Panama has reinstated its “Seguro al Turista,” a free insurance program for international visitors.
Since September 10, 2026, foreign tourists who legally enter the country by air have automatically been covered for the first 10 days of their stay in Panama. The program also applies to Panamanian citizens who live abroad.
Unlike insurance programs recently introduced by some other destinations, travelers do not need to purchase insurance before traveling to Panama. The coverage is a benefit provided and funded by the Panamanian government.
Travelers therefore have no additional forms to complete, no registration process and no fees to pay. Coverage is activated automatically once they are admitted into the country by immigration authorities.
10 days of free insurance upon arrival in Panama
On its official website, Visit Panamá explains that the insurance is available to travelers under the age of 86 who arrive by air at one of the six airports participating in the program.
Coverage begins upon entry into the country and remains valid throughout Panama for the first 10 days of the stay.
The six participating airports are:
- Tocumen International Airport, in Panama City;
- Panamá Pacífico International Airport;
- Enrique Malek International Airport, in Chiriquí Province;
- Scarlett Martínez Airport, in Río Hato, Coclé Province;
- Enrique Adolfo Jiménez Airport, in Colón Province;
- José Ezequiel Hall Airport, on Isla Colón in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
Travelers entering Panama by land or sea, however, are not eligible for the free insurance.
What does Panama’s free tourist insurance cover?
The policy includes coverage for accidents and sudden illnesses that are not related to pre-existing conditions, along with several assistance services.
The official website lists benefits including:
- medical and hospital care;
- medical transfers;
- international repatriation;
- legal assistance in the event of theft or an accident;
- 24/7 assistance, including in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
Coverage limits vary depending on the type of service.
Under the terms established when the policy was introduced, hospitalization and certain medical expenses are covered up to $15,000, while medical transportation to a hospital in Panama is covered up to $10,000. Medical evacuation abroad by air ambulance may be covered up to $50,000 when medically necessary.
Dental expenses resulting from an accident are covered up to $1,000, while prescription drugs provided outside a hospital setting are limited to $500. The policy also provides up to $20,000 in the event of accidental death and $10,000 for the repatriation of remains.
The $50,000 figure sometimes presented as the overall insurance limit therefore does not represent the amount available for all medical care. Each benefit is subject to its own coverage cap.
Pre-existing conditions are not covered
The program is not intended to cover every medical situation.
Visit Panamá states that chronic, congenital and pre-existing conditions are excluded. The insurance is primarily designed to cover accidents and sudden illnesses that occur during the trip.
Its 10-day limit is another important difference compared with a conventional travel insurance policy. Travelers planning to remain in Panama for longer than 10 days are no longer covered by the government-funded program once that period ends.
In the event of a problem, authorities recommend contacting the assistance center first. The service will open the case, assess the situation and arrange the appropriate care.
Assistance is available 24/7 by phone at +507 840 4585, via WhatsApp at +1 305 722 5824, or by email at seguroalturista@iseguros.com.
A government-funded insurance program designed to attract visitors
The return of the insurance program had been announced several months before its launch.
In April 2026, the Panamanian government authorized up to 3.5 million balboas in additional funding for the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) to finance the policy for foreign visitors and Panamanian citizens living abroad who arrive by air.
Management of the program was awarded to Compañía Internacional de Seguros, at a cost of $1.59 per insured visitor, with annual spending capped at $3.5 million.
The concept is not entirely new in Panama. A similar insurance program for visitors operated between 2011 and 2014 before being discontinued. The government decided to bring the program back in 2026 as part of its efforts to promote Panama internationally as a tourism destination.
VisasNews Take
Panama’s tourist insurance program is not a new entry requirement and does not need to be purchased before departure. Coverage is automatically provided to eligible travelers entering the country through one of the six participating airports. However, its 10-day duration, benefit-specific coverage limits and exclusion of pre-existing conditions mean it may not provide the same level of protection as a standalone travel insurance policy, particularly for longer stays.
