Pet import requirements for Bulgaria
What Bulgaria asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2025-11-28 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2025-11-10. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
Bulgaria at a glance
| Requirement | For Bulgaria |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | ISO compatible 11784/11785 (or any other if owner provides microchip reader) Must be implanted prior or not later than last rabies vaccine |
| Rabies | Rabies - placed more than 21 days prior to arrival and not more than 12 months, Some Producers may reqire 30 days waiting period |
| Rabies antibody test Required | For non-approved countries a RNATT test from approved laboratory is required and 3 months waiting time |
| Import permit Not required | Not required |
| Quarantine | No approved quarantine in Bulgaria |
| Minimum age to travel | 3 months and 21 days after rabies vaccine |
| EU rules that also apply | This destination is grouped with the European Union; confirm whether EU pet-movement rules apply |
| Customs clearance | Clearance cannot be provided without Agent or Broker |
| Agent at destination | Clearance cannot be provided without Agent or Broker |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
Bulgaria, of ficially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. Typical air gateways on file in clude SOF and VAR. Clearance cannot be provided without Agent or Broker.
Import requirements
3 months and 21 days after rabies vaccine.
Dogs and cats:
Third countries to EU - Health certificate – EU form 577/2013 (Annex I and IV)
Pet passport (Rabies certificate)
Microchip implanted prior or not later than last rabies vaccine
Rabies vaccine placed more than 21 days prior to arrival and not more than 12 months
RNATT test (serological test for rabies) for non listed countries in 577/2013 and 3 months passed after RNATT test
Pet Birds (less than 5):
Health certificate – EU form for import of certain birds (92/65)
Declaration of the owner
CITES export permit (if required)
CITES import permit (if required)
more than 5: TRACES
Clearance cannot be provided and completed without Agent or Broker. Customs declaration has to be submitted electronically by registered and approved company. CHED-A – vet import into EU must be submitted electronically by registered and approved company (unless pass via other EU country that make it in transit- 1st BIP)
All papers better to be coordinated with agent to make fast and smooth clearance.
Weekend and holidays clearance possible only, if coordinated with agent in advance and all customs taxes prepaid.
Dogs and cats:
Third countries to EU -Health certificate – EU form 577/2014 (Annex I and IV)
Pet passport (Rabies certificate)
Microchip implanted prior or not later than last rabies vaccine
Rabies vaccine placed more than 21 days prior arrival and not more than 12 months
RNATT test (serological test for rabies) for non listed countries in 577/2014 and 3 months passed after RNATT test
Required EU import health certificate according to REGULATION (EU) 2021/403
Depends on the animal moved.
Identification and microchip
ISO compatible 11784/11785 (or any other if owner provides microchip reader)
Must be implanted prior or not later than last rabies vaccine.
Rabies and vaccinations
Rabies - placed more than 21 days prior to arrival and not more than 12 months, Some Producers may reqire 30 days waiting period.
Rabies - placed more than 21 days prior to arrival and not more than 12 months
Tests and treatments
For non-approved countries a RNATT test from approved laboratory is required and 3 months waiting time.
For pets - not required
Health certificate and permits
Mandatory, noncommercial or commercial form
Not required
All forms must comply to present EU requirements.
Quarantine
No approved quarantine in Bulgaria.
Restrictions and banned breeds
Commercial Birds can not be imported from unapproved countries.
No quarantine available.
Customs, agents, and airports
Clearance cannot be provided without Agent or Broker. Customs declaration has to be submitted electronically.
Clearance cannot be provided without Agent or Broker. Customs declaration has to be submitted electronically and the veterinarian entry CHED-A form minimum 4 hours prior landing.
Best Airport: Sofia (SOF)
Airports listed on this destination file: SOF, VAR.
CHED-A – vet import into EU must be submitted electronically (unless pass via other EU country that make it in transit- 1st BIP) minimum 4 hours prior landing.
All papers better to be coordinated with agent to make fast and smooth clearance.
Clearance cannot be provided and completed without Agent or Broker. Customs declaration has to be submitted electronically by registered and approved company. CHED-A – vet import into EU must be submitted electronically by registered and approved company (unless pass via other EU country that make it in transit- 1st BIP)
All papers better to be coordinated with agent to make fast and smooth clearance.
Weekend and holidays clearance possible only, if coordinated with agent in advance and all customs taxes prepaid.
Export notes
EU Pet Passport and health certificate. To some countries tests or permits are required.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
Yes, allowed according to the law.
Import clearance of unaccompanied pets from 3rd countries is quite complicated procedure and pass quite slow and hard with a lot of troubles. Customs and vets as general do not speak English and the foreign owners may face a language barrier, with unable to make the clearance by the mselves.
EU Pet Passport and health certificate. To some countries tests or permits are required.
Official contacts
Bulgarian Food and Safety Agency of Bulgaria
15a Pencho Slaveikov Boulevard
Sofia 1606, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 2 915-9820
Fax:+359 2 954-9593
http://www.babh.government.bg/en/
Regional Food and Safety Directorate in Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria
kv.Banishora, bl. 39
Tel. +359 2 833-4111
Contact: Dr. Albena Mladenova
Current as of October 2024
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 2025-11-28.
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 · Austria · all destinations
Questions about moving a pet to Bulgaria
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Bulgaria?
ISO compatible 11784/11785 (or any other if owner provides microchip reader) Must be implanted prior or not later than last rabies vaccine
From the country profile, last verified 2025-11-28.
What rabies vaccination does Bulgaria require?
Rabies - placed more than 21 days prior to arrival and not more than 12 months, Some Producers may reqire 30 days waiting period
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for Bulgaria?
For non-approved countries a RNATT test from approved laboratory is required and 3 months waiting time
A titer test is the single most common reason a move takes months rather than weeks, because the waiting period runs from the blood draw.
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Bulgaria?
Not required
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Bulgaria?
No approved quarantine in Bulgaria