Switzerland Pet Import Requirements: How to bring a pet to Switzerland 2026

Identification microchip:
The animal must be microchipped with an ISO 11784 standard microchip.

Rabies vaccination:
A valid rabies vaccination is required. The vaccination must be administered to the animal at least 12 weeks of age and no later than 30 days before the date of entry into the country.

Veterinary certificate:
A veterinary certificate must be presented, confirming that the animal is healthy and free from diseases dangerous to humans and other animals.

Rabies Vaccination: A current rabies vaccination is required. The vaccination must be administered to the animal when it is at least 12 weeks old and no later than 30 days prior to the date of entry into the country.

To import a pet into Switzerland from a country with a high rabies risk, you must obtain permission from the Federal Veterinary Office (FSVO). The application for permission must be submitted at least three weeks before entry into the country. The application form can be downloaded from this webpage. Upon arrival in Switzerland, the animal must be examined by a veterinarian within 10 days.

Steps to obtain permission:

1. Make sure your pet meets the requirements:
Your pet must have an international veterinary passport, a microchip, a current rabies vaccination and, in the case of dogs, may need to be registered with the canton.

2. Download and complete the form:
Visit webpage and download the form to request permission to import the animal.

3. Submit the application:
The completed form must be sent to the FSVO at least three weeks before the planned date of entry.

4. Wait for confirmation:
Receive permission from the FSVO confirming that your pet can be brought into Switzerland.

The animal must be examined by a veterinarian within 10 days, and dogs must be registered in the municipality of residence and be subject to registration in the Amicus database.

Dog tax:
Dog owners are required to pay a dog tax, the amount of which varies depending on the canton.

To import rabbits and rodents into Switzerland, you must first obtain an import permit (Import Permit) from the Swiss Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV). The animals must also be chipped and have an international veterinary passport.

Restrictions on the number of animals:
The import of up to 5 animals per person usually does not require a license. For import of more animals, a license from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Service (FSVO) is required.

Restrictions on breeds:
Dogs with cropped ears and tails are not allowed into Switzerland, and Swiss does not allow brachycephalic breeds of dogs for transport.

The following dogs are not allowed to be kept as pets in Switzerland and may only be used as service animals.

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Argentine Dogo
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Bullmastiff
• Boerboel (Mastiff)
• Spanish Mastiff
• Cane Corso
• Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pitbull
• Presa Canario
• Rottweiler
• Thai Ridgeback
• Tosa Inu
• Fila Brasileiro

Unaccompanied import:
Unaccompanied animals can only be imported via Zurich and Geneva airports, within five days before or after the owner’s entry.

Pet Entry Requirements Calculator

Information for pet owners on rabies

List of countries with requirements for titer testing

Entry points for travelers with pets in European countries

A health certificate is NOT required. You need to get a stamp from a veterinarian about the clinical examination, indicating the date by which the animal can leave Switzerland and reach the final destination, and if necessary, you can treat it for parasites.

Certificate:
Obtain from a veterinarian, then certify it with a stamp from SCAV (Service de la Consommation et des Affaires Vétérinaires). If you plan to return back to Switzerland, you must additionally obtain permission to return from SCAV.

To obtain permission, you must send a letter to SCAV with copies of your veterinary passport and rabies titers in advance, 2 weeks before departure.

Rabies titers:
Needed for travel to a country with a rabies red zone and return back to Switzerland, as well as to Israel, Turkey without returning.

List of countries with requirements for titer testing