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Dogs and cats from non-EU countries that have effective rabies control

Listed countries are countries that are not EU members and for which the EU conditions do not apply, but which do have an effective rabies control system. The presence of rabies varies very much from one such country to another.
 
You can find a list of all countries concerned in the right-hand column. Please note that special rules apply to Malaysia.

The requirements are as follows:

The animals need to be identified


The animal must be identified by a clearly legible, permanent tattoo or by a microchip of ISO standard 11784 or 11785. The tattoo or microchip is to be applied by a veterinarian. The identity number must be included in all documents and in the veterinary certificate or the pet passport.
 
In 2011, the rules will change so that only microchips may be used for identifying animals travelling to or within the EU. However, tattoos may still be used on animals that are to remain in Sweden.

The animals must be vaccinated against rabies and have an approved antibody count


Dogs and cats need to be vaccinated against rabies. You can have the basic vaccination made when the animal has reached at least three months. If you have the vaccination done before that, it is not valid for travel. After the vaccination, you also need to make sure that the animal has produced enough antibodies against rabies.

More information about rabies vaccination and antibody check.

The animals need to be dewormed against tapeworm


Before bringing a dog or a cat to Sweden you need to have your animal dewormed by a veterinarian against the tapeworm Echinococcus using an approved preparation that contains praziquantel or epsiprantel. The treatment must be noted by the veterinarian in the veterinary certificate or the passport.

More information about deworming

You need to obtain a veterinary certificate or use the pet passport


The veterinary certificate is to be completed by an official veterinarian in the country of departure. The veterinarian shall state the animal´s identity number as well as the dates of vaccination, rabies antibody analysis and deworming. When you bring the animal into Sweden you need to bring the veterinary certificate as well as vaccination certificates and the result of the blood test.
 
Please note that there are two kinds of veterinary certificate. If the animal travels with its owner or as excess weight luggage, you need to use the veterinary certificate for pet animals. If the animal travels as cargo without a person to accompany it, or if there are more than five animals, you need to use the certificate for trade animals. You can find both types of certificate in the right-hand column.
 
If the animal is of EU origin and already has a pet passport, you use the passport instead of a veterinary certificate.

Cargo and trade animals need a health check before departure


Animals that are transported as cargo, i.e. not inside the cabin or as excess weight luggage, as well as animals that are to be sold after being imported into Sweden, count as trade animals. The same applies if you bring more than five animals. Trade animals must be inspected by an official veterinarian or an export veterinarian before being brought into Sweden. This health check shall take place no more than 24 hours before departure.
 
The veterinarian shall make a note in the veterinary certificate for trade animals or in the pet passport that the health check has been carried out. Please contact the veterinary authority in the country you are in, in order to find a suitable official or export veterinarian.
 

You may only bring animals via the airports Arlanda or Landvetter


Animals from listed non-EU countries may only be brought to Sweden via the airports Stockholm-Arlanda or Gothenburg-Landvetter. If the animal is to make an intermediate landing, you need to contact the veterinary authority or the embassy in order to make sure that the animal fulfils the import requirements.  

Veterinary inspection upon arrival


In case of animals that are to be sold, animals that travel as cargo, and animals in groups larger than five individuals, they are to be inspected by a veterinarian upon arrival. This inspection is to take place at one of the border inspection posts. You need to contact the post and notify the inspection at least one working day in advance. You can find the contact data you need in the right-hand column.

You have to report to customs


Exactly how you are to report to customs depend on where you cross the border. For more information, please consult the Swedish Customs´ website.länk till annan webbplats
 

Dogs need to be registered


Dogs brought permanently to Sweden need to be registered in the central dog register. Please contact our Customer Service for more information.
Last updated:2009-09-03   
Jordbruksverket 2009