Denmark Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Denmark 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 Denmark 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 Denmark 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 DENMARK below.

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 Denmark

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

Denmark Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Denmark 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:

• 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 Denmark 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 Denmark.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The third step to import a dog, cat or ferret to Denmark 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 Denmark must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Denmark from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed country, your pet must wait 21 days after primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Denmark 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

Although not required, pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as when traveling internationally:

• 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, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering Denmark 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.

his 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 Denmark until 3 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.

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 Denmark 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 keep them healthy when traveling internationally; however, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Denmark.

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Denmark is no exception. The EU Health Certificate must 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 is displaying 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.

Non-Commercial Transport to Denmark 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 third 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 Denmark 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 bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Denmark.

Note: Pets from part 1 listed countries must enter Denmark at an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Billund, Copenhagen or Aalborg Airports.

Non-Commercial Transport to Denmark 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 third country or
• Your pet has entered an unlisted third country within four months of travel.

Within ten days of entry, a licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Denmark. 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 Denmark 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 Denmark from an EU Member State

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

Your pet must travel from a licensed premise that 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, transiting or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Denmark 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 bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Denmark 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 TRACES before travel. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Denmark from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, and 5 apply.

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

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

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent in Denmark. 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 Denmark from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Denmark 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 carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Denmark 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 Denmark

Non-vaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets may enter Denmark with their owners if they are microchipped, accompanied with an EU Pet Passport and a Puppy/Kitten Declaration. The puppy must be at least 8 weeks old.

Puppies and kittens can only enter Denmark unaccompanied from other EU Member States or part 1 or 2 listed third countries.

More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by Denmark

The following breeds are not permitted to enter Denmark unless the owner has documentation that they were acquired prior to 2010:

• Pitt Bull Terrier
• Tosa Inu
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Fila Brasileiro
• Dogo Argentino
• American Bulldog
• Boerboel
• Kangal
• Central Asian Shepherd Dog (ovtcharka)
• Caucasian Shepherd Dog (ovtcharka)
• South Russian Shepherd Dog (ovtcharka,
• Tornjak
• Sarplaninac

These breeds will be permitted to transit through Denmark as long as they do not leave the secure area of the airport or the vehicle in which they are transported.

Entering Denmark with a Pet

Pets entering Denmark by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at international airports in Billund, Copenhagen or Aalborg Airports.

According to airline pet policies, pets can arrive 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.

Flights to Denmark should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, or part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted third 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 commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the TRACES database and the responsible transporter must be registered. Non-commercial transports by land must also 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 Denmark. 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

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Denmark for another EU Member State or Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country should:

• Be microchipped
• 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 Denmark. 
• Be accompanied by an export health certificate in accordance with destination country requirements
• All documents required by the destination country.

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

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

All animals leaving Denmark 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. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Denmark

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles entering Denmark from other EU Member States should travel with their owners under non-commercial regulations and be accompanied by a current health certificate.

Any of the above pets entering Denmark from part 1 and 2 listed third countries must:

• Be examined by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of transport.
• Show no signs of disease or external parasites.
• Be accompanied by their owner.
• Be less than 5 in number.
• Have a licensed veterinarian issue a health certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.
• Be transported in an IATA compliant carrier.
• Enter Denmark at an approved Border Inspection Post.
• Provide at least one working day notice of import.

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Only birds who are originating from these non-EU countries will be permitted entry. The following requirements will apply in addition to those listed above.

• The bird must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag).
• Bird Owners must enter Denmark at an approved border inspection point.
• Have an examination by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of transport and found free of any signs of disease or external parasites.
• Have a veterinarian issue a health certificate including the following information: description of the bird, owner of the bird, and address of origin and address of destination of the bird.
• The bird must not be exposed to any other birds after 48 hour clinical examination.

Other Requirements for Bird Imports from Non-EU Countries:

• Your bird must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
• Two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and 6 months of import OR
• 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
• 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) AND
• Birds that are covered by CITES must have appropriate permits.

Birds must be examined within 48 hours of transport and held in isolation until travel. A health certificate must be issued 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.

After entering Denmark, birds must be transferred directly to a private household or residency. The birds will be under surveillance during this time and must not be exposed to other birds for 30 days.

Birds that do not meet the above requirements will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days when entering Denmark.

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: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for Denmark?

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

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

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Denmark 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 Denmark?

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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 the rules of the destination country.