What requirements and documents are necessary to move animals to Poland in accordance with the legislation of the European Union?

The conditions for the movement of animals must comply with the general criteria of European Union legislation, taking into account the specifics outlined in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, including:

·       The animal must be identified with a microchip (transponder) or a readable tattoo applied before July 3, 2011.

·       The animal must have a valid rabies vaccination (the vaccination date should not precede the date of transponder or tattoo application, or the date of transponder or tattoo reading as specified in the relevant section of the identification document; revaccination should be considered as primary vaccination if not done within the validity period of the previous vaccination).

·       Current serological testing to determine the rabies antibody titer (level of neutralizing antibodies to the rabies virus in blood serum equal to or exceeding 0.5 IU/ml).

·       The animal must have an agreed-upon form of the Animal Health Certificate for non-commercial movement to EU member states.

The owner needs the following set of documents:

1.     Document confirming the presence of a microchip in the animal.

2.     Valid rabies vaccination administered, that is done not earlier than 21 days before entering the territory of Poland.

3.     Veterinary passport with all scheduled vaccinations, information about chipping, a photograph of the animal at the age of 12 months, and information about parasite treatment.

4.     Health certificate.

5.     Certificate of testing for rabies antibodies. The validity period of the certificate is 3 months from the moment of crossing the border.

6.     VET-1 or VET-1 (CIS) certificate.

7.     International certificate. Issued free of charge at the border in a special veterinary point. A VET-1 certificate is required specifically for this purpose.

8.     Deworming and acaricidal treatment, carried out no earlier than 48 hours before departure. Confirmed by the appropriate stamp in the passport.

9.     Document stating that the animal is not of breeding value.

10.  Certificate of compliance of the animal container. It must meet all IATA standards.

Note that one person can cross the border with no more than 5 domestic animals.

Documents required for animal registration:

If you are not a Polish citizen, you will need to additionally show a document confirming your legal residence in Poland.

In the condition of adopting an animal, the duties of the future owner and responsibility for violating these duties are specified. Additionally, the prospective animal owner must inquire about the animal's health condition and fill out a special questionnaire.