BRINGING A DOG FROMAustralia to Germany
Dog · Moving
Bringing a cat instead?No quarantine. Needs microchip, rabies vaccination, animal health certificate, owner's declaration, port of entry, health declaration and non-commercial limits.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
EU animal health certificate endorsed by the origin authority within 10 days of entry, owner declaration, entry via a travellers' point of entry; no titer test.
Microchip implanted by a vet; if not ISO-readable, the owner must carry a reader. A clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 is also accepted.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Microchip implanted by a vet; if not ISO-readable, the owner must carry a reader. A clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 is also accepted.
before or on the day of the first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age, after the microchip; valid from 21 days after the primary course; boosters within validity (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, Annex VII Part 1).
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age, after the microchip; valid from 21 days after the primary course; boosters within validity (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, Annex VII Part 1).
primary vaccination completed at least 21 days before travel
EU animal health certificate (model in Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705), issued by an official vet of the origin country, or by an authorised vet and then endorsed by the origin competent authority, with copies of the vaccination details attached. After the entry check it stays valid for onward travel inside the EU for 6 months or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever is earlier.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
EU animal health certificate (model in Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705), issued by an official vet of the origin country, or by an authorised vet and then endorsed by the origin competent authority, with copies of the vaccination details attached. After the entry check it stays valid for onward travel inside the EU for 6 months or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever is earlier.
issued or endorsed not more than 10 days before entry into the EU (plus the length of the voyage if travelling by sea)
Signed declaration by the owner (or authorised person) that the movement is non-commercial, on the model in Part 2 of Annex V to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705, attached to the certificate.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Signed declaration by the owner (or authorised person) that the movement is non-commercial, on the model in Part 2 of Annex V to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705, attached to the certificate.
Enter through a travellers' point of entry designated by the Member State of arrival and present the pet for the documentary and identity check there. Each Member State publishes its own list (the European Commission's index links them all).
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Enter through a travellers' point of entry designated by the Member State of arrival and present the pet for the documentary and identity check there. Each Member State publishes its own list (the European Commission's index links them all).
Signed declaration by the owner (or authorised person) that during the transit the pet had no contact with rabies-susceptible animals and stayed in the vehicle or inside the international zone of the port or airport. Without it, the titer test required from unlisted countries applies.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Signed declaration by the owner (or authorised person) that during the transit the pet had no contact with rabies-susceptible animals and stayed in the vehicle or inside the international zone of the port or airport. Without it, the titer test required from unlisted countries applies.
- · the pet passed through a third country or territory that is not in Annex I or II on the way
At most 5 dogs, cats or ferrets per non-commercial movement (exception for registered events, animals over 6 months); owner travels within 5 days if an authorised person accompanies the pet.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
At most 5 dogs, cats or ferrets per non-commercial movement (exception for registered events, animals over 6 months); owner travels within 5 days if an authorised person accompanies the pet.
- No titer test is needed if the pet comes directly from an Annex II country where the owner lives, or stayed only in Annex I/II countries, or only transited an unlisted country with a signed declaration that it stayed in the vehicle or the airport/port international zone. — European Commission (EUR-Lex)
- Onward validity of the certificate inside the EU after the entry check. — European Commission (EUR-Lex)
- Certificates on the old 577/2013 model are still accepted until 31 March 2027 if issued before 1 October 2026. — European Commission (EUR-Lex)
- An EU pet passport held by a resident of Great Britain is not valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU. — European Commission, DG SANTE
- Preparation time 4 weeks: microchip + rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks, 21 days until valid; certificate issued/endorsed in the last 10 days before arrival.
No quarantine
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 5 ready.
Official fees
The official pages we researched for this route name no fee. Vet, lab and airline charges are not covered here.
Entry points
Where a pet may enter Germany, per the rules.
