Panamanian citizens do not require a visa for short visits (less than 90 days) to European countries within the Schengen area. This is possible thanks to the agreement between the EU and Panama on short-stay visa waiver. It is important to remember that the 90 consecutive days in any 180-day period is calculated as a single period for all European countries you visit. 

The Schengen Agreement allows many borders between EU and associated countries to be crossed without controls. In addition, the introduction of the euro in 20 countries has eliminated the cost and inconvenience of having to exchange currencies. 

The countries that are part of the Schengen area that you can visit without a visa or border controls are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania are not yet fully participating in the Schengen area. Travel to those countries therefore requires a valid passport or identity card. Ireland is a member of the EU but not of the Schengen area, so it is governed by its own national laws that differ from these rules. 

Remember that before traveling you will have to make sure that you comply with the immigration rules and requirements of your destination country. Although no visa is required, at the border or during other checks you will have to comply with a number of requirements or provide additional information and documents: 

• Electronic or machine-readable passport that will remain valid until at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen area. 
• Round trip ticket not exceeding 90 days. 
• Information on how long you intend to stay in the country and what is the reason for your trip. 
• In case your stay is in a hotel, proof of reservations where you will stay. In case of staying in the private residence of family or friends in the countries you visit, it is necessary to have the application or invitation document, according to the regulations of the Member State.  
• Sufficient economic resources for your stay, which depend on the country you visit and whether your stay is in hotel or in private residence. 
• It is recommended to have medical insurance in case of accident or emergency of 30,000 euros or more of coverage. 

On the Travel in Europe website you will find other useful tips on a wide variety of topics, from what documents you need, what your rights are as a passenger, how to drive a car or get medical care, to how to use your cell phone. 

No paid economic activity can be carried out during tourist trips or family visits. Stays exceeding three months and/or with the purpose of paid employment contracts require a residence and/or work permit. The obtaining of such a visa shall be governed by national conditions. Find more information on the EU Immigration Portal. 

People who are not nationals of but reside in Panama and wish to travel to the Schengen zone, must first check if the passport of their country of origin requires the Schengen visa. A single visa, which must be issued by the country from which the trip to Europe begins, allows you to visit all the countries of the Schengen area and cross internal borders without the need for additional formalities. Some of the documents that are required include: application, passport, passport-sized photo, documentation on the purpose of the trip, one or two-way tickets, sufficient financial resources, medical insurance. 

Important: Applicants for a visa for any country of the European Union must go to the consulate of the first state to which they plan to arrive or the country where they intend to spend the longest period. The EU delegation does not process visas.

Learn more about EU border and visa policies. 

Erasmus+ is the European Union programme supporting actions in education, training, youth and sport. 

Within the framework of education, it offers opportunities to students, teachers and institutions around the world. Through grant and project funding, Erasmus+ has been promoting mobility and cooperation between universities for more than 35 years. 

Opportunities open to Panama include: Internacional Credit Mobility, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Capacity Building in Higher Education and Vocational Education, Jean Monnet Actions. 

Keep reading. 

Horizon Europe is the EU framework programme for research and innovation. It addresses climate change, contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), boosts competitiveness and economic growth, and optimises the impact of investment. The programme develops talent, facilitates collaboration and reinforces the impact of research and innovation for public policy development. 

International cooperation, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), is an engine for world-class research and innovation. Keep reading.

In addition to the European Union scholarships and projects (Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe), the different Member States have their own offers for educational, internships, volunteering and other exchanges. 

Some examples include Germany's DAAD, France's Campusfrance, or grants by individual universities like in the cases of Spain and Italy. 

See the different opportunities.