BMELV checklist: Travelling with pets

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The number of cats, dogs or ferrets that can be moved is limited to five per person. If you travel with more animals or if the animals are to have a new owner, other rules apply.

Rules on travelling to the European Union with pets

The requirements regarding the animal health status are based on the rabies situation of the third country of origin and of the member state of destination within the EU. If you plan to enter EU member states from so-called listed third countries, the following requirements apply:

• Every animal needs to be identified by a clearly distinguishable tattoo or by a microchip (mandatory since 3 July 2011 for newly tagged animals) and
• valid vaccine protection against rabies must be documented in a supporting document.

Entry from countries with an unclear rabies situation

If the country of origin is not listed and hence the rabies situation and its surveillance in this country is unclear or a matter of concern, the animals must have been blood tested for antibodies against rabies before entry. This test must have been performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before entry. The blood sample must be taken by a veterinarian authorised in the respective third country. The blood test must be performed in a laboratory which is accredited by the European Commission.

Veterinary certificate

The entry conditions mentioned above must be documented by a veterinary certificate. The veterinary certificate must be issued by an official or officially authorised veterinarian. In addition, the traveller must be accompanied by supporting documents such as a vaccination certificate or a document certifying the blood test. Please note that every pet (dogs, cats, ferrets) has their documents and identity checked when entering/re-entering the EU from a non-EU country. The accompanying person must register the animal with the customs authority for this purpose.

Rules applying to the movement of dogs, cats or ferrets within the EU

All dogs, cats and ferrets moved across borders within the EU must be accompanied by a standard passport. It must be possible to clearly recognise that the respective animal from the passport, which means that it must be possible to identify the animal by tattoo or microchip, and the identification number must have been recorded on the passport. Since 3 July 2011 microchipping has been mandatory for newly tagged animals.

Vaccination protection against rabies

In addition to information on the animal and its owner, the passport needs to include a veterinary document providing evidence that the animal has a valid rabies vaccination. In the event of a first vaccination of puppies aged at least three months, this means that this vaccination needs to have been performed at least 21 days before crossing the border and must not be older than the revaccination interval given by the vaccine manufacturer. The duration of the protection in cases of revaccination is based on the information provided by the vaccine manufacturer.

Entry with pets younger than three months of age

The EU legislation provides the following for animals which are less than three months of age and which are not vaccinated. These animals may enter Germany from EU member states if

• they are accompanied by a dam or
• they are accompanied, apart from the pet passport, by a written and signed declaration by the holder of the right of disposal which states that the animal has previously only been kept at the place of its birth and that it did not come into contact with wild animals.

On a case by case basis, the entry from a listed third country may be authorised by the supreme veterinary authority of the competent federal state.