Sweden Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Sweden’s pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Sweden will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following:

• An Animal Health Certificate when entering Sweden from the United Kingdom (UK-resident pets)
• An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU pets)
• An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)
• A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)

Animals Eligible for These Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets, including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibians, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO SWEDEN below.

Flying a Pet to Sweden

Flights to Sweden should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and has remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Sweden

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Sweden if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible for all costs involved.

Sweden Pet Import Requirements

NEWS: The EU has modified its regulations as of April 2026 with important changes to non-commercial transport (step 2). The EU has granted a transition period until March 2027; however, some countries like Germany have already enforced these new regulations. All new regulations have been indicated as such on this page.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Sweden must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: EU Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccinations according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either:

• EU Member States and territories
• part 1 listed third countries
• part 2 listed third countries
• unlisted countries

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Sweden will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past four months.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing import regulations for Sweden.

Step 2: Type of Transport

The European Union classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial, as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport

• All pets must enter Sweden with their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets** unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The owner must attest that the purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership via a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations; however, the owner must still travel to the same destination no more than 5 days before their pet travels. (New regulation)

**If entering the EU by ground, a maximum of 5 pets per vehicle can travel under non-commercial regulations. (New regulation)

Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.

Conditions for Commercial Transport

• The owner or a designated representative is not traveling with the pet OR
• The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport/vehicle OR
• The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.

If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof of this business or organization. Import taxes will be imposed, which will vary by country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The third step to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Sweden is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse must implant the microchip. (New regulation) You should be issued a microchip certificate at the time of implantation on the veterinarian’s letterhead with specifics on your pet, microchip number, and implantation date.

Note: By 1 January 2028, all pet microchips must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant. As there is no guarantee that border inspection officials will have a universal scanner available, it is advised to consider updating your pet’s microchip if you are a frequent traveler. (New regulation)

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions:

• The tattoo was applied prior to July 3, 2011, and
• The tattoo is clearly visible, and
• Your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and
• All rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered).

It is anticipated that after 2026 every dog or cat kept for sale, adoption or cross-border movement within or into the EU will need to be registered in an approved database, with the microchip number acting as the primary identifier. EU Member States without current databases will be setting those up for this purpose. It is important to ensure that your pet’s identity and contact details are correctly recorded before departure.

Step 4: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Sweden must have proof of a current rabies vaccination. The vaccination must be administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Sweden from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed country, your pet must wait at least 21 days after primary rabies vaccination* to travel. Note that every manufacturer of rabies vaccines has specifications on when immunity is reached, and your veterinarian should inform you of the wait time for your pet’s specific vaccine.

*The primary vaccination is one of the following:

• The first vaccination your pet received after a microchip was implanted.
• Your pet was microchipped at the time of its previous rabies vaccination; however, the previous rabies vaccination had expired when the current vaccination was administered.

If entering Sweden from an unlisted country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Multi-year rabies vaccinations

Multi-year rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets are not recommended for primary vaccinations. Pet owners can speak to your veterinarian about this.

Other Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential for the health and well-being of both dogs and cats. They help protect against a variety of infectious diseases, some of which can be serious or even fatal. They are a part of any good health veterinary regimen and should be administered at specific intervals so they are effective when entering Sweden.

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported under commercial import regulations.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering Sweden from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered by a licensed veterinarian no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test is preferred. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.

The titer test must be administered more than 90 days prior to the date on the EU Health Certificate (step 8). (New regulation)

It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country.

The test is valid to enter any EU Member State for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Sweden with a dog, cat, or ferret. The import of other pets may require an import permit.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to keep them healthy when traveling internationally; however, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Sweden.

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Sweden is no exception. The EU Health Certificate must include pet owner information (New regulation) clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number. Your veterinarian must state that your pet is fit to travel and is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies. Additionally, your veterinarian should attest that your pet displays no symptoms of any contagious diseases.

The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial. Both certificates must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Your pet must enter the EU Member State within 10 days of endorsement (non-commercial) and depart the country of origin within 48 hours of endorsement (commercial). (New regulation)

Non-Commercial Transport to Sweden from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

EU-Resident Pets: Have a licensed veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport or government-issued pet passport (part 1 listed third countries) for your pet. A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your air carrier.

An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Sweden with a current Pet Passport.

Non-Resident Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or part 1 listed country for six months or you do not have a permanent address in an EU Member State, then your pet will need a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. (New regulation)

Non-Commercial Transport to Sweden from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 applies under the following conditions:

• Your pet is originating from an unlisted country or
• Your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

A licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial health certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. The certificate is valid for 10 days from endorsement to the day your pet arrives at the border inspection post. (New regulation)

The EU Health Certificate for Germany is good for the transport of five or fewer dogs, cats, or ferrets. The form is good for six months of travel within the EU if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time. (New regulation)

Note: Resident UK pet owners traveling from the UK to any EU Member State under non-commercial regulations (see step 2) should not use an EU Pet Passport and instead obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) according to the Animal and Plant Agency. The validity of the AHC has been extended to six months.

Commercial Transport to Sweden from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premise which is registered with the governing authority in your EU Member State
responsible for the import and export of animals.

Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

A licensed veterinarian must inspect your pet and issue an Intratrade Health Certificate within 48 hours of entry.

The transport must be recorded in the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) ahead of travel. This system tracks the import, export, and intra-trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Sweden from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health Certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES.

