diff --git a/abstract_client.h b/abstract_client.h
--- a/abstract_client.h
+++ b/abstract_client.h
@@ -416,6 +416,18 @@
     virtual const WindowRules* rules() const = 0;
     virtual void takeFocus() = 0;
     virtual bool wantsInput() const = 0;
+    /**
+     * Whether a dock window wants input.
+     *
+     * By default KWin doesn't pass focus to a dock window unless a force activate
+     * request is provided.
+     *
+     * This method allows to have dock windows take focus also through flags set on
+     * the window.
+     *
+     * The default implementation returns @c false.
+     **/
+    virtual bool dockWantsInput() const;
     void checkWorkspacePosition(QRect oldGeometry = QRect(), int oldDesktop = -2,  QRect oldClientGeometry = QRect());
     virtual xcb_timestamp_t userTime() const;
     virtual void updateWindowRules(Rules::Types selection) = 0;
diff --git a/abstract_client.cpp b/abstract_client.cpp
--- a/abstract_client.cpp
+++ b/abstract_client.cpp
@@ -1634,4 +1634,9 @@
     return Toplevel::inputGeometry();
 }
 
+bool AbstractClient::dockWantsInput() const
+{
+    return false;
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/activation.cpp b/activation.cpp
--- a/activation.cpp
+++ b/activation.cpp
@@ -371,8 +371,13 @@
         }
         cancelDelayFocus();
     }
-    if (!flags.testFlag(ActivityFocusForce) && (c->isDock() || c->isSplash()))
-        flags &= ~ActivityFocus; // toplevel menus and dock windows don't take focus if not forced
+    if (!flags.testFlag(ActivityFocusForce) && (c->isDock() || c->isSplash())) {
+        // toplevel menus and dock windows don't take focus if not forced
+        // and don't have a flag that they take focus
+	if (!c->dockWantsInput()) {
+	    flags &= ~ActivityFocus;
+	}
+    }
     if (c->isShade()) {
         if (c->wantsInput() && (flags & ActivityFocus)) {
             // client cannot accept focus, but at least the window should be active (window menu, et. al. )
diff --git a/autotests/integration/plasma_surface_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/plasma_surface_test.cpp
--- a/autotests/integration/plasma_surface_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/plasma_surface_test.cpp
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@
     void testOSDPlacement();
     void testPanelTypeHasStrut_data();
     void testPanelTypeHasStrut();
+    void testPanelActivate_data();
+    void testPanelActivate();
 
 private:
     ConnectionThread *m_connection = nullptr;
@@ -368,5 +370,36 @@
     QCOMPARE(stackingOrder.last(), panel);
 }
 
+void PlasmaSurfaceTest::testPanelActivate_data()
+{
+    QTest::addColumn<bool>("wantsFocus");
+    QTest::addColumn<bool>("active");
+
+    QTest::newRow("no focus") << false << false;
+    QTest::newRow("focus") << true << true;
+}
+
+void PlasmaSurfaceTest::testPanelActivate()
+{
+    QScopedPointer<Surface> surface(Test::createSurface());
+    QVERIFY(!surface.isNull());
+    QScopedPointer<QObject> shellSurface(Test::createShellSurface(Test::ShellSurfaceType::WlShell, surface.data()));
+    QVERIFY(!shellSurface.isNull());
+    QScopedPointer<PlasmaShellSurface> plasmaSurface(m_plasmaShell->createSurface(surface.data()));
+    QVERIFY(!plasmaSurface.isNull());
+    plasmaSurface->setRole(PlasmaShellSurface::Role::Panel);
+    QFETCH(bool, wantsFocus);
+    plasmaSurface->setPanelTakesFocus(wantsFocus);
+
+    auto panel = Test::renderAndWaitForShown(surface.data(), QSize(100, 200), Qt::blue);
+
+    QVERIFY(panel);
+    QCOMPARE(panel->windowType(), NET::Dock);
+    QVERIFY(panel->isDock());
+    QFETCH(bool, active);
+    QCOMPARE(panel->dockWantsInput(), active);
+    QCOMPARE(panel->isActive(), active);
+}
+
 WAYLANDTEST_MAIN(PlasmaSurfaceTest)
 #include "plasma_surface_test.moc"
diff --git a/shell_client.h b/shell_client.h
--- a/shell_client.h
+++ b/shell_client.h
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@
     bool userCanSetFullScreen() const override;
     bool userCanSetNoBorder() const override;
     bool wantsInput() const override;
+    bool dockWantsInput() const override;
     using AbstractClient::resizeWithChecks;
     void resizeWithChecks(int w, int h, ForceGeometry_t force = NormalGeometrySet) override;
     using AbstractClient::setGeometry;
diff --git a/shell_client.cpp b/shell_client.cpp
--- a/shell_client.cpp
+++ b/shell_client.cpp
@@ -1373,4 +1373,14 @@
     }
 }
 
+bool ShellClient::dockWantsInput() const
+{
+    if (m_plasmaShellSurface) {
+        if (m_plasmaShellSurface->role() == PlasmaShellSurfaceInterface::Role::Panel) {
+            return m_plasmaShellSurface->panelTakesFocus();
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 }