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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Serbia to Panama: official requirements

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip, dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations and health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old and 3 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 4 official pages

In short

Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Serbia publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Serbia's Veterinary Directorate publishes its request form for an export certificate for live animals, with notes for pets, and answers on travelling to the EU. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply. Send the request early: the form gives the inspection up to 30 days to decide.

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

4 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip (30 days before the trip)

5 days

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives (3 to 5 business days before arrival: 7 to 5 calendar days is our conversion (always within that range on working weeks without holidays), not an official figure)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (dogs)

  • No rabies blood test
  • No import permit
  • No quarantine
  • Parasite treatment before travel
  • Tell the authority in advance

How early to start (cats)

4 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip (30 days before the trip)

5 days

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives (3 to 5 business days before arrival: 7 to 5 calendar days is our conversion (always within that range on working weeks without holidays), not an official figure)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (cats)

  • No rabies blood test
  • No import permit
  • No quarantine
  • Parasite treatment before travel
  • Tell the authority in advance

Prefer a feed reader? Serbia rule changes · Panama rule changes

Serbia → Panama

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Serbia (leaving) or Panama (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Panama

      Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip

      Your pet is vaccinated against rabies from 3 months of age, at least 30 days before the trip for a young animal; for an adult the vaccination must be within its validity. The vaccination card shows the dates, brand, batch and expiry.

      Details and the official words

      The page ties the 30 days to young animals ('cachorros'). We also apply it to an adult's first vaccination, to be safe: ask MIDA if your adult pet's first rabies vaccination was less than 30 days before the trip.

      “La vacuna antirrábica para caninos, felinos y hurones ha sido aplicada a partir de los tres (3) meses de edad y con treinta (30) días previos al viaje (cachorros). Y en los animales adultos las vacunas estén dentro del periodo de vigencia.”

      “Indicar las fechas de vacunación, marca, lote y fecha de expiración en su cartilla de vacunación.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Panama

      Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations

      Before the trip your dog must also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus.

      Details and the official words

      “Caninos: RABIA, DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, LEPTOSPIROSIS, PARVOVIRUS.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examLeaving Serbia

      Health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old

      A veterinary station or practice confirms your pet's health (уверење о здравственом стању). For a pet, this confirmation must be no more than 48 hours old when the veterinary inspection issues the export certificate.

      Details and the official words
    2. TreatmentEntering Panama

      Internal and external parasite treatments before boarding

      Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites before boarding, and the treatments are stated in its documents. The pages give no time window: ask your vet.

      Details and the official words

      “Indicar los tratamientos endo y ectoparasitarios realizados previos al embarque.”

    3. PaperworkSerbia and Panama

      Official export health certificate, apostilled, at most 30 days old

      The health authority of the country your pet comes from issues an official export health certificate stating that the pet was examined and is in good health. It must be legalised with an apostille (or by a Panamanian consulate) and be no more than 30 days old.

      Details and the official words

      Export certificate from a Serbian veterinary inspector: Send the request for an export certificate for live animals to the Veterinary Directorate's veterinary inspection (also by email to vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs) with the vet's health confirmation, the pet passport, the antibody test report and the import permit if your destination asks for them, and proof that you paid the two administrative taxes (420 + 9,160 = 9,580 dinars, one payment possible). As a pet owner you don't need an approved export establishment or a disinfection certificate for the vehicle. A Serbian veterinary inspector issues the certificate.

      The form gives the inspection up to 30 days from the request to decide, and treats a request as incomplete if missing documents aren't sent within 8 days. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply: ask the veterinary inspection, and allow for the 48-hour limit on the vet's health confirmation.

      “Documento oficial “Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación”, expedido por la Autoridad Sanitaria del país de procedencia, legalizados mediante “Apostillado” por Cancillería o Consularizado en oficinas diplomáticas panameñas con un máximo de treinta (30) días de emisión, donde conste que las mascotas (Perros, gatos y hurones) han sido examinados clínicamente presentando buen estado de salud.”

      “За некомерцијално кретање кућних љубимаца неопходан је ветеринарски сертификат који издаје надлежни ветеринарски инспектор Републике Србије.”

      “ЗАХТЕВ ЗА ИЗДАВАЊЕ СЕРТИФИКАТA ЗА ИЗВОЗ ЖИВИХ ЖИВОТИЊА”

      “Не достављају држаоци спортских коња, голубова, паса, мачака, птица кућних љубимаца, зечева и пчела”

      “Није потребно за извоз кућних љубимаца”

      “Само када је то захтев земље у коју се отпремају животиње”

      “vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs”

      “Рок за решавање поднетог захтева 30 дана од покретања поступка”

      “420,00 РСД”

      “Такса се плаћа заједно и за захтев и за издавање сертификата”

    4. NoticeEntering Panama

      Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives

      Email cam@minsa.gob.pa 3 to 5 business days before arrival with the request for entry of dogs, cats and ferrets, the export health certificate and the vaccination card.

