Pet import requirements for Slovenia

Slovenia at a glance

The detail

A country in southern Central Europe. Typical air gateways on file in clude LJU. A destination agent is not typically required for Slovenia.

Import requirements

Puppies and kittens and ferrets who are either under 12 weeks of age and not vaccinated for rabies, or between 12 and 16 weeks of age, vaccinated for rabies but cannot meet the 21 day wait requirement, are permitted to enter only those EU Member States that allow the same exception. SLOVENIA DOESW NOT ALLOW THAT EXEPTION!

Countries other than EU – 12 weeks and 21 days (minimum age for rabies vaccination at 12 weeks and 21 days for validity of vaccination).

Minimum age for entering Slovenia from unlisted (high rabies) countries is 7 months of age (minimum age for rabies vaccination at 12 weeks and 30 days for sampling + 3 months waiting before entry to the EU).

Import via approved BCPs! Prenotification in TRACES (CHED-A). animal welfare registered transporter, establishment of origin registered by CA in country of origin.

If your pet is traveling from the United States, the veterinarian must be accredited by the USDA and the health certificate must be endorsed by the State USDA office unless the certificate is completed by a military Veterinary Corps Officer or GS-0701 series civilian government veterinarian employed by the military.

All dogs, cats and ferrets must have proof of a current valid rabies vaccination administration after a microchip was implanted.

Booster vaccinations are required to be administrated before the validity of previous vaccination expires.

No waiting period if the primary vaccination was administered after a microchip was implanted and the booster was given before the previous one had expired. You are responsible for providing all relevant rabies vaccination certificates to prove there was no lapse in coverage since the "primary" rabies vaccination. A certified copy of the identification and vaccination details of the animals concerned shall be attached to the certificate.

The requirements for the validity of rabies vaccination are determined in Regulation 576/2013, annex III:

• the animal is vaccinated against rabies with an appropriate vaccine,

• the vaccination is carried out by an authorized veterinarian,

• the animal is at least 12 weeks old on the date of vaccination,

• the date of vaccination shall be in dicated by the of ficial veterinarian in the appropriate part of the identification document (health certificate),

• the animal must have been validly identified prior to vaccination, as evidenced by the animal identification document.

The period of validity of the vaccination shall begin at the end of a period of at least 21 days after the completion of the primary rabies vaccination and shall be valid until the date in dicated in the relevant part of the identification document by the authorized veterinarian or of ficial veterinarian in accordance with the legislation. If the revaccination is not carried out within the period of validity of the previous vaccination, it shall be considered as the primary vaccination.

It is important that the animal's rabies vaccination does not expire during travel. If this happens, the animal must be vaccinated in time. If the date of vaccination is missed, the vaccination must be given again and is considered as the primary vaccination and becomes valid after 21 days.

For high risk countries - Rabies blood test required at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. At least three months must elapse between the blood test and entry into the country.

FOR HIGH RISK COUNTRIES not listed in Annex II in regulation 577/2013 ([Group 3](https://www.gov.si/en/to pics/travelling-or-returning-with-a-dog-cat-or-ferret-to-slovenia-from-third-countries/)): The blood sample required for the titration test shall be taken by an authorized veterinarian at least 30 days from the date of the rabies vaccination and: at least 3 months before the date of non-commercial movement from or transit through certain territories or to third countries.

The titration test must be performed in an approved laboratory. The test result must be at least 0,5 IU/ml and must be confirmed in the appropriate identification document. The animal has to be accompanied by a veterinary certificate as identification document, a certified copy of the of ficial report of the approved laboratory on the test results must be attached to the certificate. The titration test doesn't need to be repeated once a satisfactory result (at least 0,5 IU/ml) has been obtained, provided that the animal has been regularly vaccinated during the period of validity of the previous rabies vaccination.

The animal must be identified in such a way as to establish an unambiguous link between the animal, its identification document, and its owner. For dogs, cats, and ferrets, it is compulsory to be marked with in jectable transponders, which was implanted by a veterinarian, and which fulfils the technical requirements referred to in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013: (a) comply with ISO Standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology; and (b) be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO Standard 11785. They must be marked before getting rabies vaccinations The date of in sertion of the transponder must be in dicated in the animal's identification document. If the transponder has not been in serted in the EU, it is advisable to check in the third country or territory whether it meets the technical requirements. If the transponder does not comply with the requirements, the owner or the operator responsible for the consignment must provide the necessary means to read the transponder whenever the marking and identity of the animal is checked.

If your pet is traveling from the United States, the veterinarian must be accredited by the USDA and the health certificate must be endorsed by the State USDA office.

Definition of non-commercial is defined in article 4 (paragraph 14), Regulation 2016/429 (animal health law) – ‘non–commercial movement’ means any movement of a pet animal accompanying its owner and which (a) does not have as its aim either the sale of or another form of transfer of ownership of the pet animal concerned; and (b) is part of the movement of the pet owner: (i) either under his direct responsibility; or (ii) under the responsibility of an authorized person, in cases where the pet animal is physically separated from the pet owner during travel (within 5 days, eg. The pet and the owner cannot travel in the same plane);

Commercial is everything that does not comply with definition of non-commercial:

• when the owner and pet don’t travel within 5 days of each other will be treated as commercial,
• more than 5 animals,
• change of ownership.

