Germany Pet Import Requirements: How to bring a pet to Germany in 2026

Cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets – passport, chip, vaccinations, 21-day quarantine.
Birds and rodents – passport, chip, quarantine from 21 to 30 days + tests.

1. Microchipping:
Make sure your pet has a microchip that complies with the ISO11784/11785 standard. The date of microchipping must be earlier than the date of rabies vaccination.

2. Rabies vaccination:
Vaccination must be carried out after microchipping, and 21 days must pass after vaccination before the animal can cross the border.

3. Rabies antibody titer test:
It is necessary to give blood for analysis in an accredited laboratory to determine the level of rabies antibodies.

Titers are needed if you are traveling from Russia and Belarus or other countries that are not on the list of exceptions. Before entering the EU, a 3-month period from the date of blood test is required.

4. Veterinary documents:
Veterinary passport with information on microchipping, vaccination and antiparasitic treatment.

Veterinary certificate, which is exchanged for an EU veterinary certificate.

In some cases, a certificate of origin of the animal may be required.

5. Declaration of non-commercial import:
You must provide a statement confirming that the import of the animal is not related to its sale or change of ownership.

Countries that exclude the risk of rabies
Vaccination must be carried out after microchipping, and 21 days must pass after vaccination before the animal can cross the border.

Cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets – 21-day quarantine.
Birds and rodents – quarantine from 21 to 30 days + tests.

15 weeks for transport from, to or via Germany

You need to register your pet after arriving in the European Union

While the Eurocertificate is valid (120 days from the date of issue), you can legally travel around the territory of the European Union with it.

If you will be staying in the country for more than 120 days, before the Eurocertificate expires, go to the nearest veterinary clinic, where they will issue you a Europassport and register the chip in the necessary databases.

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Mixed breeds of the above breeds

Exception: dogs of the above breeds can be imported with a tourist visa, provided that they are staying in the country for less than 4 weeks. This exception also applies to transit through Germany on the way to another country.

Customs regulations on dangerous dogs

For entry into the EU, treatment against echinococcus (an internal parasite) is only mandatory for dogs and only for Finland, Malta, Ireland and Norway.
In Germany, dogs need to be protected from ticks all year round.
Ticks can be active at temperatures starting from +2°C. In Germany, ticks are common
and can be active all year round, especially in warm and humid conditions.

When entering Germany with rabbits, you can bring up to three animals without any additional procedures. However, if you wish to enter with more than three rabbits, the provisions applicable to the commercial trade of these animals apply. Hamsters and guinea pigs can be with their owners when entering Germany without any special conditions.

Birds vaccinated against H5 and H7 can avoid quarantine completely if they have been vaccinated with the H5 and H7 vaccine at least twice and the last vaccination took place at least 60 days and no more than 6 months before entry.

Official information about traveling with poultry

For non-commercial purposes, up to five birds can be imported per accompanying person.
When entering with birds, you must have a veterinary health certificate for the birds.

List of countries with requirements for titer testing

Entry points for travelers with pets in European countries

In Germany, you must register your dog with the
Finanzamt within 1 month of arrival.
This can be done online.
You will then receive a tag with an individual number by mail within about 1 month.
You can also come to the Finanzamt in person at your place of residence
and receive the tag on the spot in 10 minutes.
The tax for the first dog is 120 euros per year.
For each subsequent dog – 180 euros per year.

From January 1, 2022, dogs must be registered
in a single register.
The registration fee is 17.50 euros for each dog.
No tags or numbers are required, only registration and
payment on the website.
Failure to register will result in a fine of up to 10,000 euros.
Registration in the Tasso database is optional but desirable.
This database will help in case of loss of a pet.
If someone finds it, brings it to the clinic and reads the chip number, they will be able to contact the owner through the database.

Health certificate:
Not required. You only need to get a stamp from a veterinarian about a check-up 14 days or less before departure. If necessary, do antiparasitic treatment.

Certificate for departure:
Obtain from the veterinary office. You must make an appointment in advance. You need to go to the veterinary office 10 days or less before departure. You must come in person with the animal, with the animal’s passport (it must contain a chip, vaccinations) and with the passport with which you will travel. They may ask to show rabies titers. If the animal has a European passport, they can also sign the Legalisation page. The cost of the certificate is 20-50 euros.

Address of veterinary offices

The certificate is valid for 10 days before leaving the country, then the certificate is valid until the end of the route, unless otherwise stated. That is, you need to receive the certificate 10 days or less before the start of the trip.

Rabies titers:
Needed for travel to a country with a rabies red rating and returning back to the EU, as well as to Israel, China, Turkey without returning.

Designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests

Rabies vaccination
Rabies titers: Needed for travel to a country with a rabies red rating and returning back to the EU, as well as to Israel, China, Turkey without returning.

The minimum age for export to other EU countries, including Germany, is 15 weeks (4 months). This is because the rabies vaccination must be carried out no earlier than 12 weeks, and then 21 days must pass after the vaccination.

Address of veterinary offices

There are accredited laboratories

List of countries with requirements for titer testing