      Details and the official words

      The 2026 pages name a 'Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones' form that we couldn't find online: ask MINSA for it.

      “Notificar de 3 a 5 días hábiles anticipadamente, la llegada de su mascota, enviando “la Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones, el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación del país de procedencia y la cartilla de vacunación”.”

      “Enviarlo a cam@minsa.gob.pa”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. CheckLeaving Serbia

      Pet passport (original)

      Bring your dog's or cat's original pet passport, issued by a veterinary station, with the request. The microchip and a valid rabies vaccination remain required for travel to the EU.

      Details and the official words
    2. On arrivalEntering Panama

      Checks at Tocumen airport: MIDA quarantine and MINSA zoonosis offices

      At Tocumen International Airport, go to MIDA's agricultural quarantine office and then MINSA's zoonosis office with your pet and documents, and pay in cash: MIDA's import licence (10 per species) and inspection (15 per animal), and MINSA's entry and inspection fee (40 per animal).

      Details and the official words

      “Pasos a seguir en Panamá – Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, presentarse en:”

      “B/. 10.00 (dólares) en efectivo por concepto de “Licencia Fito‐zoosanitaria de Importación”; (1) una licencia por especie.”

      “B/. 15.00 (dólares) en efectivo por la Inspección Veterinaria por animal.”

      “Ingreso de animales menores e inspección veterinaria: B/. 40 (dólares) en efectivo por animal.”

Good to know

  • If strict home quarantine is required, MINSA charges 130 balboas (US dollars) instead of 40. The 2026 pages don't say when it is required or for how long (an older MINSA form from 2013 said 40 days). Ask MINSA (cam@minsa.gob.pa) when you send your advance notice.
  • If any requirement isn't met, your pet will be held and/or sent back by the airline it arrived on.
  • Your pet must not have fresh or healing wounds.
  • All fees at Tocumen are paid in cash (balboas, at par with US dollars). MIDA's office is open 24 hours; MINSA's zoonosis office is open every day from 7 am to 10 pm.

Cats

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Panama

      Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip

      Your pet is vaccinated against rabies from 3 months of age, at least 30 days before the trip for a young animal; for an adult the vaccination must be within its validity. The vaccination card shows the dates, brand, batch and expiry.

      Details and the official words

      The page ties the 30 days to young animals ('cachorros'). We also apply it to an adult's first vaccination, to be safe: ask MIDA if your adult pet's first rabies vaccination was less than 30 days before the trip.

      “La vacuna antirrábica para caninos, felinos y hurones ha sido aplicada a partir de los tres (3) meses de edad y con treinta (30) días previos al viaje (cachorros). Y en los animales adultos las vacunas estén dentro del periodo de vigencia.”

      “Indicar las fechas de vacunación, marca, lote y fecha de expiración en su cartilla de vacunación.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Panama

      Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations

      Before the trip your cat must also be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia.

      Details and the official words

      “Felinos: RABIA, RINOTRAQUEITIS VIRAL FELINA, CALICIVIRUS FELINO, PANLEUCOPENIA FELINA.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examLeaving Serbia

      Health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old

      A veterinary station or practice confirms your pet's health (уверење о здравственом стању). For a pet, this confirmation must be no more than 48 hours old when the veterinary inspection issues the export certificate.

      Details and the official words
    2. TreatmentEntering Panama

      Internal and external parasite treatments before boarding

      Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites before boarding, and the treatments are stated in its documents. The pages give no time window: ask your vet.

      Details and the official words

      “Indicar los tratamientos endo y ectoparasitarios realizados previos al embarque.”

    3. PaperworkSerbia and Panama

      Official export health certificate, apostilled, at most 30 days old

      The health authority of the country your pet comes from issues an official export health certificate stating that the pet was examined and is in good health. It must be legalised with an apostille (or by a Panamanian consulate) and be no more than 30 days old.

      Details and the official words

      Export certificate from a Serbian veterinary inspector: Send the request for an export certificate for live animals to the Veterinary Directorate's veterinary inspection (also by email to vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs) with the vet's health confirmation, the pet passport, the antibody test report and the import permit if your destination asks for them, and proof that you paid the two administrative taxes (420 + 9,160 = 9,580 dinars, one payment possible). As a pet owner you don't need an approved export establishment or a disinfection certificate for the vehicle. A Serbian veterinary inspector issues the certificate.

