Bringing your Pet

Entry and re‐entry of dogs, cats, ferrets and other pets into Austria when travelling from other countries

Pets fulfilling the conditions described below are not subject to checks by a border veterinarian in Austria.

Pets

The following animals are considered pets: dogs, cats, ferrets, invertebrates (except for bees and crustaceans), ornamental tropical fish, amphibia, reptiles, birds (except poultry) as well as rodents and domestic rabbits which are accompanying their owners or a natural person responsible for such animals on behalf of the owner and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner upon arrival.

A maximum of five animals may be taken along per person.

Due to a recent avian influenza outbreak, special conditions apply in the case of ornamental birds until at least December 31, 2009. Birds will have to undergo a medial check-up by a border veterinarian.

For dogs, cats and ferrets, the following rules apply:

Each animal entering the EU from a non-EU state while travelling with a private person must have an active rabies vaccination. A vaccination certificate has to be carried along for each animal. Furthermore, a serological test for rabies (titration test) is required for each animal that does not originate from a country specified below.

Anti‐rabies vaccination

An anti‐rabies vaccination is deemed valid if:

• the animal has been vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine in accordance with the licensing for market authorization of the vaccine in the country of origin;
• you enter the country 21 days after finishing the basic vaccination procedure;
• the animal has been re‐vaccinated at regular intervals;
• the vaccine has an efficiency of at least one antigenic unit per dose (WHO standard).

Identification

Each animal has to be identified by a clearly legible tattoo or a microchip.

Certification

Each animal has to be accompanied by a certificate as prescribed in Commission Decision 2004/824/EC. You can find a specimen certificate on the website indicated at the bottom of the page. This certificate must be issued by an officially certified veterinarian in German or English and, if required, must be endorsed by the competent authority.

The certificate must be accompanied by supporting documentation certifying a valid anti‐rabies vaccination (e.g. international vaccination certificate, vaccination passport).

The following information applies to pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) that enter Austria from non-EU states:

Each animal has to be identified.

Each animal has to be vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination must be valid.

A vaccination certificate must be presented for each animal, including proof of a serological test for rabies (antibody titration).

This serological test for rabies has to be carried out as follows:

a neutralizing antibody titration at least equal to 0.5 IU/ml carried out on a sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the intended date of travel. The titration has to be carried out in an EU-approved laboratory.

This serological test for rabies needs not to be repeated if a pet has been re‐vaccinated at the required intervals.

Re‐entry of Austrian animals from countries not specifically named:

In the case of re‐entry, a pet pass has to be carried along for each animal that indicated the date of the valid rabies vaccination and if applicable, the serological test for rabies.

The three‐month period between bloodletting and movement does not apply to the re‐entry of a pet if the passport demonstrates that the serological test for rabies was carried out before the animal left the EU.

Ascension Island, United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, Netherlands Antilles, Argentina, Australia, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda, Belarus, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, St. Pierre et Miquelon, Russian Federation, Singapore, St. Helena, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United States of America (including Guam), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna as well as Mayotte.

For animals travelling from the non-EU countries mentioned above, the following rules apply:

Each animal has to be identified.

Each animal has to be vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination must be valid.

A certificate must be presented for each animal. A serological test for rabies (antibody titration) is not required.

The following rules apply to the re‐entry of Austrian animals from these non-EU countries countries:

In the case of re‐entry, a pet pass has to be carried along for each animal. A serological test for rabies is not required.

3.3. Special rules appy to the following countries of origin:

The limitation of five animals per person does not apply to the countries of Andorra, Switzerland, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and Vatican City State. Any number of animals travelling from these countries may enter Austria, if accompanied by the certificate or a pet pass (e.g. Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino already make use of a pet pass).

Entry of dogs and cats younger than 12 weeks:

A written import permit by the Federal Ministry of Health is required for all animals of under 12 weeks of age that are imported into Austria for non-commercial purposes. Such permits may only be issued if the animals originate in a non-EU country specifically named or a country mentioned under 3.3.. Furthermore, these animals are subject to border veterinarian control.

For all animals imported from Andorra, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and Vatican City State the conditions of intra‐Community movements of animals of under 12 weeks of age apply.

Commercial imports:

As of 12 October 2004, all imports of dogs, cats and ferrets of over 12 weeks of age are subject to the conditions prescribed in the Commission Decision 2004/595/EC.

Important websites:

Information and specimen certificate:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm

List of EU‐approved laboratories for serological rabies tests:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/approval_en.htm

Further information:

Federal Ministry of Health, Department II/B/5
Telephone (Mo ‐ Fr, 9:00 to 4:00 pm): +43 1 71100 extension 4813
E‐Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it