Activities with dogs, General dog topics

Entry regulations for dogs in the EU and Europe

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Entry regulations for dogs in the EU and Europe

When travelling with dogs within Europe, the EU travel regulations according to EU Regulation 576/2013 apply. These regulations apply to dogs, cats and ferrets and primarily serve to protect against the spread of rabies.

Every animal travelling within the EU or entering the EU from a third country must have valid rabies protection.

The rabies vaccination is documented by a veterinarian in the international pet passport. You can get this passport from your veterinarian and should always carry it with you when traveling.

Dogs must be at least three months old for the first rabies vaccination. The vaccination is valid from 21 days after administration. The protection from the vaccination lasts for 3 to 4 years, depending on the vaccine manufacturer.

Tapeworm treatment for entry into certain European countries

In some countries, tapeworm treatment is required. This must be carried out by a veterinarian no earlier than five days and no later than 24 hours before entry and must be entered in the EU pet passport.

Every animal must be identified by a microchip, the number of which is entered in the passport to enable clear identification. The microchip has been mandatory for newly identified animals since July 3, 2011.

Travelling with puppies under 12 or 16 weeks

Puppies also need a pet passport and a microchip.

Since rabies vaccinations are only permitted from the age of 12 weeks and are required for travel abroad, there are special regulations here.

In some EU countries, puppies under 12 or 16 weeks old that have been vaccinated but have not yet completed the 21-day waiting period are allowed to enter the country under certain conditions. An official confirmation from a veterinarian and the accompaniment of the mother dog are required.

Traveling with certain dog breeds

Some countries have additional regulations for certain dog breeds, keeping methods and safety requirements.

A maximum of five dogs aged at least eight weeks are allowed to enter the country per person. Dogs under eight weeks are subject to special regulations.

There is an exception for dogs that take part in competitions or sporting events. These dogs must be at least six months old and carry written confirmation of registration.

Country-specific entry requirements for dogs in the EU and Europe

Entry requirements for dogs in Albania

Entry requirements for dogs in Andorra

Entry requirements for dogs in Belgium

Entry requirements for dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Entry requirements for dogs in Bulgaria

Entry requirements for dogs in Denmark

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • The keeping, breeding and import of the following dog breeds is prohibited in Denmark:
    Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Ovtcharka, Caucasian Ovtcharka, South Russian Ovtcharka, Tornjak, Sarplaninac. The owner of the dog is responsible for being able to document the breed or type. Also the date of purchase. People who purchased dogs of the breeds in question before 17 March 2010 must keep the dog on a leash no longer than 2 metres on streets, paths, footpaths and squares. The dog must wear a securely fastened muzzle.
  • More information: https://en.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/animals/travelling-with-pet-animals/how-to-travel-with-your-dog

Entry requirements for dogs in Germany

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Prohibition of entry or transit of puppies under 15 weeks
  • Registration with customs when entering from a non-EU country to check documents and identity. An exception is Switzerland, which is considered equivalent to the EU countries
  • Since 2001, the Dog Transport and Import Restriction Act ( HundVerbrEinfG ) has regulated the import and transport of certain dog breeds in Germany. Accordingly, it is prohibited to import or transport dogs of the following breeds to Germany:
    • Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier and their crosses with each other or with other dogs
  • Some federal states have additional regulations for other listed dog breeds and their crosses, which may also not be imported or transported from abroad.
  • Exceptions to the import ban
    In order to avoid excessive burdens for travellers, the following dogs are exempt from the import and transport ban:

    • “Dangerous” dogs carried by persons who are staying in the Federal Republic of Germany for no longer than four weeks (tourist traffic)
    • “Dangerous” dogs from the current population in Germany that are re-imported or transported from abroad, as well as assistance dogs for the disabled and guide dogs for the blind.
    • It is absolutely necessary to have the papers necessary to check the animals (e.g. proof of ancestry, vaccination certificate, temperament test certificate, other certificates from the responsible public order office).
  • Further information: https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/tiere/haus-und-zootiere/heimtiere-einreiseregelung.html

Entry requirements for dogs in Estonia

Entry requirements for dogs in Finland

Entry requirements for dogs in France

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)

Under French law, certain breeds of dogs are considered “fighting dogs” and are not allowed to enter or transit the country.
These dogs are divided into two categories:

