Are you transporting your dog or cat to Germany? You've come to the right place! There are many considerations when it comes to pet transport to Germany to ensure your trip or move goes smoothly.
Connect with our experts and see how we can make this portion of your pet relocation to Germany as stress-free as possible so that you can focus on your human move.
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In This Guide
Germany follows standard EU pet import rules, but requires a bilingual (German/English) health certificate, which adds a step most pet owners miss. If you are moving your dog or cat from the United States to Germany, here is exactly what you need and when to do it.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 compliant; must be implanted before or same day as rabies vaccination |
| Rabies Vaccination | Current, administered after microchip; 21-day wait after primary vaccination before travel |
| Health Certificate | EU non-commercial health certificate (bilingual German/English), issued by USDA-accredited vet, USDA APHIS endorsement required |
| Titer Test | Not required from the USA (USA is an EU-listed country) |
| Quarantine | None for compliant pets |
Microchip
Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implanted before receiving its rabies vaccination. The veterinarian must scan the microchip before administering the vaccine every time. If a rabies vaccination was given before the microchip was implanted, or without scanning the microchip first, it does not count under EU rules.
Rabies Vaccination
Pets must be at least 16 weeks old to meet the standard EU import process (12 weeks minimum vaccination age plus the 21-day immunity period, plus one additional week required under EU-aligned rules).
Primary rabies vaccination: The first rabies vaccination your pet receives after microchip implantation, or after any lapse in coverage, is classified as a "primary" vaccination. Under EU rules, a primary vaccination is only valid for 1 year, even if your veterinarian administered a 3-year vaccine. Your pet must wait at least 21 days after a primary vaccination before traveling to Germany.
Booster rabies vaccination: If your pet receives its next rabies vaccination within 1 year of the primary, with no lapse in coverage, this is a "booster." A booster can be valid for 1 to 3 years per the vaccine manufacturer's instructions, and your pet does not need to wait 21 days after a booster. However, you must carry all rabies vaccination certificates proving continuous coverage since the primary.
Recommended (not required) vaccines: Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHLPP), and Bordetella. Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP). These are not import requirements, but veterinarians recommend them for general health protection.
EU Health Certificate and USDA Endorsement
Bilingual Certificate Required
Germany requires the EU non-commercial health certificate in a bilingual German/English version. To request the bilingual certificate, submit your request through the APHIS pet travel website before your vet appointment. Include your destination country (Germany), travel date, and number of pets.
Your USDA-accredited veterinarian completes and signs this certificate, and USDA APHIS must then endorse (countersign and emboss) it before your pet travels. USDA APHIS mails back the original ink-signed, embossed hard copy certificate. This physical document must travel with your pet. A digital copy or scanned version is not accepted at the German border.
Certificate Validity
The health certificate is valid for 30 days from the date your vet signs it. USDA endorsement and your pet's arrival in Germany must both occur within that 30-day window. Your pet must arrive in Germany within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. After entering Germany, the certificate remains valid for up to 4 months of travel within the EU, as long as your pet's rabies vaccination does not expire.
Owner's Declaration
The final page of the EU health certificate contains a Declaration that you (or a designated person traveling with your pet) must complete and sign before departure. This Declaration must accompany your pet and the health certificate to Germany.
For Commercial Moves
If you or a designated person cannot travel within 5 days of your pet, or if you are traveling with 6 or more pets, you must use the EU commercial health certificate instead. The commercial certificate must be issued by your accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, and your pet must leave the United States within 48 hours of the veterinarian issuing the certificate. The 2025 version of the commercial certificate is now required; the 2024 version is no longer accepted.
Titer Test
Not required from the USA. The United States is an EU-listed country, so no rabies titer test is required. A titer test is only required for pets traveling from unlisted (non-EU-recognized) countries.
No Quarantine
Pets that meet all requirements enter Germany directly with no quarantine period. Pets that do not meet Germany's import requirements may be refused entry or quarantined at the owner's expense.
The Five-Day Rule: Non-Commercial vs. Commercial
If your dog or cat is traveling non-commercially, you or a designated person (a family member, friend, or authorized individual) must travel within 5 days before or after your pet. The move must also involve 5 or fewer pets.
If you cannot meet the 5-day window, the move is classified as commercial. Commercial moves have a tighter documentation timeline (48-hour window from vet issuance to departure), may involve additional costs, and use a different health certificate. Your relocation manager will coordinate the correct certificate and timeline for your situation.
Breed Restrictions
German federal law restricts the import of certain breeds. The following breeds and their mixes are banned from import: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier.
Rottweilers are not banned but may be subject to a temperament assessment depending on the German state (Bundesland) you are moving to. Export and transit through Germany are not affected by breed bans.
Entry Points and Customs
Frankfurt (FRA) is the primary entry airport for pets arriving in Germany as cargo. Munich (MUC) and other major German airports also accept pet cargo shipments. Confirm your specific arrival airport's current BIP status before booking, as accepted entry points can change.
Airline and Transport Options
Airline pet policies (breed embargoes, weight limits, seasonal temperature restrictions, booking deadlines) change frequently and without notice. Confirm current cargo acceptance policies directly with any airline before booking.
Timeline: USA to Germany
3 to 4 months before travel: Confirm your pet has an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before rabies vaccination. If a primary vaccination is needed, schedule it now and note the 21-day wait. Request the bilingual German/English health certificate through the APHIS pet travel website.
30 days before travel: If your pet needs a primary rabies vaccination, have it administered at least 21 days before travel. This allows time for microchipping (if not already done), the 21-day waiting period, and the health certificate appointment.
10 days before travel: Your USDA-accredited vet completes and signs the bilingual EU health certificate. Submit to USDA APHIS for endorsement. Include a prepaid return envelope for the physical endorsed certificate.
Within 10 days of USDA endorsement: Your pet must arrive in Germany. Confirm your travel is within 5 days of your pet's travel (non-commercial). Bring the USDA-endorsed EU health certificate (ink-signed, embossed paper copy), all rabies vaccination certificates, and signed Owner's Declaration.
Common mistakes that cause problems:
- Microchip implanted after rabies vaccination: vaccination does not count, must revaccinate and wait 21 days.
- Primary vaccine assumed valid for 3 years: under EU rules a primary is only valid for 1 year regardless of vaccine label.
- English-only health certificate: Germany requires the bilingual German/English version.
- 10-day window miscalculated: the window runs from USDA endorsement, not vet signature.
- Cargo space booked too late: pet cargo fills faster than passenger seats.
- Breed restriction not checked: the four banned breeds and their mixes cannot enter Germany.
How PetRelocation Can Help
Complete Support: We coordinate the full move: bilingual certificate facilitation, USDA endorsement and physical mail-back logistics, airline cargo booking, and customs documentation at destination.
Vet Paperwork Support: We manage the documentation chain while you handle airline logistics.
Consultation: Direct access to our team to work through your timeline and questions.
Ready to start? Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.
For official requirements, see the USDA APHIS Germany pet travel page.
