Pet import requirements for Austria

Austria at a glance

The detail

Highly Recommended. Highly Recommended. Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. Have the HAWB issued to VIE unless the airline assigns a different live-animal station.

Import requirements

No importation of dogs, cats and ferrets younger than 16 weeks. (Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age and 21 days until the validity of the vaccination). Since the conditions are fully harmonized, there is no possibility of a derogation from rabies requirements for younger animals.

The border crossing points where these checks are carried out are the airports of Vienna-Schwechat, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof and Klagenfurt as well as the customs of fices vis-á-vis Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Entry and Re-entry of Pets

Federal Office of Consumer Health (BAVG)

Director

Dr. Anton Reinl

Mag. Michael Raumauf, LL.M., B.A. (Deputy Director)

Import Control Department (IMP)

Dr. Elke Narath

Export Permit Department (EXP)

Dr. Ulrike Vorberg, MSc

Legal Services Department (RDI)

Mag. Michael Raumauf, LL.M., B.A.

What qualifies as a non-commercial movement

The EU regulations stipulate that dogs, cats and ferrets are considered pets, and the non-commercial certificate is to be used, if the following conditions are met:

• they are accompanying their owners or an authorised person responsible for such animals on behalf of the owner during their movement. By "accompanying" the EU has clarified that the animal's movement is as a result of the owner's movement to the EU, even if these movements are separate from one another either:
• spatially (i.e. the animal travels as cargo on the same flight as the owner), or
• in time up to five days earlier or five days later than the movement of the owner (i.e. the animal travels at a different time from the owner, for example with the assistance of a family friend or relative, or by a carrier company specializing in pet transport);

The EU regulations require that documentary evidence (in the form of a boarding pass or flight ticket) be presented to support the claim that the movement of the animal is the result of the movement of the owner.

• they are not in tended to be sold or transferred to another owner;
• the owner or natural person designated by the owner must declare the conditions (found in a) and b) above), in the appropriate section of the certificate; and
• the number of dogs, cats and ferrets which may accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single non-commercial movement either:
• shall not exceed five (5), or
• may exceed five if the following conditions are fulfilled:
• the non-commercial movement is for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training for such events; and
• the owner or the authorised person submits written evidence that the pet animals are registered either to attend an event referred to in point 1, or with an association organising such event; and the pet animals are more than six (6) months old.

If any of these conditions are not met, the [commercial certificate](https://in spection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/exports/pets/eu-commercial-/eng/1321466489704/1321466637929) should be used. Animals traveling to exhibitions and fairs would be considered a "non-commercial movement" if they are not for sale on-site.

Commercial Import of Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets

Clinical examination - dogs, cats and ferrets must undergo within 48 hours prior to the time of dispatch a clinical examination carried out by an of ficial veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no signs of diseases. The health certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian. The pet must originate in a facility registered in the exporting country. The transport must be registered in TRACES.

Pets can only be imported to Austria commercially from these countries.

Entering Austria from Malaysia or Australia

If the pet is entering Austria from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met:

• The pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.

• The pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

• The pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Austria from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days. These facts should be attested in the health certificate.

Identification and microchip

Microchip must be done prior to rabies vaccine. Microchip number must be documented on all documents.

*ISO-compliant microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long and meet specific in ternational standards (ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785). An exception is the AVID EuroChip (a 10-character chip) which meets ISO standard 11785 Annex A You can check ISO-compliance with the microchip manufacturer.

Rabies and vaccinations

Rabies vaccination with an in activated or recombinant vaccine after 12 weeks of age and a wait of 21 days un not counting the day of vaccination.

The first rabies vaccination your pet gets after its microchip or after any lapse in coverage is a “primary” rabies vaccination according to EU rules.

For all pets vaccinated in the United States, a “primary” rabies vaccination is only valid for 1 year. Even if your pet is an adult animal and receives a three-year vaccine, if it is a “primary” rabies vaccination according to EU rules, it is only valid for 1 year. This is a USDA requirement.

If your pet does not receive another rabies vaccination within 1 year of a “primary” rabies vaccination, it means the vaccination coverage lapsed and you must start over. Even if the vaccination coverage only lapses by a day, the next rabies vaccination is again considered a “primary” rabies vaccination, and it is only valid for 1 year.

