Germany Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Germany 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 Germany 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 Germany 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.

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 Germany

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

NEWS: Germany has reported an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. Try to avoid transiting Germany, if possible. If Germany is your final destination, know that restrictions may be imposed to return to your country of origin.

Germany Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Germany 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 Germany 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 Germany.

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 Germany 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.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database.

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

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

In both cases, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

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 should be administered at specific intervals so they are affective when entering Germany.

All vaccinations can be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) with information including vaccine manufacturer, date of administration, date of validity and lot number (if applicable).

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 Germany 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.

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

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 Germany 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 Germany.

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Germany 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 Germany 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 EU Pets: Have your veterinarian issue and update a government-issued Pet Passport 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 Germany with a current Pet Passport.

Non-Resident EU Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or part 1 listed country for 4 months or you do not have a permanent address in origination country, then your pet will need an EU 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.

Related: Non-commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Germany.

Non-Commercial Transport to Germany 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 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.

Related: Non-commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Germany.

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

Commercial Transport to Germany 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 Germany 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 Germany 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 by an agent.

Commercial Transport to Germany from an Unlisted Country

Step 3, 4 and 5 apply.

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

Your pet must be inspected and a commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Germany 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 Germany.

Other Information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Germany from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Germany 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 ten 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.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Germany

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

Rabies vaccinations will not be recognized until 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 Part 1 or 2 listed third country. Puppies and kittens entering from unlisted countries cannot do so until they are at least seven months of age.

More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned for Import to Germany

Germany bans the import or transit of certain dog breeds and their crosses:

• Pitbull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier

There are a few exceptions to this ban. If your dog is staying in Germany for less than four 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.

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.

Banned Breeds in Federal Land of Baden-Württemberg

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.

Banned Breeds in Federal Land of Bavaria

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.

Banned Breeds in Federal Land of Berlin

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.

Banned Breeds in Federal Land of Hamburg

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.

Banned Breeds in Federal Land of Hesse

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

Entering Germany with a Pet

Accompanied pets entering by air from all non-EU countries except Part 1 Listed Third Countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at the following airports: Berlin, Munich, Shoenfeld, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Hannover, Koln, Hahn, Leipzig-Halle. Pets can arrive by air 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.

Flights to Germany 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 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 Germany. 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 Germany for another EU Member State or Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country must:

• 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 Germany.
• Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements) 

Note that many Part 1 Listed Countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to their country.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Germany. 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 Germany 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 Germany

Other Animals

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles entering Germany from any country must:

• Be accompanied by their owner.
• Be not more than five in number.
• Be imported under non-commercial regulations only.
• Have a current health certificate including identifying devices or features of the pet within five days of import.
• Be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.
• Have an Owner’s Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport
• Enter transport in the TRACES System.
• Enter Germany at an approved Border Inspection Post. (Non-EU transports)
• Provide notice of arrival at least one working day in advance.

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 Germany 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 Germany, 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 Germany.

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 Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Germany?

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

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

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Germany 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 Germany
• Sample Completed Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
• Microchip Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Germany?

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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 Germany pet import requirements.