Panama has just added a new service to its tourism welcome system. Since 10 September 2026, international visitors legally entering the country by air benefit from free medical insurance during the first ten days of their stay. The programme, funded by the State through the Panama Tourism Authority, is activated automatically when passing through immigration, with no form to complete and no additional payment.
The measure applies to foreign tourists, as well as Panamanians residing outside the country. It covers travellers arriving through the six participating international airports: Tocumen, Panamá Pacífico, Enrique Malek in Chiriquí, Scarlett Martínez in Río Hato, Enrique Adolfo Jiménez in Colón and José Ezequiel Hall in Bocas del Toro.
A simple service to explain
The main advantage of the system lies in its simplicity: travellers do not need to take any steps before departure or present any additional proof upon arrival. Once the entry stamp has been obtained, the coverage is activated for the first ten days of the stay.
According to information shared by the authorities, the ten-day period takes into account the average length of stay observed among visitors, around eight days. A previous version of the programme provided thirty days of coverage, but the duration was adjusted to better reflect current travel patterns and the costs of the system.
For Panama, the insurance strengthens a message already developed in recent months: the country wants to make stays smoother, more reassuring and easier to organize, whether for leisure or business travel, an extended stopover or a congress.
What the insurance covers
The “Seguro al Turista” covers accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses occurring during the stay in Panama. It notably includes medical and hospital assistance, medical emergencies, certain medications, dental emergencies, medical transfers, medical evacuation and international repatriation. Coverage can reach up to 50,000 dollars depending on the type of service, and is available to travellers up to 86 years of age.
The programme also includes administrative and legal assistance in the event of an accident, theft or loss of documents. If needed, visitors can contact an assistance centre available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with service in Spanish, English, Portuguese and French.
The details of the conditions remain important. The insurance does not cover pre-existing illnesses or chronic conditions diagnosed before the trip. Certain situations are also excluded, including incidents related to alcohol or drug consumption, illegal acts, terrorist acts, major natural disasters or events occurring after the covered period has ended.
An element of confidence for the destination
This insurance arrives in a very favourable tourism context for Panama. The country ended the first half of 2026 with 1.76 million international visitors, an increase of 17.4% compared with the same period in 2025, and nearly 3.5 billion dollars in tourism revenue. Tocumen Airport remains a central asset, but the country is also seeking to strengthen the experience on the ground, through stopovers, meetings tourism, ecotourism, coastal travel, heritage and more structured stays.
The scheme does not replace comprehensive travel insurance, particularly for longer stays or travellers seeking broader guarantees. However, it does add immediate protection upon arrival, easy to understand and valid throughout the national territory for eligible visitors. This is where the measure may prove most useful: a concrete service capable of strengthening confidence when choosing or extending a stay in Panama.
Visit the official website: https://seguroalturista.com/
Photos: VisitPanama
