Pet Microchip

The first step to prepare your dog, cat or ferret to enter Switzerland is to have your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15 digit pet microchip.

If your pet currently has a microchip that is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, then you have 3 choices:

• You can bring your own microchip scanner.
• You can contact the officials at the Border Inspection Post in Switzerland where you will arrive and inquire as to whether they have scanners that can read your pet's chip.
• If your pet's current microchip can still be read, your veterinarian can implant compliant chip. The number and implant dates of both microchips must be documented on the EU Health Certificate (see step #5).

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification as long as it was given prior to July 3, 2011, is clearly visible and your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied.

Rabies Vaccination

All dogs, cats and ferrets must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after a microchip was implanted to enter Switzerland.

The first rabies vaccination after the microchip is implanted is called the primary vaccination and it should be a one year vaccine unless manufacturer specifications permit its use as a primary vaccination. If your pet's previous rabies vaccination had expired before being revaccinated, the next vaccination becomes the primary vaccination.

All vaccinations that are administered after the primary vaccination are called booster vaccinations.

If your pet is entering Switzerland from a rabies-free (click here) or rabies-controlled country (click here), the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Switzerland.

There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations as long as:

• the previous vaccination was administered after a microchip was implanted AND
• the booster vaccination was administered before the previous vaccination had expired.

Switzerland does honor the 3 year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets; however, it should only be administered as a booster, not as a primary vaccination. You can speak to your veterinarian about this.

Once your pet has entered Switzerland, a 21 day waiting period is not required for subsequent visits, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date, and the other entry requirements are met.

If your pet is entering Switzerland from a high-rabies country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test (see step #3).

Rabies Titer Test

If your pet is entering Switzerland from a country which Switzerland considers to be high-rabies (see below) or your pet has entered a high-rabies country within 6 months of import, your pet must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies (in that order). After waiting a minimum of30 days after the primary or booster vaccination, a rabies titer test must be administered  (Have your veterinarian scan your pet's microchip prior to the titer test.)

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Switzerland no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine. This step is not required unless entering Switzerland from a high-rabies country.

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

A tapeworm treatment is not required when entering Switzerland from any country.

Import Permit

If you are entering Switzerland from a high-rabies country (see step #8), an import permit is required and must be filed at least 3 weeks ahead of travel. Entry points are Basel, Geneva and Zurich.

Health Certificate

The type of health certificate required for your pet depends on whether or not your pet's transport is accompanied OR it involves a purchase, sale or transfer of ownership. Choose from two options below.

Non-Commercial Transport: the owner or a legal representative of the owner is traveling with or within 5 days of the pet AND the transport does not involve purchase, sale or transfer of ownership.

Non-Commercial Transport to Switzerland from a country outside of the EU:

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU health certificate. The certificate must be in German, French, Italian or English or be accompanied by a certified translation into one of these languages. Endorsement by a government veterinarian must occur within 10 days of arrival.

If your pet is traveling from the United States, the veterinarian must be accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the health certificate must be endorsed by a State USDA office unless the certificate is completed by a military Veterinary Corps Officer or GS-0701 series civilian government veterinarian employed by the military.

If your pet is traveling from Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency must endorse forms issued by Canadian veterinarians.

If your pet is traveling to Switzerland from another country, then the forms must be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals.

This form is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. It is valid for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as your pet's rabies vaccination does not expire.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Non-Commercial Transport to Switzerland from another EU Country:

Have your veterinarian update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. A non-commercial EU health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Switzerland from another EU Member State with an EU Pet Passport unless a rabies booster was received by a veterinarian outside of the EU at any time after your pet received its microchip.

Pets entering Switzerland from the following countries are required to present a pet passport from their country: Andorra, Belguim, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus (southern part only), Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Faeroe Islands, France, United Kingdom, French Guiana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Monaco, Martinique, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino and Vatican State.

Commercial Transport: the owner or a legal representative of the owner is not traveling with or within 5 days of the pet OR the purpose of the transport involves a sale or transfer of ownership OR more than 5 animals are traveling with or without their owner.

Commercial Transport to Switzerland from a rabies-free or rabies-controlled country outside the EU:

All dogs, cats and ferrets may enter Switzerland commercially from EU countries, rabies-free or rabies-controlled countries. Dogs, cats and ferrets from other countries may only enter Switzerland with or within 5 days of their owners or their owner's representative. In this case, non-commercial regulations will apply.

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU health certificate for Switzerland. The form must be in German, French, Italian or English or be accompanied by a certified translation into one of these languages. The certificate must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel.

If your pet is traveling from the United States, the certificate must be endorsed by the local USDA office unless the certificate is completed by a military Veterinary Corps Officer or GS-0701 series civilian government veterinarian employed by the military.

