Panama
Latin America & the Caribbean · 16 specs
Direct Answer
Panama (PA / PAN / 591) operates on a 120 V / 60 Hz electrical grid using NEMA 1-15 (Type A) and NEMA 5-15 (Type B) sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currencies are the Panamanian Balboa (PAB) and US Dollar (USD, $), calling code is +507, emergency dispatch is 911, and paper standard is Carta (US Letter).
Source: ASEP / ISO 3166-1 / Correos de Panamá (COTEL) · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Republic of Panama ISO 3166-1 |
| Local Endonym | República de Panamá |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | PA |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | PAN |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 591 UN M49 (Code 419) |
| Country Calling Code | +507 ASEP (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 dial prefix for international calls |
| Internet ccTLD | .pa NIC Panama |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Panamanian Balboa (PAB) & US Dollar (USD, $) 1:1 Peg with USD |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 120 V, 60 Hz ASEP Standard |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15) 15 A / 125 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) ATTT Standard |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric & US Customary mix National standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | Carta (US Letter / 215.9 × 279.4 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 911 (Police: 104, Fire: 103) SUME 911 |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC-5 (EST) No DST observed |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 120 V, 60 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15). Uses North American style Type A (2-blade ungrounded) and Type B (3-prong grounded) receptacles.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +507. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 911 (Police: 104, Fire: 103). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB) & US Dollar (USD, $).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize Carta (US Letter / 215.9 × 279.4 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC-5 (EST).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes Standard postal system.
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Republic of Panama.