Czechia Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to the Czechia 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 Czechia (formerly known as the Czech Republic) 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 Czechia 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, re transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other animals should refer to step 13.

Pets in Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic)

Dogs and cats are very popular in this country. Almost 41% of households have at least one dog making Czechia the third most populated by dogs behind Romania and Poland. Prague reportedly has more pet dogs than any other city in the world.

There are numerous dog parks and walking areas available. Chotkovy Sady in Prague is a public urban park founded in 1832, perfect for dog walks.

Czechia is known for being very pet friendly. Many restaurants, cafes, and public places allow pets as do hotels, B&Bs and campgrounds. Pets are allowed on public transportation, including buses, trams, and trains, often for a small fee or free.

There are many veterinary clinics, and pet care standards are generally high. Dogs, in particular, must be registered with local authorities. There are also regulations regarding microchipping and vaccination, especially against rabies.

Pet-Friendly Flights to Czechia

Commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Václav Havel Airport in Prague, Czechia include Aegean, Aer Lingus, AirBaltic, Air Cairo, Air France, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, British Airways. Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Eurowings, Finnair, flydubai, Iberia, Icelandair, KLM, Korean Airlines Lot Polish, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Qatar, Scandinavia Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Portuga, TAROM, Transavia, and Turkish Airlines.

Flights to Czechia 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 Czechia

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Czechia 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.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Czechia 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 vaccination according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either:

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Czechia will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past 4 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 Czechia.

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 Czechia 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 second step to import a dog, cat or ferret to Czechia 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.

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:

It 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).

Step 4: Vaccinations

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

If entering Czechia from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed country, pets must wait 21 days after rabies vaccination to travel unless a booster vaccination was administered. If entering Czechia 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.

Other Vaccinations:

Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

canine distemper (also for ferrets)
canine hepatitis
canine leptospirosis
canine parvovirus
feline viral rhinotracheitis
feline panleukopenia
feline leukemia

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test must be administered to pets entering Czechia from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology 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) is preferred.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Czechia three calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid quarantine.

It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country. It is always wise to have this test done prior to travel if possible. 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 Czechia with a dog, cat, or ferret. Unaccompanied pets may need an import permit.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

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

Step 8: Pet Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires original health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Czechia 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 Czechia from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

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

Resident Pets: Have your veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport or a 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. Have your veterinarian record the health check in your pet’s Pet Passport.

An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Czechia 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 health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 10 days of departure.

Related: Non-Commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Czechia

Non-Commercial Transport to Czechia 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.

Within 10 days of entry, a licensed veterinarian must issue a 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 EU pet health certificate for Czechia is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Czechia 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.

Your pet must be inspected, and an Intratrade Pet Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

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

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

Steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 4 does not apply.

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

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

Commercial Transport to Czechia from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, and 5 apply.

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

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

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

Other Information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Czechia from Malaysia and Australia

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

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 within 10 days of export. The test must be carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses.

Cats may only enter Czechia from Australia if they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Czechia

Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets are permitted to enter Czechia from another EU Member State or a part 1 or part 2 listed third country under the following conditions:

They are microchipped,
They are accompanied by an EU health certificate or an EU Pet Passport and
They are accompanied by a declaration from the owner or representative that they were not exposed to any wild animals that could carry rabies.

The same regulations would apply to puppies, kittens and ferrets between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks of age that have been vaccinated for rabies but have not reached immunity (waited 21 days).

Preapproval must be applied to the Regional Veterinary Administration for home quarantine for the puppy or kitten.

Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets cannot enter Czechia from an unlisted country until they are microchipped, vaccinated for rabies and conform to other regulations as stated here.

Although your pet can be microchipped at 8 weeks of age, rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age. The minimum age for entering Czechia from an unlisted country is seven months of age.

More tips for transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by Czechia

Czechia does not publish a list of banned breeds. Owners should be prepared to contain any aggressive behavior as it will not be tolerated.

Entering Czechia with a Pet

All pets entering Czechia by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Post at one of the following international airports:

Prague-Ruzyne (Václav Havel Airport),
Brno-Turany,
Ostrava-Mošnov,
Carlsbad, or
Pardubice.

When flying privately with their owners, they can also arrive at Kunovice.

Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

All live animals should enter Czechia directly or transit through an EU Member State, or part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. This statement must attest 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 commercial transports, whether by air or land must be preregistered in the TRACES database, and the responsible transporter must be registered.

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

Exporting Resident Pets from Czechia

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Czechia for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must conform to the following requirements:

They must be microchipped,
They must be vaccinated for rabies at the same time or after microchipping.
They must wait for at least 21 days after primary vaccination to travel.
Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements).

If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted country and returning, a veterinarian in Czechia should administer a rabies titer test before leaving. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted country, traveling internationally with the results of this test may ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

Non-accompanied transports may require export permits.

All animals leaving Czechia 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. The agency responsible for the issuance of export permits will issue the necessary documentation.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Czechia

Rodents, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles entering Czechia from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must:

Be accompanied by their owner.
Be not more than five in number.
Have an examination by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of transport.
Show no signs of disease or external parasites.
Have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.
Enter transport in the TRACES System.

Import of Birds to Czechia

Pet birds entering Czechia from other EU Member States must be accompanied by their owners or owner’s representatives. The transport must be less than five in number. The origination must not be under any restrictions for diseases related to birds. Pet birds should travel with with a current health certificate.

Birds entering Czechia from a part 1 or 2 listed third country must be accompanied by their owner or owner’s representative (with declaration). The transport must be less than five in number. The bird must travel with a veterinary health certificate and conform to the following conditions:

Your bird will serve 30 days of pre-import isolation in the origination country
Your bird will serve 30 days of post-import quarantine at an approved facility in Czechia.
Your bird must be vaccinated twice against avian influenza H5 and H7 with an inactive vaccine within 6 months prior to import. The second vaccination should be administered more than 2 months of import.
Your bird must be tested for the H5 and H7 antigen or genome not earlier than the third day of isolation and again more
than 10 days before import as per OIE standards.

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. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Pet Import Requirements for Czechia?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Czechia at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

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Here’s what is included in the Czechia pet passport package:

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Czechia from any country available in six languages
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
ISO-Compliant Microchip Information
Titer Test Instructions and Overview (required when entering from an unlisted country)
Approved EU laboratories for the titer test
Parasite Treatments
Border Inspection Posts
IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

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

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Czechia?

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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 put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. All options are at importer expense. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Czechia pet import requirements.