Commercial Transport to Sweden from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, and 5 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter Sweden from unlisted countries under commercial regulations from these countries.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

Related: Commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Sweden

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES.

More information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Sweden from Malaysia and Australia

Your dog, cat or ferret must meet the following conditions when entering Sweden from peninsular Malaysia:

• Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
• Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
• Your pet has been tested with a negative 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 Sweden from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies and Kittens from Sweden

Non-vaccinated puppies, kittens, and ferrets are not permitted to enter Sweden from any EU Member State or country, except Norway. In this case, the puppy or kitten must be microchipped and have a Pet Passport issued in Norway.

For all other countries, rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age and only after it is identified with a microchip. The youngest age a puppy or kitten can enter Sweden from an EU Member State or a part 1 or 2 listed third country is 3 months and 22 days. If entering Sweden from an unlisted country, the minimum age of import is 7 months.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Sweden

The following breeds are not permitted to enter Sweden: Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Saarloos Wolfdog.

Entering Sweden with a Pet

Unless your pet is entering Sweden from another EU Member State or Part 1 listed third country, it must enter at either Göteborg-Landvetter or Stockholm-Arlanda Airports. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets can enter Sweden by air in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

If traveling under non-commercial regulations, your pet’s passport, including all required documents, will be checked and entered into TRACES at customs clearance.

All commercial transports of dogs, cats, and ferrets, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in TRACES, and the responsible transporter must be registered.

Flights to Sweden should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, Part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

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

Dogs must be registered with the Swedish Board of Agriculture after establishing residency in Sweden.

Exporting Resident Pets from Sweden

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Sweden for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country should:

• Be microchipped then
• Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age and
• Wait for at least 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Sweden.
• Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or export health certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.
• Provide other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements). 

Exception: Exports to EU Member States that permit the entry of unvaccinated puppies and kittens.

Note that many part 1 listed countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Sweden. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

All animals leaving Sweden for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance with their destination country’s requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Sweden

Other Animals

Domesticated rabbits entering Sweden from other EU Member State, Norway or Switzerland under non-commercial regulations must conform to the following requirements:

• They must have been born and raised in captivity.
• They must be accompanied by their owner. A representative can be assigned; however, proof of the owner’s travel must accompany the travel of the animal.
• The transport must not be more than 5 in number.

In this case, no health certificate is required. The pet rabbit can enter Sweden at any border crossing.

If your rabbit is entering Sweden from a non-EU Member State under non-commercial regulations, the following requirements must be followed:

• They must have been born and raised in captivity.
• They must be accompanied by their owner. A representative can be assigned; however, proof of the owner’s travel must accompany the travel of the animal.
• The transport must not be more than five in number.
• They must have a health certificate, including markings or specific information specific to the pet.
• They must have proof of protection against infections of the bacteria Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis and the bacteria which belongs to Mycobacterium tuberculosis -complex (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium caprae och Mycobacterium bovis).
• Have proof of ownership of the pet (invoice, sales contract, etc.)
• They must be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.
• Different species must travel in separate crates.
• They must have an Owner’s Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport
• Enter Sweden at an approved border inspection post. (except Non-EU and Part 1 Listed Country transports)
• Provide notice of arrival at least one working day in advance.

**This certificate must indicate markings or descriptions specific to the pet rabbit. If suitable, a microchip can be the form of identification.

***If imported from another EU Member State under commercial regulations, the origination establishment must be registered with the agency responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Birds must be residents of these non-EU countries to be permitted entry to Sweden. Pet birds from all countries must conform to these requirements:

• The bird must be accompanied by the owner with proof of ownership (invoice, sales contract, etc.).
• The transport does not exceed 5 birds in number.
• The bird must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alphanumeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, or ear tag) prior to isolation and any testing (see below).

Additional Requirements for Pet Bird Imports from Non-EU or Part 2 Listed Third Countries:

• Birds must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
• Birds must have had two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and 6 months of import OR
• Birds are subject to 14 days of isolation in the origination country under the supervision of an authorized veterinarian and undergone a test to detect the H5 and H7 antigen or genome AND
• Birds have had a PCR test for H5 and H7 avian influenza virus with negative result on one sample taken no sooner than the 7th day and no later than 14 days before import (a serological test is not sufficient). OR
• Birds are subject to 30 days of quarantine at an approved facility*** immediately when arriving in the EU.

***There is no approved quarantine facility in Sweden. Birds must enter the EU in a different EU Member State under this option.

A licensed veterinarian must examine the bird within 48 hours of transport. There must be no signs of any diseases or external parasites. The veterinarian must issue a health certificate and include the following information: characteristics of the bird, species, sex, color, owner’s information, veterinarian’s information, and details of any medical tests or treatments.

There must be no exposure to other birds after the clinical examination and prior to import.

Birds from non-EU countries or Part 2 listed third countries must enter Sweden at an approved border inspection point.

Pet birds must be transferred directly to a private household or residency after entering Sweden. They will be under surveillance during this time and must not be exposed to other birds for 30 days.

CITES

Birds that are subject to CITES regulations must be accompanied by additional permits (next step).

Non-Compliance

Birds that do not meet the above requirements will be denied entry when entering Sweden, as quarantine facilities are not available in this country.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Contact the agency in your country that is responsible for environmental protection if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations.

Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ Database

Related: Learn more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Sweden?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Sweden? Post it below and we will respond promptly. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current Information

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 destination country.