Iceland

Iceland does not apply the EU pet travel rules to animals entering the country. Dog and cat entry is handled as an import by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST), under Icelandic import rules with their own permit, certificate, testing and quarantine conditions.

Every dog and cat entering Iceland needs an import permit issued by MAST before the animal travels. The permit is applied for by the importer using the MAST application for the relevant species and country category, and MAST advises submitting the application at least 30 days before the planned import. A permit fee applies and the permit is valid for one year from the date of issue.

Dogs and cats may normally only be imported from an approved exporting country. The animal must have remained in an approved exporting country for the last 6 months before importation (or since birth), or in another exporting country in the same rabies category.

MAST divides approved exporting countries into Category 1 (rabies-free) and Category 2 (rabies present but well controlled). The health conditions and timing differ between the two categories, and the country list is revised twice a year by MAST.

Every dog and cat arriving in Iceland is regarded as an import, regardless of how long the trip lasts, and must complete a minimum of 14 days of quarantine at one of the two approved quarantine stations. A two-week holiday with a dog or cat therefore triggers the full import conditions and quarantine, so Iceland is not a normal short-stay pet destination.

Quarantine places must be booked in advance with the station: each station admits animals within set intake periods roughly three weeks apart, and MAST may extend quarantine if an infectious disease is suspected. Home quarantine is only possible for certified assistance and service dogs, applied for well before import.

Before applying, confirm that the dog's breed is authorised for import. MAST does not permit the import of wolf-dog hybrids, which are prohibited for at least 10 generations. The following breeds and their cross-breeds are prohibited for at least 5 generations: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Presa Canario and Boerboel. MAST may also refuse other dogs it considers to present a comparable risk.