not need to worry about the Echinococcus treatment until your cargo is booked and your travel dates are set. Focus first on completing the titre test and 90-day wait.
No. The DINASA-endorsed health certificate is prepared and endorsed in Panama covering the titre test and rabies vaccination details. The Echinococcus treatment documentation is added as a supplementary declaration or amendment at the layover vet visit, after DINASA has endorsed the main certificate. Mattilsynet accepts this combination of the main DINASA certificate plus the layover vet’s supplementary declaration.
There is no direct flight between PTY and OSL. A stopover is unavoidable, and it is actually the practical solution for the Echinococcus treatment. Even if a direct route existed, the 24-120 hour window for the treatment would require the treatment to be given in Panama 1-5 days before departure, which is logistically complex. The layover approach at LHR, AMS, or FRA is the established and recommended method for this route.
Airline guides
Copa Airlines
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Iberia (Cargo)
Lufthansa (Cargo)
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.