Conditions for pet owners

If you are entering Germany with a pet from outside the EU, it must meet certain criteria. These include: 

- must be marked with a stamp or microchip; 

- be vaccinated against rabies;

- have an official veterinary passport certifying the number of the brand or microchip, as well as all vaccinations. 

In addition, according to EU rules, a rabies antibody titration test is required, which must be done no earlier than 30 days after the rabies vaccination, but no later than 3 months before the day of entry into the EU. 

All animals crossing the border are subject to screening, including cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents, horses, turtles (unless they are considered endangered species), ornamental fish, parrots, carrier pigeons and other bird species. If you want to bring more exotic species of animals, it is better to check with the German Embassy. 

Please note that one person can cross the border with no more than 5 pets. 

Please also note that dogs in Germany require registration. You must register your dog with your local citizens' office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. This can usually be done online. However, you may have to visit it for a short appointment. Note that you will need to re-register your dog every time you change your place of residence.

Every dog owner is also obliged to pay a dog tax (Hundesteuer) to the local tax office. This is intended to discourage people from having too many dogs and also to help fund dog-related services (e.g. dog waste bins). The exact amount of tax depends on where you live and the number of dogs you have. Guide dogs are exempt from the dog tax.