  • Category 1 : Dogs without official pedigree papers whose appearance corresponds to the breeds: Tosa, American Staffordshire Terrier or Mastiff. These dogs are banned in France. Dogs that resemble these breeds also fall into this category.
  • Category 2 : purebred Staffordshire Terriers, Mastiffs, Tosas and Rottweilers. These dogs are subject to strict regulations. For
    Category 2 dogs (except Rottweilers), you must carry a certificate confirming that the animal is registered in the International Kennel Club’s stud book.
    In France, these dogs must always be kept on a leash by an adult and are not allowed on public transport or in any establishment. You should be careful when importing dogs that are similar to these categories. If in doubt, it is essential to have a certificate from a veterinarian certifying clearly and understandably to the French authorities that the dog does not belong to one of these categories.
    Failure to provide this certificate, or providing a false certificate, will result in criminal sanctions that may even lead to the confiscation of the dog.
  • More information: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/travel-coming-france-your-pet
  • Further information: https://de.ambafrance.org/Haustiere-Einreisebestimmungen-20081

Entry requirements for dogs in Greece

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)

Entry requirements for dogs in Great Britain

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Tapeworm treatment:
    Treatment against tapeworms must be documented by the veterinarian in the EU pet passport, including the exact time of treatment. It is crucial that the treatment is completed no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (five days) before entry.
  • Entry via an “approved route”
  • There are strict regulations for stays in Great Britain that prohibit entry with certain dog breeds. Owners of the following breeds are therefore not allowed to take their dog to Great Britain:
    Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro
    It is important to note that the ban does not only apply to the breeds mentioned, but also to dogs that look similar to them.
    Violations of this ban can result in heavy fines.
  • More information: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain

Entry requirements for dogs in Ireland

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Tapeworm treatment:
    Treatment against tapeworms must be documented by the veterinarian in the EU pet passport, including the exact time of treatment. It is crucial that the treatment is completed no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (five days) before entry. Treatment against tapeworms (echinococci) is not necessary if the dog is entering from Finland, Norway, the UK or Malta.
  • Further information: http://www.pettravel.gov.ie/pets/dogscatsferrets/europe/?country=European%20Union

Entry requirements for dogs in Iceland

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 120 days old)
  • Valid vaccinations against: Leptospirosis, distemper, HCC and parvovirus (at least 30 days old)
  • Blood test for brucellosis and stool test for salmonella (within 30 days before entry)
  • Deworming with praziquantel, ectoparasite treatment with fipronil or permethrin and – if necessary – treatment against ear mites (within 10 days before entry)
  • Entry permit from the Head of the Veterinary Office
  • The dog must not have undergone surgery, nor be pregnant or lactating shortly before entry
  • Quarantine of 4 weeks after entry
  • Puppies are only allowed to enter Iceland from the age of 7 months
  • The following dog breeds are classified as dangerous and are not allowed to enter Iceland:
    Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, crossbreeds of dog and wolf
  • More information: http://www.mast.is/english/frontpage/import-export/import/liveanimals/

Entry requirements for dogs in Italy

Entry requirements for dogs in Croatia

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Puppies under 15 weeks are not allowed to enter
  • Prohibition of entry or transit of certain dog breeds that are not registered with any official breeding association and therefore do not have a pedigree:
    Pitbull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • More information: https://gov.hr/en/travelling-with-pets/1514

Entry requirements for dogs in Latvia

Entry requirements for dogs in Liechtenstein

Entry requirements for dogs in Lithuania

Entry requirements for dogs in Luxembourg

Entry requirements for dogs in Malta

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Tapeworm treatment:
    Treatment against tapeworms must be documented by the veterinarian in the EU pet passport, including the exact time of treatment. It is crucial that treatment is completed no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (five days) before entry. Treatment against tapeworms (echinococci) is not necessary if the dog is entering from Great Britain, Finland or Ireland.
  • For more information: https://agricultureservices.gov.mt/en/vrd/Pages/travelPet.aspx

Entry requirements for dogs in Macedonia

Entry requirements for dogs in Moldova

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Official veterinary health certificate (not older than 10 days)
  • To return to a European country you need a rabies antibody test
  • Additional Information:

Entry requirements for dogs in Monaco

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Since Monaco is surrounded by France, the import regulations for certain dog breeds into France must also be taken into account
  • Additional Information:

Entry requirements for dogs in Montenegro

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Official veterinary health certificate (not older than 10 days)
  • To return to a European country you need a rabies antibody test
  • Additional Information:

