Handel und Reiseverkehr mit lebenden Tieren innerhalb der EU und mit Drittstaaten: Amtstierärztliche Kontrolle/Gesundheitsbescheinigung

Anyone wishing to import animals from a non-EU country into the EU requires a health certificate issued by an official veterinarian.

When moving from EU countries and importing live animals from non-EU countries into the European Union (EU), the animals must be accompanied by a health certificate. This health certificate confirms compliance with the health requirements for the movement/import by an official veterinarian.

Animals that do not meet the health requirements may not be imported. Live animals must always be imported via a border inspection post.

Relaxed regulations apply when traveling with pets within the EU. As a general rule, dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified and have an EU pet passport issued by the family veterinarian, in which the rabies vaccination in particular is confirmed. There are additional requirements for certain member states such as Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden and Malta.

It is also not possible to bring dogs and cats from non-EU countries (pet import) without further ado. In these cases, please contact your vet or the relevant veterinary office in good time.

When traveling with animals to non-EU countries, the regulations of these countries apply.

Anyone who brings dogs or cats from other EU countries or imports them into the EU from third countries in order to sell them must comply with more extensive regulations. These can be obtained from the competent veterinary authority or the border inspection post through which the animals are to be imported.

Identification papers of the animals, for example:

• Pet passport,
• Equine passport (identity document for horses)
• cattle passport
• trade documents
• Transport certificates.

Veterinary fees are charged for necessary official veterinary certificates and on-site veterinary inspections. Further information can be obtained from the competent veterinary offices of the districts and independent cities.

Puppies without adequate rabies protection may not be brought to Germany from other member states or imported from third countries.
The animals must therefore always be at least 15 weeks old at the time of trade or travel.

When traveling with pets from some third countries, an anti-rabies antibody test result must be available 3 months prior to import.

To the districts or independent cities (veterinary offices, official veterinarians).