If your pet is traveling from Canada, the form must be endorsed by the local CFIA office.

If your pet is traveling to Switzerland from another country, then the forms must be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals.

This form is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets and is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

Commercial Transport to Sweden from another EU Member Country:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

If your pet is traveling to Switzerland unaccompanied from another EU country, your veterinarian must supply and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. Passports issued after December 29, 2014 must be in the new format. Your pet's transport must be accompanied by an Intratrade health certificate completed within 48 hours of entry. The transport must be entered into the TRACES system by the veterinary officer in the country of origin and the TRACES certificate must accompany the health certificate.

Entering Switzerland from Malaysia & Australia

If your pet is entering Switzerland from peninsular Malaysia, the following conditions must be met:

1. Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
2. Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
3. Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Switzerland from Australia under the condition that they are accompanied by an official certificate confirming that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Rabies-Controlled Countries

Countries that Switzerland considers to be rabies-free and rabies-controlled: EU countries including territories, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, American Samoa, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Aruba, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda, Belarus, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Curacao, Faeroe Islands, Fiji, Faeroe Islands, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Malta, Mayotte, Monaco, Monserrat, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, Monaco, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, French Polynesia, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saba, Saint Eustatius, San Marino, Singapore, Sint Maarten, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Helena, St Pierre and Miquilon, St Vincent and Grenadines, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

High-Rabies Countries

Switzerland considers all countries not listed above as high-rabies countries.

Traveling with more than 5 pets

If you are traveling with more than 5 pets that are 6 months or older, unless you are going to a show or competition, your pets must meet the requirements for commercial transport. (see step #6)

Entering Switzerland by Air

Accompanied pets entering by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at international airports in Basel, Geneva or Zurich. In the case of transit through a high-rabies country (see above), the owner must confirm with a declaration that the animal has had no contact with other animals whose species are prone to rabies and that the animal has not left secure means of transport or the premises of an international airport. Accompanied pets entering Switzerland from another EU country can enter at Geneva, Zurich or Basel (except birds).

Pets should enter Switzerland directly or transit through another EU Member State. If your pet transits through a high-rabies country, then a Transit Declaration will be required stating that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Switzerland. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Pets may arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo.

Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and kittens less than three months old entering Switzerland from rabies-controlled countries or EU Member States (see above) may only be brought into Switzerland if they are accompanied by and still dependent on their mother or if an additional veterinary certificate can be provided showing that they have been kept at the place where they were born since birth and have never come into contact with wild animals which could have been exposed to an infection with rabies.

All puppies and kittens must be microchipped per step #1 prior to import to Switzerland.

Puppies and kittens less than 3 months of age must be accompanied by their owner or owner's representative.

Puppies and kittens under 8 weeks of age are not permitted to enter Switzerland.

Banned Breeds

Regulations for banned breeds in Switzerland are set at the canton (province) level. Depending on the canton your dog is locating to, the breed restrictions will apply. There are also restrictions on Savannah and Bengal cats.

In Geneva, the following breeds or their crosses will not be permitted domicile in the Canton of Geneva unless they are entering Geneva from outside of Switzerland, have been neutered and have no history of aggression: American Staffordshire, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Braziliero, Mastiff, Matin Espagnol, Matin de Naples, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Thai Ridgeback and Tosa Inu. They must complete a training course within 3 months of entering Geneva and live in a one-dog household.

These breeds will be exempted from this canton's dog law for a period of 3 months.

Dog owners should be prepared to muzzle their dogs when in public places.

In Zurich, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are considered high-risk dogs.

Dogs with cropped ears or tails are also banned from entry to Switzerland. If you are intending to reside in the country, you will need to get advance permission from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office.

Exporting Pets Living in Switzerland

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Switzerland for an EU Member State must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies at lest 21 days prior to entry. If traveling to a rabies-controlled country (see below) you must produce all relevant information required for your pet's destination country as well as a health certificate which may or may not be endorsed depending on the destination country's requirements. If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to a high-rabies country (see above), your veterinarian should implant a microchip, vaccinate your pet for rabies, and administer a rabies titer test before you leave Switzerland if you intend to return.

An export permit will be required for dogs and cats being exported from Switzerland for commercial reasons. Owners should contact veterinary authorities in their canton for more information.

Other Animals

Rodents, (guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, etc.) and rabbits, aquarium fish, crayfish and shellfish (kept exclusively in aquaria or enclosed garden ponds for ornamental purposes) can enter Switzerland with their owners without documentation although a current health certificate is recommended.

Birds may be imported into Switzerland with their owner or owner's representative through Geneva and Zurich Airports only. They must have an import permit.

Animals entering Switzerland without their owners can only do so from rabies-free or rabies-controlled countries.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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