Monaco Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

A pet passport is a collection of documents that address Monaco pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Monaco from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Monaco will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and an EU Health Certificate* issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

*Pets entering Monaco from the United Kingdom have a different health certificate.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

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 animals covered by these regulations should refer to step 13.

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 handles the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for pets entering Monaco

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Monaco 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 Monaco pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Note: Although not a member of the European Union, Monaco has adopted EU legislation with regard to the import of pets under the Pet Travel Scheme.

Step 1: Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) and Monaco 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 Monaco will depend on the classification of their 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 country’s classification.

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

Step 2: Type of Transport

Monaco 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 Monaco 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

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, 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 first step to import your pet to Monaco is to have it identified by a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Afghanistan. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a 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’s 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 Monaco must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Monaco from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed third country, pets must wait 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Monaco 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
feline calicivirus

These other vaccinations are always recommended when traveling internationally; however, proof of these vaccinations is not required when entering Monaco.

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, measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the first one (FAVN) is accepted by all countries that require it:

Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN)
Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT)

The test is administered by a licensed veterinarian, and the blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for processing.

A rabies titer test must be administered to pets entering Monaco from unlisted countries 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 are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Monaco three calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid quarantine.

Rabies titer test results will not be accepted as a substitute for proof of current rabies vaccination.

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 rabies vaccinations never expire.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to keep them healthy. This is very important when traveling internationally. However, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Austria.

Step 7: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Monaco is no exception. The EU health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species.

The type of health certificate required will depend on the purpose of the transport: non-commercial or commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport to Monaco 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 four 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.

Note: There will be additional requirements to return to a part 1 listed third country in addition to the Pet Passport. Find them here.

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

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

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

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of five 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 Monaco 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 intra-trade Pet Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

The transport must be recorded in the TRACES system by an agent ahead of travel. This system tracks the import, export, and intra-trade of all live animals entering or leaving the European Union.

Commercial Transport to Monaco 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 by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

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

Commercial Transport to Monaco from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3 4, and 5 apply.

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

Your pet must be inspected by a licensed veterinarian who will issue a Commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be 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, transiting or leaving the European Union.

Step 7: Import Permit

Pet owners do not need an import permit when importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Monaco.

Other Information

Importing Pets to Monaco from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Monaco 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 Monaco 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 Monaco

Although your pet can be microchipped at 8 weeks of age, rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age. There is a 21-day wait for puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age arriving from EU Member States or part 1 or 2 listed third countries. The minimum age for entering France (and thus Monaco) from an unlisted country is seven months of age.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned for Import to Monaco

The following breeds are not permitted import to Monaco (Category 1): Staffordshire terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier (Pitbull terriers) without pedigree registration, Mastiff (Boerbull) without pedigree registration, Tosa without pedigree papers.

The following breeds can be imported to Monaco with restrictions (Category 2): Rottweiler (pedigreed), Staffordshire terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier (pedigree), Tosa Inu (pedigree). These dogs must be registered with a pedigree which is recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Also included, non-pedigree and cross breeds dogs with “the appearance of a Rottweiller”.

Owners of Category 2 breeds must be adults in good standing. Dogs must be registered with local authorities. It must be muzzled at all times when in public and is not permitted at public gatherings or places where children are present.

Flying a Pet to Monaco

Flights to France (see step 11) should be direct or transit through a listed third country 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.

Entering Monaco with a Pet

Pets flying to the EU by air from non-EU countries should do so at Cote D’Azur International Airport in Nice, France as this is the Border Inspection Post for Monaco.

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.

All live animals should enter France 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 on the way to France, 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 Monaco. 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 Monaco

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Monaco for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait for 21 days before leaving Monaco after primary vaccination.

If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted country, a veterinarian in Monaco should administer a rabies titer test before departure if your pet will be returning. 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 pet’s destination country.

Non-accompanied transports may require export permits.

All animals leaving Monaco for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance with the requirements of their destination country prior to the issuance of an export permit. The origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits will issue the necessary documentation.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Monaco

Rodents, rabbits, reptiles entering Monaco from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must be examined by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of transport and show no signs of disease or external parasites. They must be accompanied by their owner and less than 5 in number.

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Monaco from other EU Member States. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

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 in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for Monaco?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details and required forms to conform to Monaco pet import requirements. Unlimited email support is included if either you or your veterinarian have any questions.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Monaco?

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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 or
Return your pet to the country of origin at your expense or
Euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Monaco pet import requirements.

Monaco Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Quarantine for pets entering Monaco