      The form gives the inspection up to 30 days from the request to decide, and treats a request as incomplete if missing documents aren't sent within 8 days. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply: ask the veterinary inspection, and allow for the 48-hour limit on the vet's health confirmation.

      “Documento oficial “Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación”, expedido por la Autoridad Sanitaria del país de procedencia, legalizados mediante “Apostillado” por Cancillería o Consularizado en oficinas diplomáticas panameñas con un máximo de treinta (30) días de emisión, donde conste que las mascotas (Perros, gatos y hurones) han sido examinados clínicamente presentando buen estado de salud.”

      “За некомерцијално кретање кућних љубимаца неопходан је ветеринарски сертификат који издаје надлежни ветеринарски инспектор Републике Србије.”

      “ЗАХТЕВ ЗА ИЗДАВАЊЕ СЕРТИФИКАТA ЗА ИЗВОЗ ЖИВИХ ЖИВОТИЊА”

      “Не достављају држаоци спортских коња, голубова, паса, мачака, птица кућних љубимаца, зечева и пчела”

      “Није потребно за извоз кућних љубимаца”

      “Само када је то захтев земље у коју се отпремају животиње”

      “vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs”

      “Рок за решавање поднетог захтева 30 дана од покретања поступка”

      “420,00 РСД”

      “Такса се плаћа заједно и за захтев и за издавање сертификата”

    4. NoticeEntering Panama

      Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives

      Email cam@minsa.gob.pa 3 to 5 business days before arrival with the request for entry of dogs, cats and ferrets, the export health certificate and the vaccination card.

      Details and the official words

      The 2026 pages name a 'Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones' form that we couldn't find online: ask MINSA for it.

      “Notificar de 3 a 5 días hábiles anticipadamente, la llegada de su mascota, enviando “la Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones, el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación del país de procedencia y la cartilla de vacunación”.”

      “Enviarlo a cam@minsa.gob.pa”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. CheckLeaving Serbia

      Pet passport (original)

      Bring your dog's or cat's original pet passport, issued by a veterinary station, with the request. The microchip and a valid rabies vaccination remain required for travel to the EU.

      Details and the official words
    2. On arrivalEntering Panama

      Checks at Tocumen airport: MIDA quarantine and MINSA zoonosis offices

      At Tocumen International Airport, go to MIDA's agricultural quarantine office and then MINSA's zoonosis office with your pet and documents, and pay in cash: MIDA's import licence (10 per species) and inspection (15 per animal), and MINSA's entry and inspection fee (40 per animal).

      Details and the official words

      “Pasos a seguir en Panamá – Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, presentarse en:”

      “B/. 10.00 (dólares) en efectivo por concepto de “Licencia Fito‐zoosanitaria de Importación”; (1) una licencia por especie.”

      “B/. 15.00 (dólares) en efectivo por la Inspección Veterinaria por animal.”

      “Ingreso de animales menores e inspección veterinaria: B/. 40 (dólares) en efectivo por animal.”

Good to know

  • If strict home quarantine is required, MINSA charges 130 balboas (US dollars) instead of 40. The 2026 pages don't say when it is required or for how long (an older MINSA form from 2013 said 40 days). Ask MINSA (cam@minsa.gob.pa) when you send your advance notice.
  • If any requirement isn't met, your pet will be held and/or sent back by the airline it arrived on.
  • Your pet must not have fresh or healing wounds.
  • All fees at Tocumen are paid in cash (balboas, at par with US dollars). MIDA's office is open 24 hours; MINSA's zoonosis office is open every day from 7 am to 10 pm.

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Serbia publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

Government fees in total: 9,580 RSD + 65 USD (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

We have no published vet or lab prices for Serbia yet.

Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices

Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.

Round trip

Coming back to Serbia

Do before your pet leaves Serbia (dogs)

  • Microchip, before the rabies vaccination
  • Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry
  • Unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 5 steps: microchip, before the rabies vaccination, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry, unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before and serbian model health certificate, valid 10 days and more.

Do before your pet leaves Serbia (cats)

  • Microchip, before the rabies vaccination
  • Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry
  • Unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 5 steps: microchip, before the rabies vaccination, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry, unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before and serbian model health certificate, valid 10 days and more.

Every step from Panama to Serbia

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Serbia to Panama?

No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Panama?

No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Panama?

Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.

How early should I start preparing my pet for Serbia to Panama?

With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip, dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations and health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old and 3 more.

Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake

Read next

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