- List as of 2026-09-24The Commission's index of travellers' points of entry (one PDF or link per Member State). Note the page also exempts Norway, which is not in Annex I.Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Travellers' points of entry (index of per-country lists))· checked 24 Sep 2026
- Airports: STR, MUC, NUE, BER, BRE, HAM, FRA, RLG, HAJ, DTM, DUS, CGN, FMO, PAD, NRN, HHN, SCN, DRS, LEJ, ERFSeaports: Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, RostockList as of 2026-02-26Airports (PDF, part 2): Stuttgart, München, Nürnberg, Berlin Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Rostock-Laage, Hannover-Langenhagen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Köln/Bonn, Münster/Osnabrück, Paderborn/Lippstadt, Weeze, Frankfurt-Hahn, Saarbrücken, Dresden, Leipzig/Halle, Erfurt-Weimar. Seaports: Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Rostock. No road or rail points. Each entry has opening hours of the veterinary office.
Breed bans
Add the breed to your link (Edit route) and the checklist refuses a banned type.
- IMPORT BAN · GermanyPitbull-Terrier, American Staffordshire-Terrier, Staffordshire-Bullterrier, Bullterrier — and crossesExceptions: service dogs of the federal, Land and municipal authorities and of foreign armed forces, guide dogs, assistance dogs, disaster and rescue dogs (HundVerbrEinfVO § 2(1)); dogs returning to a place in Germany where they may lawfully be kept (§ 2(2)); temporary stay of up to four weeks with a companion who does not live in Germany (§ 2(3)); the companion must carry official papers proving identity and that the dog has not been conspicuous as dangerousIf found: housing at the owner's cost until the requirements are met, seizure, or immediate return to the place of origin (HundVerbrEinfVO § 4); criminal offence: up to two years' imprisonment or a fine (§ 5), confiscation of the dog (§ 7)The federal ban applies to bringing a dog in from another EU country as well as importing from a third country (§ 1 of the Act defines both).Second layer, not shown per Land: breeds presumed dangerous under the law of the Land where the dog will be kept may not be brought into that Land from abroad (16 Länder lists differ; e.g. Bavaria, Hamburg, NRW list further breeds). Check the destination Land.Temporary visits of up to four weeks with a non-resident companion are allowed.Papers in a foreign language need a certified German translation.Penalty for breaching the import ban.
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- KLM KLCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- Air France AFCabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- FROM 01 JAN 2028From 1 January 2028, the laboratory report of the rabies titer test must carry a code that lets its authenticity be checked on the laboratory's website.
Return trip to Australia
Hard for a returning pet (no separate returning-resident rule; standard import rules apply), about 30 weeks of preparation. Quarantine: at least 30 days at a government quarantine station.
- Rabies antibody (titer) test — the blood draw must happen before you leave, so plan it into the outbound trip: Rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT): blood taken by a government approved vet in an approved country, tested by FAVN or RFFIT at a lab recognised by the export country's government (can be in another approved country); result ≥0.5 IU/ml. Sample taken between 12 months and 180 days before export; export no earlier than 180 days after the sample ARRIVES at the lab (no exceptions). Valid 12 months from sampling — retest before expiry (sample must reach the lab within 12 months of the first) to avoid restarting the 180 days. English lab report on the testing lab's letterhead.
- Waiting period — 180+ days after the lab receives the sample: Export no earlier than 180 days after the RNATT blood sample arrives at the laboratory — no exceptions (a residency period, not quarantine). Counted from the lab's receipt date, not the sampling date.
- Residence period — 180+ days before departure: Continuously resident in an approved country (or countries) for at least 180 days immediately before export; a stay in a non-approved country restarts it. Quarantine time in the approved country does not count.
- Import permit: Apply in BICON after the RNATT declaration, uploading the RNATT lab report and declaration (and the identity declaration or Australian export certificate for the 10-day quarantine); pay in full on submission. Most permits take 20–40 business days, up to 123. Valid until the RNATT expires (12 months from blood sampling) and must be valid on arrival.
- Quarantine booking: Book Mickleham PEQ online after the permit is granted (partial payment at booking); airline "OK to Forward" approval before departure.
Source:Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) (opens official site: How to bring your dog to Australia from a Group 3 country)· checked 25 Sep 2026+3 more
Questions about Germany
Answered in plain words from the authorities' own pages, each linked to its source.
