We develop new higher-order asymptotic techniques for the Gaussian maximum likelihood estimator in a spatial panel data model, with fixed effects, time-varying covariates, and spatially correlated errors. Our saddlepoint density and tail area approximation feature 'relative error' of order O(1/(n(T −1))) with 'n' being the cross-sectional dimension and 'T' the time-series dimension. The main theoretical tool is the tilted-Edgeworth technique in a non-identically distributed setting. The density approximation is always non-negative, does not need resampling, and is accurate in the tails. Monte Carlo experiments on density approximation and testing in the presence of nuisance parameters illustrate the good performance of our approximation over first-order asymptotics and Edgeworth expansion. An empirical application to the investment-saving relationship in OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries shows disagreement between testing results based on first-order asymptotics and saddlepoint techniques.