Switzerland Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Switzerland 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 Switzerland will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following:

• An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland 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)
• An Animal Health Certificate when entering Switzerland from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import 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 (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO SWITZERLAND below.

Flying a Pet to Switzerland

Flights to Switzerland 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 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 Switzerland

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Switzerland 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 all costs involved.

Switzerland Pet Import Requirements

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

Although Switzerland is not an EU Member State, it is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and has adopted most EU regulations for importing a dog, cat or ferret to the country.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Switzerland does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination 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 Switzerland will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past four months. Click on the links above to find your origination country’s classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Switzerland.

Step 2: Type of Transport

Switzerland 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 Switzerland with or within five days of 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 purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

All pet owners transporting their pets under non-commercial regulations must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that their pet’s transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of their pet.

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

Conditions for Commercial Transport

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

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

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 that this business or organization will be responsible for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

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

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country.

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 Switzerland 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 Switzerland from another EU Member State or territory, part 1 or part 2 listed third country, pets must wait for at least 21 days after primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Switzerland from an unlisted country or having visited such a country within six months of import, 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 regiment and must be administered at specific intervals so they are affective when entering Switzerland.

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

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A licensed veterinarian must administer a rabies titer (serology) test no sooner than 30 days (do not count the day of the veterinary visit) after the rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets entering Switzerland either:

• From an unlisted country or
• Having visited an unlisted country within six months of import.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Switzerland until 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid denial of entry.

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: 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 Switzerland.

Step 7: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires current health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Switzerland is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under: non-commercial or commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport to Switzerland 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 4 months of travel.

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 Switzerland with a current Pet Passport.

Non-Resident Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or part 1 listed third country for 4 months or you do not have a permanent address in origination country, then your pet will need a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Non-Commercial Transport to Switzerland 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 EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The EU pet health certificate for Switzerland is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Switzerland 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 Switzerland 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 issued and endorsed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Switzerland from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4 and 5 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter Switzerland 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 licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Important information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Switzerland from Malaysia and Australia

Your dog, cat or ferret must meet the following conditions when entering Switzerland 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 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 have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Switzerland

Puppies and kittens who are either:

• under 12 weeks of age and not vaccinated for rabies or
• over 12 weeks of age, vaccinated for rabies, but cannot meet the 21-day wait requirement

can enter Switzerland only from another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third countries.

Your puppy, kitten or ferret must be microchipped and accompanied by an EU Pet Passport or EU Health Certificate and must also be accompanied with/by:

• a declaration of the owner attached to its passport stating that, from birth until the time of import, your pet has not left its place of birth, and your pet has had no contact with wild animals that could carry rabies.
  or
• their mother whose passport indicates that she was currently vaccinated for rabies at the time she gave birth.
• proof that the puppy or kitten is over 8 weeks of age.

Puppies and kittens less than three months of age must be accompanied by their owner or owner’s representative. Puppies younger than 56 days must be accompanied by their mother.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Switzerland

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. Dogs of this breed 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.

Entering Switzerland with a Pet

Accompanied pets entering by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at international
airports in Basel, Geneva or Zurich. Accompanied pets entering Switzerland from another EU country can enter at Geneva, Zurich or Basel (except birds).

Dogs, cats, and ferrets can fly to Switzerland in the cabin, as checked baggage or 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 Switzerland 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. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and 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.

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, a licensed veterinarian may be required further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Exporting Resident Pets from Switzerland

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Switzerland 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 Switzerland.
• 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 third countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country.

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.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Switzerland. 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 Switzerland for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance to their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Switzerland

Other Animals

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles entering Switzerland from other EU Member States or Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Countries must conform to the following requirements:

• They must be healthy.
• They must be accompanied by their owner.
• The transport must not be no more than five in number (part 1 and 2 listed third countries).
• They must be imported under non-commercial regulations only.
• They must not originate from an area under quarantine or health restrictions specific to their breed.
• Owners must have a Certificate of Ownership of the pet.
• Pets subject to CITES protection can enter Switzerland for holidays or short stays without additional permits with their owner.
• They must be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Birds can enter Switzerland from EU Member States and Part 1 Listed Countries under non-commercial regulations (accompanied by their owner) without restrictions unless they are subject to CITES regulations.

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

• Birds must be accompanied by the owner with a Declaration of Ownership.
• The transport does not exceed 5 birds in number.
• Birds must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag) prior to isolation and any testing (see below).
• Birds must be accompanied with a health certificate from the origination country.
• Birds must enter Switzerland at Zurich or Geneva.

There are no quarantine facilities in Switzerland for birds and the H5 vaccine is not available, and, as such:

• Birds must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export 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).
• Birds must enter Switzerland at Zurich or Geneva.

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, details of any medical tests or treatments.

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

Pet birds must be transferred directly to a private household or residency after entering Switzerland. 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 Switzerland 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

Also included at no additional cost:

• Non-Commercial or Commercial EU Health Certificate for Switzerland
• Sample Completed Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
• Microchip Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Switzerland?

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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 Switzerland pet import requirements.