All animals entering from peninsular Malaysia that had contact with pigs in at least 60 days prior to export and/or have lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been reported.

In the Nipah case your pet will need to undergo IgG capture ELISA test in a licensed laboratory within 10 days of export.

Cats may enter Slovenia 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.

Commission decision 2006/146

If you are travelling from a third country, crossing EU Member States or if the country of destination is an EU Member State, it is advisable to check with the competent authority of that country for any additional conditions.

We advise that the owner contacts the competent authority of every country they intend to cross/travel through.

Identification and microchip

The animal must be identified in such a way as to establish an unambiguous link between the animal, its identification document, and its owner. For dogs, cats, and ferrets, it is compulsory to be marked with transponders, that must: (a) comply with ISO Standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology; and (b) be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO Standard 11785, or a clearly legible mark tattooed before 3 July 2011. They must be marked before getting rabies vaccinations. The date of in sertion of the transponder or tattoo must be in dicated in the animal's identification document. If the transponder has not been in serted in the EU, it is advisable to check in the third country or territory whether it meets the technical requirements. If the transponder does not comply with the requirements, the owner or the authorized person must provide the necessary means to read the transponder whenever the marking and identity of the animal is checked.

Rabies and vaccinations

All dogs, cats and ferrets must have proof of a current valid rabies vaccination administration after a microchip was implanted.

Booster vaccinations are required to be administrated before the validity of previous vaccination expires.

No waiting period if the primary vaccination was administered after a microchip was implanted and the booster was given before the previous one had expired. The waiting period of 21 days is required after primary vaccination. You are responsible for providing all relevant rabies vaccination certificates to prove there was no lapse in coverage since the "primary" rabies vaccination. A certified copy of the identification and vaccination details of the animals concerned shall be attached to the certificate.

The requirements for the validity of rabies vaccination are determined in Regulation 576/2013, annex III:

• the animal is vaccinated against rabies with an appropriate vaccine,

• the vaccination is carried out by an authorized veterinarian,

• the animal is at least 12 weeks old on the date of vaccination,

• the date of vaccination shall be in dicated by the of ficial veterinarian in the appropriate part of the identification document (health certificate),

• the animal must have been validly identified prior to vaccination, as evidenced by the animal identification document.

The period of validity of the vaccination shall begin at the end of a period of at least 21 days after the completion of the primary rabies vaccination and shall be valid until the date in dicated in the relevant part of the identification document by the authorized veterinarian or of ficial veterinarian in accordance with the legislation. If the revaccination is not carried out within the period of validity of the previous vaccination, it shall be considered as the primary vaccination.

It is important that the animal's rabies vaccination does not expire during travel. If this happens, the animal must be vaccinated in time. If the date of vaccination is missed, the vaccination must be given again and is considered as the primary vaccination and becomes valid after 21 days.

Valid rabies vaccination required at least 21 days prior to entry into Slovenia.

Tests and treatments

Rabies blood test required at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. At least three months must elapse between the blood test and entry into the country.

FOR HIGH RISK COUNTRIES not listed in Annex II in regulation 577/2013 ([Group 3](https://www.gov.si/en/to pics/travelling-or-returning-with-a-dog-cat-or-ferret-to-slovenia-from-third-countries/)): The blood sample required for the titration test shall be taken by an authorized veterinarian at least 30 days from the date of the rabies vaccination and: at least 3 months before the date of non-commercial movement from or transit through certain territories or to third countries, The titration test must be performed in an approved laboratory. The test result must be at least 0,5 IU/ml and must be confirmed in the appropriate identification document. The animal has to be accompanied by a veterinary certificate as an identification document, a certified copy of the of ficial report of the approved laboratory on the test results must be attached to the certificate. The titration test doesn't need to be repeated once a satisfactory result (at least 0,5 IU/ml) has been obtained, provided that the animal has been regularly vaccinated during the period of validity of the previous rabies vaccination.

Derogation from the titration test condition

No derogation from the titration test condition for entry into the EU is allowed.

Titration test is not required if country of dispatch is listed in Annex II of Regulation 577/2013, and the following conditions are met:

• only transiting through non listed territory or third country and
• the animal has not been in contact with animals of species susceptible to rabies during transit, and
• it has been secured in a means of transport or within the perimeter of an in ternational airport, and
• the animal is accompanied by a signed declaration by the owner certifying that he has physically secured the animal during transport and by a veterinary certificate in the language of the Member State of entry and in English.

The declaration of in surance of the animal during transport must be presented by the owner or the authorized person at the time of the issue of the veterinary certificate and at the time of the in spection of the animal at the point of entry by the competent authority, (part 2, annex I, Regulation 577/2013).

