Germany

Bringing your pet dog or cat to Germany.

Europe · Last verified: 24 August 2026

Official Guidance

Entry Requirements

  • Dogs and cats

    The EU pet travel rules apply to the non-commercial movement of dogs and cats. Other species are covered by different import rules.

  • Travelling with the owner

    The movement must be non-commercial. The pet must travel with its owner, or with an authorised person within five days of the owner's travel.

  • Maximum of five pets

    A maximum of five pets may travel per person. More than five animals is treated as a commercial movement and follows a different, stricter set of rules, unless travelling to a registered competition, exhibition or sporting event.

  • Restricted dogs

    Germany prohibits the import or bringing into the country of Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers, as well as their crossbreeds, subject to limited legal exceptions. Individual federal states may apply further rules, so check the state of arrival before travelling.Learn more

Official Sources

European Commission — Dogs and catsEU rules for non-commercial pet movementGerman Federal Ministry — Pet entry regulationOfficial German guidance for pet entry and travelEuropean Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU countryNon-EU origin pet travel rulesEuropean Commission — EU countries' specific informationCountry-specific guidance, including Germany

Last verified: 24 August 2026. Entry rules can change — confirm with the official authorities before you travel.

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