The uniform  EU pet passport (opens in a new tab) is the only border document for privately owned dogs, cats and ferrets when traveling in EU countries. The passport, which has an identification number, must be able to be clearly assigned to the animal, i.e. the animal must be identifiable by means of a microchip or tattoo and this number must be entered in the passport.

In the Member States of Ireland, Malta and Finland, stricter requirements apply to antiparasitic treatments, in particular echinococcal treatment (tapeworms). For travel to non-EU countries, the current regulations should be obtained from their embassies. As an important transit country that does not belong to the EU, Switzerland will adopt the regulations regarding the EU pet passport as things stand at present.

When traveling to so-called non-listed third countries (these include Turkey or Bulgaria), antibody detection must be carried out by taking a blood sample from a practicing veterinarian after the rabies vaccination if the animals are to be re-imported into Germany or the EU. The result of the antibody test must be entered in the new EU pet passport by the practicing veterinarian before the start of the journey.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Veterinary Service of the Office for the Environment and Urban Greenery.