It is not mandatory for animals to be dewormed before entering Slovenia, but it is highly recommended. It is also very important to protect your animals from tick-borne diseases with tick preventatives (anti-ectoparasitics). Slovenia is unfortunately densely populated with ticks.

Health certificate and permits

There are two types of Health Certificates regarding the nature of movement (non-commercial and import).

"Non-Commercial" health certificate (travel with your pet) is valid for 10 days from the date of issue. Model is determined in the Annex IV, Part I of the Regulation 577/2013. It can be issued by an of ficial veterinarian (OV). It can also be issued by authorized veterinarian and then endorsed by OV.

"Commercial / Import health certificate" (consult competent authority (CA)) must be issued by an OV of the exporting country’s governing authority within 48 hours of Exporting. Model certificate is in Chapter 38, Annex II, Regulation 2021/403.

The health certificate is a document that ensures compliance with one or more animal health and welfare requirements. It is used as an identification document for entry of animals into EU from third countries or territories.

Not needed.

• Health certificate

• Noncommercial movement statement

• Commercial movement (same as commercial)

• Statement of ownership

• Passport

Quarantine

There will be no quarantine if all of the health and import requirements are met.

Non-compliance with any of the requirements above will result rejection of entry into Slovenia, euthanasia or in quarantine at the owners’ expense. The location and duration of quarantine is decided by the of ficial veterinarian.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Non vaccinated and non-microchipped pets cannot enter Slovenia. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas. If there is a history (or suspicion of it) of aggressive behavior to wards other animals or people, then dogs must wear a muzzle as well.

No restrictions regarding dog breeds. Owner can be punished by law, if animals are not treated appropriately (not provided with shade, fresh and clean water…).

Customs, agents, and airports

Not Required. In the case of import of pets, the check at the BCP and the customs require a freight forwarder. In the event that they arrive at the BCP and do not meet the conditions, customs require a forwarder. If the conditions were met after entry - they need a freight forwarder.

A destination agent is not typically required for Slovenia.

Accompanied Pets entering Slovenia from a non-EU country must enter via designated traveler’s point of entry. We advise travelers to make contact with competent authority of TPE before travel. But only for a non-commercial movement!From third countries in Group 1: rules that apply are equivalent in content and effect to those of the EU. Entry can be made at any border crossing point in the EU. Where appropriate, the competent authority will carry out documentary and identity checks on pet animals. The owner or authorized person must present the identification document of the pet animal and allow its verification at the request of the authority responsible for verification.

From third countries in Groups 2 and 3: entry is only allowed through specific border crossing points, known as Travellers' points of entry, where the competent authority checks the documents and identity of the pet animals. Travelers’ point of entry is in the EU country where the owner enters the EU territory with the animal from a third country. It is the responsibility of the owner or authorized person to contact the competent authority at the Travellers’ point of entry and to present the pet's identification document to the competent authority and to allow the pet to be checked.

The exceptions are registered military or tracking and rescue dogs, which can enter the EU from these countries at any border crossing point, provided that the owner or an authorized person:

• has applied for a permit in advance and such permit has been granted by the Member State;
• and contacts the competent authority present at the point of entry and presents the pet's identification document and allows its verification.

Registered military or tracking and rescue dogs are allowed to enter Slovenia if:

• the dog meets the conditions for non-commercial movement from the third country concerned.
• the owner or authorized person has previously applied to the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection by means of an application, which must contain at least:
• details of the owner or authorized person: name, surname, permanent address, telephone number, e-mail address;
• the dog's in formation: transponder number, identification document number, date of validity of the rabies vaccination;
• the registration details of the dog;
• the reason for the authorization and the place of entry.

The regional office of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection shall specify in the permit issued the place where compliance with the conditions for non-commercial movement shall be verified.

Airport:

• Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, Ljubljana (IATA: LJU, ICAO: LJLJ)

Airports listed on this destination file: LJU.

Customs Clearance Rules

Export notes

Export Requirements

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

[Travelling with pet birds within the European Union or returning to Slovenia from third countries](https://www.gov.si/en/to pics/travelling-with-pet-birds-within-the-european-union-or-returning-to-slovenia-from-third-countries/)

Travelling with rabbits, rodents and certain other species of pet animals within the European Union or returning from third countries

Slovenia Animal Welfare Regulations

No

Official contacts

(primarily)

Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety,

International Affairs Division

Dunajska cesta 22

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Slovenia

Tel: +386 1 300-1300

E-mail: gp.uvhvvr@gov.si

Website

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Dunajska 22

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 478-9000

Email: gp.mkgp@gov.si

Website

Gašper Nađ

*consultant who Updated Slovenia Country Profile*

Gasper.Nad@gov.si

*from International Affairs Divisi on Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food safety, Veterinary sector and Plant protection

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food*

Dunajska cesta 22, SI – 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija

T: +386 (0)1 300 13 31

Website www.uvhvvr.gov.si

Current as of July 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 2025-08-13.

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