Serbia Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Serbia pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Serbia will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, titer test results (some countries), and health certificate. Import permits are required for commercial imports issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

Serbia is classified as an unlisted country (high rabies) by the European Union and many other countries. A rabies titer test will be required to return to the European Union and many other part 1 or 2 listed third countries. See more information under Exporting Pets below.

Pets in Serbia

Pet ownership in Serbia is a well-established and cherished part of the culture. Many Serbian households keep a variety of pets, ranging from the traditional dogs and cats to birds, fish, and even exotic animals. Dogs are one of the most beloved pets in Serbia and cats are equally popular due to their independent nature and suitability for apartment living. Birds, particularly parrots, canaries, and budgerigars, are popular pets in Serbia.

Serbia has a well-developed network of veterinary clinics offering a range of services; however, stray dogs and cats are a common issue in many urban areas. Numerous pet stores and online retailers provide pet food, accessories, and supplies. Cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad have a wide selection of pet products.

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.

Although Serbia is not member of the European Union, many of Serbia’s pet import requirements align with those of the EU.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Serbia

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Serbia if the following import regulations are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to denial of import, return to the origination country, quarantine or may be euthanized. All costs will be borne by the importer.

All steps required to import a pet to Serbia must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Serbia does not recognize any countries as rabies free. Dogs, cats and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their pet import regulations. Countries are classified as either:

The requirements to import a dog, cat or ferret to Serbia will depend on the classification of the origination country, and whether your pet has entered an Annex 3 Country within the past 4 months. Click on the links above to find your country classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing import regulations for Serbia.

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 Serbia 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 Serbia is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784 or 11785 Annex A 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 if it is clearly visible, and your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied. Microchips are preferred.

Step 4: Vaccinations

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

If entering Servia from another EU Member State, Annex 1 or Annex 2 Country, your pet must wait for at least 21 days after primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Serbia from an Annex 3 Country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

In ether case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Other Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are part of a healthy pet regiment:

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

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

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

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

For pets entering Serbia from Annex 3 Countries, a rabies titer 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 Serbia until 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid denial of entry.

The test is valid to enter any EU Member State or Serbia for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

Serbia requires that pets conform to all preventative measures to ensure public health and safety, control of which will prevent diseases or infections other than rabies which could spread due to the movement of pets.

The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required.

Pet owners should consider keeping their pets protected when traveling internationally, and export procedures in the origination country may mandate these treatments.

Step 7: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires current health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Serbia 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 Serbia from an EU Member State or Annex 1 or Annex 2 Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

If entering Serbia as a resident pet from an EU Member State or part 1 listed country, an updated government-issued Pet Passport is accepted. See next paragraph if your pet does not qualify for an EU or government-issued pet passport.

If entering Serbia from a part 2 listed third country, a licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals within ten days of import.

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

Non-Commercial Transport to Serbia from an Annex 3 Country

Steps 3, 4 and 5 apply.

Within 10 days of entry, a licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals within ten days of import.

The pet health certificate for Serbia is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within Serbia if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Serbia from an EU Member State, Annex 1 or Annex 2 Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an Annex 3 Country within four months of import.

Advance permission for the import must be submitted by a resident of Serbia or an agent in this country. It will take 10-30 days for approval.

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

All transports to or from the European Union must be registered in TRACES.

Commercial Transport to Serbia from an Annex 3 Country

Steps 3, 4 and 5 apply.

Advance permission for the import must be submitted by a resident of Serbia or an agent in this country. It will take 10-30 days for approval.

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

Step 8: Import Permit

An import permit is not required when importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Serbia under non-commercial regulations. See Other Animals section below.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Serbia

Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and kits (baby ferrets) under 12 weeks of age may enter Serbia only from an EU Member State or Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country on these conditions:

Puppies, kittens and kits must also be accompanied by either:

A declaration signed by the owner that the pet has resided in the origin country since birth until time of import and has had no contact with wild animals that could carry rabies.
Their mother whose official Passport or health certificate indicates that she was vaccinated for rabies according to these regulations when she gave birth.

Puppies and kittens under 12 weeks of age are permitted to enter Serbia from a country considered by the World Organization of Animal Health to be rabies-free with a microchip and health certificate.

All pets over 12 weeks of age are subject to requirements listed here.

Breeds Banned from Import to Serbia

Serbia does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Serbia with a Pet

Pets entering Serbia can enter at the following border crossings:

Airport Nikola Tesla, Belgrade
Batrovci-Bezdan (river border crossing with Republic of Croatia)
Mali Zvornik-Sremska Raca (border crossing with Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Horgos (border crossing with the Republic of Hungary)
Vatin (border crossing with Romania)
Veliko Gradiste (river border crossing with Romania)
Dimitrovgrad (border crossing with the Republic of Bulgaria)
Presevo (border crossing with the Republic of Macedonia)
Gostun (border crossing with the Republic of Montenegro)

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

Flights to Serbia should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Flights to Serbia should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, Annex 1 or Annex 2 Country if possible*. If your pet transits through an Annex 3 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 domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Serbia. 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 Serbia for another EU Member State or Annex 1 or Annex 2 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 Serbia (wait time may vary according to destination country requirements).
Have a licensed veterinarian issue an Export Health Certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.
Provide other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements).

Exception: Exports to EU Member States that permit the entry of unvaccinated puppies and kittens.

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

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Serbia. Even if your pet is not entering an Annex 3 Country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

All animals leaving Serbia for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance with their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin country responsible for the issuance of export permits.

Importing Birds and Other Pet Animals to Serbia

Other Animals

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles entering Serbia should travel with their owners under non-commercial regulations and be accompanied with a current health certificate issued within 5 days of travel.

These pets should conform to the following conditions:

Be accompanied by their owner.
Be not more than 5 in number.
Be imported under non-commercial regulations only.
Have a current health certificate including identifying microchip number (if appropriate) or specific features of the pet.
Be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.
Have an Owner’s Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport
Enter Serbia at an approved Border Inspection Post. (Non-EU transports)

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Due to Avian Influenza, owners of pet birds wanting to import them to Serbia are encouraged to contact Veterinary Services for permission to import. The following requirements should be followed when importing a bird to Serbia.

The bird is accompanied by the owner or owner’s representative.
The transport does not exceed 5 birds in number.
The bird must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag) prior to isolation and any testing (see below).

Additional Requirements for Bird Imports from Non-EU Countries:

Birds must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
Birds must have had two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and 6 months of import OR
Birds are subjected to 4 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
Birds have had a 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)

Birds must be examined within 48 hours of transport and found free of any signs of disease or external parasites. 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.

Birds must not be exposed to any other birds after the clinical examination and prior to import.

Birds must enter Serbia at an approved border inspection point.

After entering Serbia, 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 are subject to CITES regulations must be accompanied by additional permits (next step).

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

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. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Serbia if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations.

Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Serbia?

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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 Serbia pet import requirements.