01What is a "non-commercial movement"?
It is the movement of a pet accompanying its owner that is not for sale or transfer of ownership. The owner is directly responsible for the pet.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202603How many pets can I bring under the non-commercial rules?
Generally, you can move a maximum of 5 pet animals for non-commercial purposes.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202604Does my pet need to meet EU entry requirements if we are just transiting through an EU airport?
No, if the pet stays in the international transit area and does not enter EU territory. If the pet enters the territory, it must meet EU entry conditions and have an animal health certificate.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202605Who is eligible to get an EU pet passport?
These passports are meant for pets whose owners mainly live in an EU member state. You can obtain one from a veterinarian authorised by the national authority in your EU country.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202606I live outside the EU but own a house there; can I use an EU pet passport?
No. Residence is the deciding factor, not property ownership. You must follow rules for pets entering from a non-EU country, including getting an animal health certificate.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202607Can I use an EU pet passport if I am a resident of Great Britain?
No, EU pet passports for Great Britain residents have been invalid since 31 December 2020. You need an Animal Health Certificate issued by an official vet in Great Britain for every entry.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202608When must microchips include a country code?
For non-commercial moves between EU countries, microchips must have the country code starting 1 January 2028. Pets chipped before 22 April 2026 according to specific rules are exempt.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202609Do I need to bring a microchip reader if my pet is from a non-EU country?
If a pet's microchip from a non-EU country does not meet EU technical requirements, the owner must provide a reading device to verify identification upon request.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202610What are the rabies vaccination rules for young pets coming from outside the EU?
Pets from non-EU countries must be vaccinated. They must be at least 12 weeks old at primary vaccination and the movement must occur at least 21 days after the full primary course.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202611When is a rabies antibody test required when transiting through a non-EU country?
A rabies antibody test is not needed if the non-EU country is listed in specific regulations. Otherwise, it is not required if the owner signs a declaration that the pet was confined and had no contact with susceptible animals.
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 202612Which dogs need tapeworm treatment before entering the EU?
Only dogs require this treatment, not cats. It must be administered by a vet 24–120 hours before entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland (UK).
Source:European Commission, DG SANTE (opens official site: Dogs, cats and ferrets — FAQs)· checked 04 Oct 2026
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
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Share your tripSources
Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 25 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 — animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals (opens official site)European Commission (EUR-Lex) · used for: microchip, rabies vaccination, animal health certificate, owner's declaration, port of entry, health declaration, notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-03-27
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law), Part VI — non-commercial movements of pet animals (opens official site)European Parliament and Council (EUR-Lex) · used for: non-commercial limits, quarantine, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2021-04-21
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 — lists of third countries or territories (consolidated 2026-06-19) (opens official site)European Commission (EUR-Lex) · used for: which origins the rule covers, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-06-19
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705 — model passports, animal health certificates and declarations (opens official site)European Commission (EUR-Lex) · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-03-27
- Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country (opens official site)European Commission, DG SANTE · used for: notes, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-07-15
- Travellers' points of entry (index of per-country lists) (opens official site)European Commission, DG SANTE · used for: entry points, this route · checked 24 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-09-03
- BMLEH — Einreiseorte in Deutschland, with the PDF "Liste der Einreiseorte in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (opens official site)Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat (BMLEH) · used for: entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-02-26
- Hundeverbringungs- und -einfuhrbeschränkungsgesetz (HundVerbrEinfG) — federal ban on bringing four terrier breeds into Germany (opens official site)Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) · used for: breed bans · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2001-04-12
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, Annex XXI — rabies antibody titration test; Echinococcus treatment for entry (opens official site)European Commission (EUR-Lex) · used for: announced changes · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-08-12
- How to bring your dog to Australia from a Group 3 country (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-02-20
- Pet Travel From the United States to Australia (exporting-country authority; corroboration only) (opens official site)U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-07-27
- Rabies vaccination and tests for cats and dogs coming to Australia (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2025-02-26
- Cats and dogs frequently asked questions (opens official site)Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
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