Entry requirements for dogs in the Netherlands

Entry requirements for dogs in Norway

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before entry (must be entered in the pet passport including the time)
    Alternatively, when entering Norway with a dog, it is possible to apply the 28-day rule. After this, the dog must be dewormed at least twice with an interval of no more than 28 days and then regularly given a tablet against tapeworms every 28 days. After the second deworming, you then have 28 days to enter Norway.
    If you are staying in Norway for several weeks or months, a third worming treatment must take place after another 28 days in Norway.
  • Registration with customs upon entry (red lane)
  • Throughout Norway, dogs must be kept on a leash from April 1 to August 31.
    In addition, local regulations may require that dogs be kept on a leash the rest of the year, for example in national parks and protected areas.
  • Prohibition of certain dog breeds:
    Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, dog-wolf hybrids
  • More information: https://www.mattilsynet.no/en/animals/travelling-with-dogs-cats-and-ferrets-from-eu-countries-to-norway

Entry requirements for dogs in Austria

Entry requirements for dogs in Poland

Entry requirements for dogs in Portugal

Entry requirements for dogs in Romania

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Additional Information:

Entry requirements for dogs in San Marino

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Additional Information:

Entry requirements for dogs in Sweden

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Registration of the dog with customs upon entry (also possible online)
  • There are various ways to reach Sweden by car.
    One option is to travel by land, which means you have to drive through Denmark. It is about a three-hour drive from the border crossing at Flensburg to the Öresund Bridge in Malmö.
    Many dog ​​owners do not want to drive through Denmark with their dog because Denmark has very strict laws regarding so-called listed dogs. However, it is rather unlikely that holidaymakers will have any problems when passing through Sweden. Nevertheless,
    always pay attention to the current regulations for Denmark!
  • More information: https://www.tullverket.se/en/startpage/private/travelling/travelling/travellingwithanimals/travellingwithdogsorcats.4.311bf4f016e69d6ea0d93c.html

Entry requirements for dogs in Switzerland

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Written declaration from the dog owner that the reason for entry is not an intended sale or change of ownership
  • The leash or muzzle requirement varies from canton to canton. Before you travel, find out more from your holiday municipality.
  • Switzerland does not impose any general restrictions or entry requirements for certain dog breeds.
    However, depending on the canton, special conditions apply for so-called listed dogs
  • Prohibition of docked dogs
    For holidays or other short stays in Switzerland, dog owners from abroad are permitted to bring their docked dogs with them.
    To do so, they must register with customs upon entry and pay a deposit. The deposit is refunded upon departure.
  • The dog may only enter the country directly. When passing through non-listed third countries, a declaration is required that the dog has not had contact with animals at risk of rabies and has not left the means of transport.
  • Puppies up to 56 days of age must always be accompanied by their mother
  • If puppies up to 16 weeks of age enter the country accompanied by their mother dog, proof of the mother dog’s rabies vaccination prior to the time of the puppies’ birth is sufficient.
  • If the 21-day waiting period for rabies vaccination of puppies aged 12 to 16 months has not yet been reached, the owner can submit a so-called owner’s declaration guaranteeing that the puppy has not had contact with wild animals susceptible to rabies since birth.
  • Further information: https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/de/home/tiere/reisen-mit-heimtieren/hunde-katzen-und-frettchen.html

Entry requirements for dogs in Serbia

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Official veterinary health certificate (not older than 10 days)
  • To return to a European country you need a rabies antibody test (3 months waiting period after full protection)
  • Puppies and young animals may therefore enter the country at the earliest at the age of seven months when returning to the EU.
  • More information: https://www.vet.minpolj.gov.rs/movement-of-pets/

Entry requirements for dogs in Slovakia

Entry requirements for dogs in Slovenia

Entry requirements for dogs in Spain

  • EU pet passport and microchip identification
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
  • Puppies are only allowed to enter Spain from the age of 15 weeks and with a valid rabies vaccination.
  • Transport in the car only in transport boxes or with a stable partition
  • There is a list of dog breeds that are classified as dangerous and are subject to certain restrictions. These include:
    American Staffordshire Terrier, Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu.
    However, these are handled differently from municipality to municipality. We therefore recommend that you check with the Spanish embassy and the relevant tourist information office before entering the country to find out what entry regulations apply to dogs.
  • More information: https://www.mapa.gob.es/en/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/desplazamiento-animales-compania/dogs-cats-ferrets.aspx

Entry requirements for dogs in the Czech Republic

Entry requirements for dogs in Hungary

Entry requirements for dogs in Cyprus

 

The entry regulations, especially for certain dog breeds, can change at short notice. We recommend that owners of breeds classified as listed dogs check the current entry information from the embassy of the holiday country before planning their trip. The information on this page has been carefully researched. However, we cannot guarantee that it is complete, correct or up-to-date and are not liable for any damage that may arise.