Moving to Germany with a Pet:
The 2025 Survival Checklist
So, you’re making the big move to Germany. Between visa paperwork and apartment hunting, your biggest worry isn’t the furniture — it’s the four-legged family member coming with you.
I’ve been through the expat pet panic myself. German bureaucracy has its reputation for a reason, and when it comes to animal health, they don’t mess around. To save you from a nightmare at the airport, here’s the essential, human-to-human checklist for relocating your pet to Germany in 2025.
1. The “Golden Rule”: Microchip FIRST, Vaccine SECOND
This is the mistake that breaks hearts — and drains bank accounts.
In the eyes of German customs (Zoll), a rabies vaccination does not exist unless it is linked to a microchip.
- Check The law: Your pet must have an ISO-compliant, 15-digit microchip (ISO 11784/11785) implanted before receiving a rabies vaccination.¹²
- Warning The trap: If your vet gives the rabies shot on Monday and implants the microchip on Tuesday, Germany considers that vaccination invalid. You’ll have to re-vaccinate and restart the waiting period from zero.
- Star Pro tip: Ask your vet to scan the microchip and record the number on the vaccination certificate immediately.
2. The 21-Day Waiting Period
You can’t just jab and go.
After the rabies vaccine is administered (and only after the microchip is in place), you must wait at least 21 full days before entering Germany.¹
This waiting period is non-negotiable.
Arrive even one day early, and your pet may face quarantine or be sent back at your expense.³⁶
3. The “15-Week Rule”
This rule catches many new pet owners off guard.
Germany does not allow puppies or kittens under 15 weeks old to enter from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and other EU-listed (low-rabies-risk) countries.¹⁴⁷
The Math:
- 💉 Minimum rabies vaccination age: 12 weeks
- ⏳ Mandatory waiting period: 21 days
- = 15 weeks minimum age at travel
There are no exceptions for young animals — not for adoption cases, emotional reasons, or “too cute to stay behind.” If you’re moving with a puppy or kitten, your travel date must be planned around that 15-week birthday.
Important note on high-risk rabies countries:
Pets entering Germany from non-listed (high-risk) countries must complete additional steps:
- Rabies vaccination
- Rabies antibody blood test (≥30 days later)
- A 3-month waiting period after the blood draw
In practice, this usually means pets cannot enter Germany until they are around 7 months old or older.⁴⁷
4. Paperwork: The EU Health Certificate (Annex IV)
If you’re arriving from a non-EU country (such as the US, UK, or Canada), you’ll need an EU Annex IV Animal Health Certificate.¹³
This certificate must:
- Be issued by your private veterinarian
- Be endorsed by an official government veterinarian (USDA in the US, CFIA in Canada, APHA in the UK)
- Be signed within 10 days of entry into Germany
It feels like a race against time — so book your international health certificate appointment well in advance.
5. “Non-Commercial” vs. “Commercial” Travel
To keep the process simple (and affordable), your pet must travel within 5 days before or after your own flight.¹
This classifies the move as non-commercial. If the gap is longer, the transport is legally considered commercial, triggering significantly more paperwork, higher costs, and stricter controls.
6. Important Additional Restrictions
Breed restrictions
Germany enforces strict dog-breed regulations under both federal and state-level (Bundesland) laws.
Commonly restricted or banned breeds include:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
Rules vary by state, and some German states prohibit import entirely. Each state (Bundesland) has its own "List of Dangerous Dogs". Always check the specific laws of your destination state before traveling.⁵⁸
Maximum number of pets
For non-commercial travel, you may bring up to five pets per person.¹
🏠 A Note from the Sofa
I know this feels like a lot. I spent my own move staring at these rules until my eyes blurred. But once you clear the airport and see your dog sniffing grass in a Berlin park — or your cat curling up in a sunbeam in a Frankfurt apartment — it will be worth it.
Germany is an incredibly pet-friendly country once you're inside the fortress. We're here to help you get through the gates.
Moving soon?
Check our Directory of English-Speaking Vets→📚 Official EU & German Sources (Footnotes)
- European Commission – Travelling with Pets (Non-Commercial Movement)
- Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 – Core EU pet movement law
- Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 – Technical implementation rules
- European Commission – Rabies & Entry Requirements
- German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
- German Customs (Zoll) – Importing Animals
- European Commission – Approved (Low-Risk) & Non-Approved Countries
- German Breed-Specific Legislation (State-Level Overview)