Traveling with pets; obtaining a pet passport

An EU pet passport must be carried for each animal when traveling, with which the identity of your animal can be clearly proven and which shows that the animal has valid rabies protection (vaccination at the earliest from the 12th week of life plus 21 days until it is safely effective). Repeat vaccinations must be given at the intervals specified in the vaccine manufacturer's recommendations. The yellow international vaccination cards are no longer recognized.

In addition, each animal must be clearly identified by means of a tattoo or microchip and the identification number must be entered in the passport. Since July 3, 2011, microchipping has been mandatory for newly identified animals. However, the identification must not have been carried out after vaccination. An EU pet passport can be issued in Bavaria by all veterinarians authorized to do so.

For young pets, no intra-Community movement, import or transit through Germany is possible without an effective anti-rabies vaccination.

If the animal meets the above requirements, no further examination by an official veterinarian or veterinary surgeon is required before traveling to countries of the European Union. Exceptions apply for

• Ireland,
• Malta
• and Finland,

where additional requirements must be observed for dogs. In particular, treatment against parasites (Echinococcus) is required here, which must be carried out by a veterinarian at the earliest 120 hours and at the latest 24 hours before the time of your planned entry into the above-mentioned countries. The treatment must be certified by the attending veterinarian in the corresponding section of the pet passport. Anyone wishing to travel with their dog to one of the countries mentioned should therefore find out the details in good time.

When traveling to third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Union, the regulations applicable there must be observed.

Of particular importance, however, are the requirements imposed by the EU for re-entry from certain third countries, so-called non-listed third countries. Before traveling to third countries with rabies or an unknown rabies situation, including popular vacation destinations such as

• Turkey,
• Egypt,
• Morocco,
• Tunisia,
• Thailand
• or India

in addition to the above requirements, the effectiveness of the rabies vaccination must have been confirmed by a blood test carried out by an EU-approved laboratory before departure from Germany.
The blood sample should be taken in good time before the start of the journey so that the result can be entered in the pet passport.

Please note:
Animals that do not meet the requirements must be returned to the country of origin at the expense of the importer or placed in official quarantine at the importer's expense for the time required to meet the health requirements. In individual cases - if there is a suspicion of disease - killing may be ordered! This can incur considerable costs.

A maximum of five cats, dogs or ferrets can be taken per person. If you are taking more animals with you or if the animals are to change owners, other regulations apply.

If you want to take a dog, cat or ferret with you on your trip, you should find out as early as possible about the regulations that apply in the country in question.
Further information on traveling with pets can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Traveling with other animals

Rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs may accompany their owners when entering Germany without any special conditions having to be observed. However, if more than 3 rabbits are to enter the country, the regulations that also apply to commercial trade in these animals apply.

Travel with pet birds within the EU/transfer from third countries

From EU member states to Germany, a maximum of 5 birds not intended for sale to third parties may be carried by their owner.

In the case of parrots and parakeets, a special official veterinary animal health certificate is required, which can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

For travel to other member states, the respective national regulations must be checked in advance.

The entry of a maximum of 5 pet birds accompanied by their owner, which must not be intended for sale to third parties, from countries outside the EU (third countries) is subject to controlled conditions in order to prevent the introduction and spread of "bird flu". The conditions are regulated in detail by the European Commission's Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1938. The principles of the regulation together with the required animal health certificate can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.