“Booster” Rabies Vaccination:

If your pet does get its next rabies vaccination within 1 year of a “primary” rabies vaccination, this “booster” rabies vaccination can be valid for 1-3 years, according to the vaccine manufacturer’s in structions. Note: If your pet’s most recent rabies vaccination before traveling to the EU is a “booster” rabies vaccination (rather than “primary”), you are responsible for providing all relevant rabies vaccination certificates to prove there was no lapse in coverage since the "primary" rabies vaccination. There is no wait time after receiving a “booster” vaccination, but the previous rabies vaccination must be in cluded on the health certificate.

Reminder! Rabies Vaccinations do NOT count according to EU rules if:

Your pet got the vaccination before it had a microchip; or

Your pet got the vaccination without first having its microchip scanned.

Your pet should travel with all relevant rabies vaccination certificate(s), and it is strongly recommended the microchip number is recorded on all rabies vaccination certificate(s).

Rabies vaccination for all cats and dogs is required. EU legislation specifies distemper vaccinations for dogs traveling under commercial regulations.

Tests and treatments

For unlisted countries, a serological rabies test (rabies titer determination) is mandatory for the importation of dogs, cats and ferrets.

The test can be administered no sooner than 30 days after a “primary” rabies vaccination. Dogs, cats and ferrets can enter the EU no sooner than 3 calendar months after the blood is drawn for the test. Pets entering the EU from unlisted countries must be a minimum of 7 months of age to conform to regulations.

Dogs, cats and ferrets from Switzerland or Norway are moved under the conditions of intra-union trade.

Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 Annex IV

None for cats, dogs or ferrets entering Austria. If traveling to Finland, Malta, Ireland (in cluding Northern Ireland) or Norway after entering the EU, your dog must be treated for tapeworms by an EU veterinarian 1-5 days of entry.

Health certificate and permits

Commercial vs Noncommercial

The EU has two versions of the pet health certificate: the "non-commercial" and the "commercial."

"Non-commercial" Health Certificate

You should use the "non-commercial" health certificate if you or a designated person is traveling within 5 days before or after your pets, and 5 or fewer pets are being transported per owner.

Though uncommon, you can also use the "non-commercial" for 6 or more pets traveling to the EU for specific events like competitions, exhibitions, or sporting events. Pets must be at least 6 months of age and proof of participation is required.

Both health certificate versions require a licensed veterinarian to issue (complete, sign, and date) the health certificate and then a government vet to endorse (countersign and emboss/stamp) the health certificate.

Non-Commercial Health Certificate

The "Non-Commercial" health certificate is valid for 30 days after the licensed veterinarian issues it.

A government veterinarian* must endorse the completed health certificate within 10 days of arriving in the EU.

Declaration: The final page of the EU Health Certificate contains a Declaration that must be completed and signed by the pet owner or designated person before the pet travels to the EU. The Declaration must accompany the pet and health certificate to the EU.

The certificate is valid to enter any EU Member State for 4 months from issuance or until the pet’s rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.

"Commercial" Health Certificate

You must use the "commercial" health certificate if the owner or a designated person cannot travel within 5 days of the pet, the transport in cludes 6 or more pets or the transport is for reasons of sale, adoption or transfer of ownership.

The "commercial" health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian* within 48 hours of departing the exporting country.

Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet. Austria will allow an owner to designate a representative, but not all EU Member States will allow this. Additionally, the CFIA in Canada will classify the transport as commercial if the owner is not traveling with or within 5 days of the pet.

Original, endorsed health certificates must accompany all dogs, cats and ferrets during transport.

*GOVERNMENT VETERINARIAN: an of ficial veterinarian of the competent authority of the non-EU country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals.

An import permit is not needed. For non-commercial transport, the imports will be registered in TRACES on arrival. For commercial transport, registration in TRACES should be prior to arrival.

For a successful entry at the customs control at the EU external border, the following general points should be noted:

• The traveling animals are not in tended for food production

• The animals are accompanied by the owner or an authorized person

• If the pet animals are transported separately in time from the animal owner, this transport may take place no more than 5 days before or after the animal owner's journey

• The traveling animals are not in tended to be the subject of a sale or transfer of ownership

• A maximum of 5 animals per person may be carried (exception: written proof of participation in competitions, etc. and a minimum age of 6 months)

Quarantine

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet if all requirements are met.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Austria does not publish a list of banned dog breeds.

Other restrictions. The titer test requirement (see tests) is based on the classification of the exporting country. The EU classifies countries as EU Member States and territories, Part 1 Listed, Part 2 Listed and Unlisted countries.

Part 1 Listed Countries – no titer test required

The EU will recognize Pet Passports issued in these countries: Andorra, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Martinique, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Norway and Switzerland.

