Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Panama, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.  Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.  In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

Driving under the influence can land you immediately in jail.  These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.  There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.  For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. 

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States, as is commercial sex with a person under the age of 18.

If you break local laws in Panama, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution, and the embassy cannot get you out of jail or prison.  Keep in mind, if you are arrested for an offence, tried and convicted, you must be sentenced before you can be repatriated to the United States to complete your sentence in the United States.  This process can last three or more years.  It is very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are going. 

Persons violating Panamanian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Panama are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

If you are arrested in Panama, authorities of Panama are not required to alert the U.S. Embassy of your arrest unless requested to do so.  If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request that the police notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest.  

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:  Anyone not bearing identification at all times, including tourists from the United States, may be held and will be penalized by the Panamanian authorities. 

U.S. tourists need to provide a valid passport to enter Panama.  While in Panama, U.S tourists should carry either their passport or a valid photo I.D. such as driver’s license with a photocopy of the bio-data page of their U.S. passport and a photocopy of the page in their passport that contains the Panama entry stamp.

The U.S. Embassy in Panama regularly receives calls from persons who have been contacted regarding fraudulent requests for bail funds.  These calls are from international money-wiring fraud rings targeting older U.S. citizens in the United States.  Protect yourself by reading about common international financial scams on our website.

The typical scenario is that a family member – parent, aunt or uncle, or grandparent – receives a call regarding an emergency involving a son, nephew, or grandchild allegedly in Panama.  The call is sometimes from a third party (such as someone claiming to be an attorney), sometimes from someone claiming to be the actual family member in trouble.  Sometimes the "emergency" is because of a traffic accident, an arrest, an immigration violation, or other ruse.

In all instances, the victim needs approximately $3,000 to solve their problem with the local authorities, be it an attorney, the police, a hospital, or immigration.  Once the money is sent, more is requested.  The family member is sometimes falsely told that the U.S. Embassy is involved on behalf of the victim and is given a phone number to contact “Embassy personnel” for information on wiring funds; in other cases, they are told not to contact the U.S. Embassy because it will make their situation worse.

In all cases, the victim is told that sharing the information with law enforcement could have negative implications for their loved ones.  These calls are fraudulent and no Embassy personnel are involved.  Anyone who receives such a call is advised to first contact their loved one at their usual number in the United States.  In most instances, the alleged victim has been reachable by normal means.  Please notify the Embassy as well as local authorities or the FBI about such schemes.

The U.S. Embassy in Panama has received numerous property dispute complaints.  The complaints include lost property, broken contracts, and demands for additional payments, accusations of fraud and corruption, and occasionally threats of violence.  There are two root causes for a large proportion of the complaints – title issues and a weak judiciary.

Much of the land in Panama is not titled.  The lack of clear title leads to competing claims to property and frequently to lawsuits.  The judicial system’s capacity to resolve contractual and property disputes is weak and open to corruption.  U.S. Citizens should exercise extreme diligence in purchasing real estate.

Consulting a reputable attorney and licensed real estate broker is strongly recommended.  U.S. Citizens considering purchasing property in Panama may wish to contact the American Chamber of Commerce in Panama City for further guidance.  For more information, please see our Property Information Sheet, which also includes a link to a list of attorneys that are willing to assist US citizens abroad.

In case of a death abroad, contact the U.S. Embassy and request a death certificate.  The Embassy can also help the next of kin retrieve the belongings of the deceased and assist you in organizing the funeral arrangements or transport the remains back to the United States

LGBT RIGHTS: Same sex marriages are not conducted nor recognized in Panama.  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals enjoy full legal rights in Panama.  However, Panamanian law does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and there is societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page. 

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Panama, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.  Panamanian law only mandates access to new or remodeled public buildings for persons with disabilities, which is being enforced for new construction.  While some public buses and buildings do accommodate wheelchairs, many do not.  Handicapped parking is often available at many larger parking lots.