Pet Microchip

The first step to prepare your dog, cat or ferret to enter Germany 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 where you will enter the EU 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 Germany.

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 Germany 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 Germany.

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.

Germany 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 Germany, 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 Germany 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 Germany from a high-rabies country (click here), your pet must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies (in that order). After waiting a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccination, a rabies titer test (FAVN) 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 are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Germany no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine. This step is not required unless entering Germany from a high-rabies country (click here).

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

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

Pet 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 Germany from a country outside of the EU:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply. If entering Germany from a high-rabies country, step 3 applies as well.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU health certificate for Germany. 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 traveling to Germany 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. (see item 6 if you are traveling with more than 5 pets.) The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it 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 Germany from another EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

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

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 dogs, cats or ferrets are traveling with or without their owner.

Traveling to Germany from a rabies-free or rabies-controlled country outside the EU:

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

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU health certificate for Germany. 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 Germany 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. (see item 5 if you are traveling with more than 5 pets). It is valid for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as your pet's rabies vaccination does not expire.

Your pet must enter through an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Köln Bonn, Berlin Tegel, Frankfurt Main, Hahn, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt-Hahn, Hannover-Langenhagen, Leipzig-Halle, Berlin Schönefeld and Stuttgart Airports. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival. 

Commercial Transport to Germany from another EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

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

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

Your pet's veterinarian must issue an Intratrade health certificate completed within 48 hours of entry.

Your pet's transport must be entered into the TRACES system.

Traveling with more than 5 pets

If you are traveling with 6 or more cats, dogs or ferrets, in order to transport them under non-commercial regulations, they must be 6 months or older and attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. If this is not the case, your pets must meet the requirements for commercial transport. (see step #5)

Entering Germany from Malaysia & Australia

If your pet is entering Germany 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 Germany 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.

Entering Germany by Air

Accompanied pets entering by air from all non-EU countries except Andorra, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the Vatican City State must do so at Border Inspection Posts at the following airports: Berlin, Munich, Shoenfeld, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Hannover, Koln, Hahn, Leipzig-Halle.

Pets should enter Germany 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 Germany. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and kittens may only be imported into Germany or pass through Germany in transit with adequate vaccine protection against rabies.

The earliest age that rabies vaccination can be administered is 12 weeks of age. Entry will not be permitted until at least 21 days have passed after rabies vaccination if entering from another EU country or rabies-controlled country. Puppies and kittens entering from high-rabies countries cannot do so until they are at least 7 months of age.

Banned Breeds

Germany bans the import or transit of certain dog breeds and their crosses: Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier.

There are a few exceptions to this ban. If your dog is staying in Germany for less than 4 weeks, it is exempted from these regulations. Additionally, exemptions apply for dogs of these breeds that have previously lived in Germany and are being returned to Germany. Security or watch dogs, dogs providing service for the disabled and dogs of the rescue and civil protection services are also exempted. Documentation must be provided to substantiate the exemption.

Additional breeds can be restricted according to the regulations of the Federal land in which they will be establishing residence. Specific backup regarding your dog's breed should be available. (pedigree, results of character evaluations, service certificate, etc.)

If your dog will be residing in any of the following Federal Lands, then locally competent authorities of the Land in which the dog is intended to be kept permanently will need to issue permission for its import in advance.

If your dog will be residing in the Federal land of Baden-Württemberg, then these breeds are considered as dangerous: Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Bordeaux Dogge, Fila Brasilero, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Mastiff and Tosa Inu.

If your dog will be residing in the Federal land of Bavaria, then these breeds are considered as dangerous: Bandog, Tosa Inu, Alano, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler, Perro de Presa Canario (Dogo Canario) and Perro de Presa Mallorquin.

If your dog will be residing in the Federal land of Berlin, then these breeds are considered as dangerous: Tosa Inu, Alano, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dobermann, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler, Perro de Presa Canario (Dogo Canario) and Perro de Presa Mallorquin.

If your dog will be residing in the Federal land of Hamburg, then these breeds are considered as dangerous: Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Kangal Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler and Tosa Inu.

If your dog will be residing in the Federal land of Hesse, then these breeds are considered as dangerous: American Bulldog, Dogo Argentiono, Kangal Dog (Karabash), Caucasian Shepherd Dog and Rottweiler.

Exporting Pets Living in Germany

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Germany for another EU Member State must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait 21 days before leaving the country.  If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to a country with a high incidence of rabies, your veterinarian should do a Blood Titer Test before you leave Germany if you intend to return. Export permits may be required for non-accompanied transports.

Other Animals

There are no rabies requirements for other species of rodents, rabbits, ornamental fish, intervebrates, amphibians and reptiles imported to Germany from other EU states as well as Andorra, Switzerland, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and San Marino.

Up to 3 guinea pigs or hamsters can be imported into Germany with their owner. A health certificate is recommended.

Birds being imported from rabies-controlled countries under non-commercial regulations must accompany their owners. There must not be more than 5 birds in a transport.

Birds that have not been vaccinated against Avian Influenza may either:

Be subjected to quarantine for at least 10 days in the country of origin. Samples must be taken from the birds no earlier than on the third day of isolation. These samples must be tested for the detection of H5N1 antigen or genome with negative results.

OR

In the case of specific countries of origin, 30 days of isolatation in the originating country before traveling or at an approved facility in Germany instead of placing them in quarantine for 10 days and taking blood samples.

Birds that have been vaccinated with an H5 vaccine on at least 2 occasions, with the last vaccination being administered at least 60 days and no more than 6 months prior to importation, will avoid all quarantine.

Your bird must be accompanied by an Annex II heatlh certificate issued by a licensed vet and endorsed by the agency responsible for the import and export of animals within 10 days of travel.

Birds entering Germany from another EU country must be accompanied by a health certificate.

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 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 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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