Panama Establishes Procedure to Verify Authenticity of Medical Certificates of Incapacity

Panama, August 21, 2025. By means of Executive Decree No. 17 dated August 11, 2025, the Government of Panama has established the regulatory framework for the procedure to verify the authenticity of Medical Certificates of Incapacity.

The purpose of this regulation is to ensure proper management, monitoring, control, and traceability of such certificates, thereby strengthening the legal and health security of the population.

Key Provisions:

Pursuant to Article 200 of the Labor Code, for a medical certificate of incapacity to be deemed valid, it must meet the following requirements:

• Be issued and stamped by duly accredited medical professionals.
• Be pre-numbered.
• Include the registration number granted by the Directorate General of Health to the physician.
• Contain the physician’s full name, address, telephone number, and the name of the public institution or private company issuing the certificate.
• Specify the exact date and time of commencement and conclusion of the incapacity.

If the medical certificates submitted by employees to justify their absences do not comply with these requirements, the employer may request verification of the authenticity of the certificate by submitting a formal request to the Ministry of Health, using the designated form.

Once the request is filed, the Regional Health Authority will conduct a technical inspection, reviewing the clinical record to confirm the accuracy of the data stated in the certificate. Upon completion, the Authority will issue a formal written response to the applicant.

Effective Date:

Executive Decree No. 17 will enter into force sixty (60) days after its promulgation, i.e., on October 11, 2025.

Repeals:
This decree repeals the following regulations:

• Executive Decree No. 210 of July 26, 2001 (regulating the issuance of medical certificates of incapacity).
• Executive Decree No. 19 of March 9, 2016 (amending Executive Decree No. 210 of 2001).
• Resolution No. 31 of May 11, 1999 (provisions related to Decree No. 12 of January 27, 1983, on the regulation of medical certificates of incapacity).

For further information, you may contact our Labor & Employment Law Department team at [email protected].