Moving a dog or cat from Panama to Sweden is very doable with the right preparation. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
The full …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Panama to Sweden
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 Sweden 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 blood draw
Responsible: Pet owner
Weeks 3-7
4
FAVN blood draw sent to EU-approved laboratory. Await result of 0.5 IU/ml or above.
Responsible: MIDA-registered vet
Week 7
5
90-day wait from blood draw date. Do not depart for Sweden until this period is complete.
Responsible: Pet owner
Weeks 7-20
6
Book cargo space to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) during the wait 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 Sweden
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 third 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 Annex IV non-commercial 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 Stockholm Arlanda (ARN): EUR 200-500
IATA-approved crate: EUR 80-250
DINASA documentation fees
Jordbruksverket border inspection fee at ARN
Critical points to read before you book
Panama is an unlisted country under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. The titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory. Total preparation is 20-26 weeks minimum.
Unlike Norway and Finland, Sweden does NOT require a mandatory Echinococcus tapeworm treatment for dogs arriving from Panama. This is one complication that this route avoids.
Stockholm Arlanda cargo terminal requires pre-notification for live animal shipments. Your freight forwarder must complete this step before arrival. Allow time for Jordbruksverket inspection on arrival, which can take two to four hours.
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 via Copa. Then SAS or KLM cargo to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN). Copa is the main carrier from Panama to European hubs.
Cargo Only
SAS
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Second-leg carrier from AMS, FRA, or LHR to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN). SAS Cargo handles live animals and ARN is Sweden's main international cargo hub.
Cargo Only
KLM ROYAL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Copa to AMS, then KLM or SAS to ARN. Amsterdam to Stockholm is a well-served short connection. KLM's Schiphol animal facility is reliable.
Cargo Only
IBERIA (CARGO)
Iberia (Cargo)
PTY to MAD. From MAD, SAS or Iberia connections to ARN. Iberia is the main transatlantic cargo link from Panama to Madrid.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa (Cargo)
Via Frankfurt (FRA). FRA to ARN served by SAS and Lufthansa. Frankfurt's animal centre handles the long transatlantic leg well.
Cargo Only
Sweden entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for Sweden are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Getting the details right
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.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about Panama to Sweden pet transport
A passing FAVN result (0.5 IU/ml or above) remains valid for EU entry for the lifetime of the current rabies vaccination, as long as the vaccination does not expire. There is no expiry on the titre test result itself. If the rabies vaccination expires and a booster is given within the validity period of the previous dose, no new titre test is needed. If the vaccination lapses entirely and a new primary course is required, a new titre test and 90-day wait would be needed before EU re-entry.
Sweden does not require a separate post-arrival registration with a national pet database in the same way that some other EU countries do, but registration with a local vet and an annual rabies booster are good practice. Some municipalities require dogs to be registered for local dog tax purposes. Check with your local commune (kommun) after arrival.
Yes, up to five pets per owner can travel on a single EU health certificate for non-commercial movement. Each pet must be individually identified by microchip on the certificate, and each must have its own titre test result and vaccination records. If you have more than five pets, a second certificate is required. For large numbers of animals, additional cargo bookings will be needed as cargo space per animal requires its own slot.
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.