Part 2 Listed Countries – no titer test required

American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Ascension Island, Azores, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Curacao, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Grenadines, Guadeloupe (St Barthelemy and French part of St Martin), Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Madera, Malaysia, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Northern Macedonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Helena, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Scotland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Al Fujairah), United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Malta), United States of America, Vanuatu, Vatican City, US Virgin Islands and Wallis and Futuna.

Unlisted Countries

All countries that are not listed above.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

Airports:

• Vienna International Airport, Vienna (IATA: VIE, ICAO: LOWW)
• Linz Airport, Linz (IATA: LNZ, ICAO: LOWL)
• Salzburg Airport, Salzburg (IATA: SZG, ICAO: LOWS)
• Innsbruck Airport, Innsbruck (IATA: INN, ICAO: LOWI)
• Graz Airport, Graz (IATA: GRZ, ICAO: LOWG)
• Klagenfurt Airport, Klagenfurt (IATA: KLU, ICAO: LOWK)

Airports listed on this destination file: VIE.

The border crossing points where these checks are carried out are the airports of Vienna-Schwechat, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof and Klagenfurt as well as the customs of fices vis-á-vis Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Entry and Re-entry of Pets

Export notes

Recommended Airport/Alternative Travel: Vienna (VIE), Salzburg (SZG)

Other less popular Airports are Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfur

Customs Broker/Destination Agent Requirements: Both Highly Recommended

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

https://cites.org/eng/parties/country-profiles/at

Other Pets (e.g., rodents, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, most birds, in vertebrates except bees/crustaceans):1. No specific health certificates required (in most cases)

• For travel/entry (non-commercial) into Austria with pets *other than dogs, cats, and ferrets*, you do not generally need a health certificate or animal passport.
• Must be accompanied by the owner (or authorised person)

• These animals should travel with the owner or a person responsible for the animal.
• No mandatory vaccinations for these other species

• Unlike dogs/cats/ferrets, *there is no EU rabies vaccination/passport requirement* for rodents, most birds (except poultry), ornamental fish, amphibians, reptiles, etc., when entering Austria with you.
• Owner responsibility for disease control

• It’s strongly recommended to check with a vet before travel to make sure the animal doesn’t pose a disease risk (e.g., bird flu for certain birds).
• Special cases may still have restrictions

• Some animals protected under species protection laws (e.g., CITES listed species) or subject to Austrian/EU import bans may require permits, documentation, or even be prohibited.
• For example, certain exotic reptiles, birds of prey, and endangered species regulated by the *Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora* may need additional paperwork/permits.

[Animal Welfare Regulations](https://www.bmluk.gv.at/en/to pics/agriculture/agriculture-in-austria/animal-production-in-austria/animal-welfare-act.html)

Austria has some of the strictest animal welfare laws in the world. The country's Animal Welfare Act of 2004 protects animals from abuse and neglect.

[See LINK](https://info.bml.gv.at/en/to pics/agriculture/agriculture-in-austria/animal-production-in-austria/animal-welfare-act.html)

Official contacts

Austrian Federal Office for Consumer Health (BAVG)Director

Dr. Anton Reinl

Mag. Michael Raumauf, LL.M., B.A. (Deputy Director)

Import Control Department (IMP)

Dr. Elke Narath

Export Permit Department (EXP)

Dr. Ulrike Vorberg

Legal Services Department (RDI)

Mag. Michael Raumauf, LL.M., B.A

BAVG Import: +43 (0) 50 555 - 25453

BAVG OFFICE: +43 (0) 50 555 - 25450

Vienna Border Inspection Post

1300 Wien - Flughafen Air Cargo Center/Stiege 10

E-Mail: import@bavg.gv.

Tel: +43 50 555 25453

Öffnungszeiten: Mo-Fr (werktags): 8:00 bis 18:00 Uhr Sa/Fe: 8:00 bis 16:00 Uhr

Website

Opening hours of the Vienna border in spection post as of 1 January 2022

Mon-Fri (weekdays): 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sat/Sun/Fe: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Linz Border Inspection Post

4063 Hörsching - Flughafen Flughafenstraße 3

E-Mail: import@bavg.gv.at

Tel.: +43 50 555 25453

Öffnungszeiten: Ausschließlich nach Voranmeldung Mo-Fr (werktags): 8:00 bis 16:00 Uhr WebsiteOpening hours of the border in spection post Linz as of 1 January 2022

By appointment only

Mon-Fri (weekdays): 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.G Office: +43 (0) 50 555 - 25450

Current as of February 2025

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2026-03-10.

Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.

Other destinations: Albania · Andorra · Belarus · all destinations