General information about traveling with pets
In some countries, an official veterinary health certificate is required for the entry of pets. This is issued by prior appointment (Tel.: 07141 / 1 44 - 2031).
Please note the following points before you come to the office to have the health certificate issued:
- Have all the required vaccinations been entered in the animal's vaccination record and do the vaccination dates comply with the entry requirements? If vaccinations are missing, please contact a veterinary surgeon.
- Bring your dog or cat as well as the vaccination card and any other country-specific certificates with you to the examination appointment.
The following requirements apply to animals that come from a so-called non-listed third country with an undetermined rabies situation or rabies incidence*) and travel to the EU or come from the EU and are on their return journey from these third countries to the EU:
- The animals must be identified and have a valid rabies vaccination.
- At the earliest 30 days after vaccination, the success of the vaccination must be verified by determining the titer of rabies antibodies in the blood. This may only be carried out in a laboratory approved by the EU.
- If the determination reaches the required value (>= 0.5 IU /ml blood), a waiting period of 3 months must be observed from the day the blood sample is taken until the animal is moved.
- For animals that originate from the EU (e.g. Germany) and are on their return journey from one of these third countries, it is strongly recommended that the titre determination is carried out in Germany before the vacation trip, as the three-month waiting period can then be omitted. The EU pet passport together with proof of the titre determination is sufficient as a certificate (the titre determination must be confirmed by a veterinarian in the pet passport).
- The above-mentioned activities must be confirmed in the health certificate specified by the EU by the official veterinarian or authorized veterinarian of the third country. This certificate must be carried when entering the EU. For animals originating from the EU, the EU pet passport replaces this certificate.
*) Article 13(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 lists the so-called listed third countries. The provisions listed above therefore apply to all (third) countries not listed there.
- In some countries, it is forbidden to bring dogs classified as dangerous. Some countries require dogs to be muzzled and kept on a lead. As there are many different regulations, you should inform yourself about the regulations of the respective country before traveling.
- When traveling by land, the regulations of the transit countries must also be observed.
Please note that the regulations on the movement of pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets are not harmonized in the EU. Each EU Member State may have different regulations. Some EU member states require a health certificate for rabbits, for example, while others do not. Please check with the embassy and consulate of the country you are traveling to and check whether it is really necessary to take the animal with you. The regulations for bringing rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs to Germany can be found here.
Special regulations apply to pet birds due to avian flu.
An official veterinary certificate is required for the transportation of horses abroad. The veterinary office in whose jurisdiction the horse is located is responsible. You can apply for the certificate using the form below.
Please note that due to the changeover from Traces classic to Traces NT, a lead time of 10 working days is required until further notice.
