EXPLAINED: How to move to Germany with your pets

Moving to Germany can be exciting and daunting all at the same time, especially if you’re moving family members – including furry ones. The good news is that moving pets to Germany can be fairly straightforward. But you’ll need to prepare a bit ahead of time – even if you’re moving from another EU country.

The paperwork does differ a bit though depending on whether you’re bringing your pet from another EU country or if you’re taking them into Germany from outside the EU.

Here are the measures you’ll have to take if you’re moving your dog, cat, or ferret. These three animals have the most clearcut rules when it comes to moving.

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Moving your pet to Germany from another EU country

If you’re moving your pet into Germany from another EU country, a member of the EEA like Norway, or a non-EU state that harmonises with EU rules, such as Switzerland – the most important thing you’ll need is an EU Pet Passport.

In most EU countries, you’ll be able to get one of these from any practising veterinarian for any pet that’s older than three months.

Most importantly, the pet passport will include details of when your dog, cat, or ferret had their first rabies shot – as well as any additional boosters or other treatments. It’s important to keep in mind that your pet is only considered to be vaccinated against rabies if at least 21 days have passed since they got their shot.

It’s less challenging to bring a cat to Germany than a dog. Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

Pet passports also have to contain records of previous keepers and owners and have a picture of the animal. They also have the animal’s name, age, gender, breed, and ID number – or microchip code.

Your pet will also need to have a microchip identifier as well. This must have been implanted before or on the same day as their rabies jab. Tattoo ID codes are also allowed, providing they can be read clearly and were applied before July 3rd, 2011.

The ID code needs to match the number in the passport.

You can travel with up to five pets, but each one must have their own pet passport. You must also typically be with your pet although you can provide a legal letter authorising someone else to travel with them. If you do this, though, you’re required to be reunited with your dog, cat, or ferret within five days of them entering the country.

Once your pet has their passport, it’s good for their whole lifetime – as long as you keep their rabies vaccinations up to date.

With that in mind, taking your pet on holiday within the EU is a pretty straightforward process. Some countries though, like Finland or Malta, will require you to provide additional documentation that little Fido or Spot has been checked for tapeworms.

Providing you meet all of these requirements, you won’t have to put your healthy pet into quarantine.

Fido and Spot have got a few administrative hoops to jump through before they can enjoy walks in Germany. Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash

Moving with your pet from outside the EU

This one is a bit more complicated.

First up, your pet will need to be fitted with a microchip, unless they have a clearly readable tattoo from before July 3rd, 2011. 

You’ll also need to get an animal health certificate (AHC) from the country where they’re currently based before moving to Germany. This needs to contain the date of their valid rabies vaccinations, which must have been carried out at least 21 days prior to your pet entering Germany to be valid.

Depending on where you’re coming from, the AHC may also need to have the date and result of a rabies serological test. These tests have to be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before you arrive in Germany.

READ ALSO: Six things to know about adopting a dog in Germany

Whether you need this test or not depends on which country you’re coming from, because the EU has different agreements with different countries governing animal health. For example, if you’re moving your pet from the UK, you don’t need to provide one of these tests as long as you’ve kept your pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date. This also goes for several other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the US.

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It’s best to check with information pages either from the government of where you’re coming from – if they exist, such as this one from the UK – or with the website of your relevant German mission abroad to see if pets from your current country need this test.

The countries that require the additional test are generally the so-called ‘unlisted’ non-EU countries. These include Russia, Egypt, Serbia and Turkey.

Because of the vaccine, serology test and three-month waiting period, pets have to be at least seven months’ old before they’re allowed into Germany from one of these countries.

And if you’re travelling from the UK and already have a pet passport, unfortunately, these are no longer valid for travel to the EU (thanks, Brexit), so you’ll still need an AHC.

Unlike the pet passport, the certificate can only be used once, so you’ll need a new one each time you travel back into Germany from outside the EU with them. Also unlike the passport, you can have up to five pets on the same health certificate.

Once you have all this lined up, you’ll need to visit a veterinarian no earlier than ten days before you travel to Germany in order to pick up your pet’s animal health certificate.

Cuteness alone won’t get your pet into Germany. Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam ✪ on Unsplash

Plan carefully to book vaccination and test appointments at the right time to ensure their certificate is valid on time.

You also won’t be able to move very young pets, as no rabies vaccine performed before they’re 15 weeks’ old will be considered valid.

Finally, you personally – or someone who has your written authorisation – must accompany your four-legged friend into Germany. In cases where you don’t accompany them yourself, you need to have arrived in Germany no later than five days before or five days after they do.

You’ll also need to attach a written declaration to the health certificate stating that you’re not moving your pet to sell them or change ownership. This also applies if someone other than you is bringing your pet into the country.

So you’ve worked your way through all of that and you’re on your way. What happens next? Your pet’s documents will get checked by a customs officer to make sure that everything is correct before stamping the animal health certificate.

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What should I do for my dog, cat, or ferret once in Germany?

The stamped animal health certificate your furball came in on will be valid in Germany for up to four months and you can travel between EU countries during that period.

During that time, you should head to a German vet so you can convert that animal health certificate into an EU Pet Passport – which is then good for your pet’s lifetime. Remember: each pet will need their own passport.

Once they have their passport, it’ll be much easier for you to travel with them in the future – either around the EU or when re-entering, if from abroad.

If your pet’s a dog, you’ll also have to register them with your local authority, pay a dog tax (Hundesteuer), and ensure they have public liability insurance.

The amount of tax you have to pay varies slightly from state to state.

Cats and ferrets don’t need to be taxed or registered.

Depending on where you live in Germany – and what type of dog you have – you may also be required to sit a test that proves you’re capable of handling one.

READ ALSO: Mutilation ban and microchips – The new EU laws around cat and dog welfare

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Banned breeds

It’s also worth noting that some dog breeds are banned from entering Germany. Pit bulls, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and bull terriers all generally fall under the breeds that are considered too dangerous to be allowed into the country.

There are a few exceptions to the ban, though, such as service dogs with appropriate documentation and dogs that will be in the country with tourists for fewer than four weeks.

With additional reporting from Amy Brooke