Can I bring Pets to Germany?
Pets→Germany
⚠️ Allowed with Conditions
📋 Carrying Limits
- Quantity Limit:Dogs, cats and ferrets: normally no more than 5 animals per single non-commercial movement; a single movement is carried out in one means of transport unless it is public transport. More than 5 only with proof (e.g. a registration document) that the animals are taking part in a competition, exhibition or sporting event and are over 6 months old; otherwise the animal-health rules for commercial import or trade apply. Pet birds from a non-EU country: no more than 5 per single non-commercial movement.
✅ Declaration Requirements
⚠️From an EU country or Northern Ireland: each dog, cat or ferret must travel with a valid EU pet passport signed by the owner (a pet whose owner habitually resides in a non-EU country and that entered the EU with an EU animal health certificate may instead continue with that certificate while it is valid, provided the competent authority at the travellers' point of entry recorded its entry in the certificate). From a non-EU country: carry the EU animal health certificate issued or endorsed no more than 10 days before entry into the EU (plus the length of any sea voyage) with the signed non-commercial declaration attached — or, instead, a pet passport issued in a country listed in Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 by an official or authorised vet, signed by the owner and certifying a valid rabies vaccination; or the EU pet passport of a pet returning to the EU, if it shows that before leaving the EU the pet was vaccinated against rabies (vaccination still valid on return) and, unless returning from a country listed in Annex I or II, had a titration test with a favourable result. If the pet had no titration test because it comes from a country listed in Annex I or II of Regulation 2026/636 but passed through an unlisted country, carry the owner's or authorised person's signed declaration that during that passage the pet had no contact with rabies-susceptible animals and remained secured in the means of transport or within the international zone of a port or airport. Normally enter through a designated travellers' point of entry and contact the competent authorities there for document and identity checks (not required from Annex I countries or Northern Ireland). If someone other than the owner travels with the pet, attach the owner's signed written authorisation; the owner's journey must be within 5 days. Dogs of the federally banned breeds may enter only under an exception: people staying in Germany no longer than 4 weeks must carry documents verifying the dog; dogs returning from abroad and service dogs of public services or armed forces, guide, assistance and rescue dogs must show original documents on entry proving the dog is the one covered by the authorisation, and a working dog also needs a certificate describing the purpose for which it is kept.
Form needed: EU pet passport (from EU/Northern Ireland) or EU animal health certificate with signed non-commercial declaration (from non-EU countries)
📌 Quick Summary
🔗 Official Information Source:
Last Updated:October 20, 2026
Reliability:
📝 Important Notes
- •⚠️ CONDITIONAL — EU Pet Travel Rules
- •Bringing pets to Germany 2026:
- •The EU pet travel rules (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, applicable since 22 April 2026) cover non-commercial journeys with dogs, cats and ferrets — private travel with no sale or change of ownership. Pet birds and other pets (e.g. rabbits, rodents, reptiles) follow separate rules.
- •All dogs, cats and ferrets:
- •Microchip (transponder), or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011; the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination
- •Rabies vaccination: the first/primary vaccination can only be given from 12 weeks of age, and travel is allowed at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is completed. A booster given before the previous vaccination expires needs no new waiting period; a late booster counts as a new primary vaccination
- •Germany does not admit young pets that are unvaccinated or vaccinated but not yet fully immune
- •Normally no more than 5 dogs/cats/ferrets per single non-commercial movement (see limits)
- •If the pet travels with someone other than the owner: attach the owner's signed written authorisation; the owner's own journey must be within 5 days of the pet's journey
- •From EU: EU Pet Passport with valid rabies vaccination, signed by the owner (also from Northern Ireland). A pet whose owner habitually resides in a non-EU country and that entered the EU with an EU animal health certificate may continue to Germany with that certificate while it is valid, provided the competent authority at the travellers' point of entry recorded the entry in the certificate.
❓ More Questions
Is Germany dog-friendly?
Very! Dogs are welcome in most restaurants, cafes, shops, and on public transport. Germany loves dogs.
What is Hundesteuer?
Hundesteuer is a local dog tax. Each municipality decides by its own dog-tax statute whether it is levied, the rates, any reductions or exemptions, and when a dog must be registered — check with the municipality where the dog is kept. Example Berlin: anyone who takes a dog into their household for private purposes must pay €120 a year for the first dog and €180 for each additional dog, and must register the dog within one month of buying it or moving to Berlin; a dog younger than three months must be registered within its first four months of life (registration in the Berlin dog register also counts as the tax registration). Berlin grants exemptions on application, e.g. for guide and assistance dogs, dogs adopted from animal shelters (for five years) and recipients of certain social benefits.
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