Switzerland

Switzerland is not an EU Member State, but it applies the EU pet travel rules for the non-commercial movement of dogs and cats through its own Ordinance on the Import, Transit and Export of Pet Animals (IETPO). The animal must travel with its owner or an authorised person and must not be moved for sale or a change of ownership.

Pets should travel with their owner. If an authorised person travels with the pet instead, the owner's own journey must take place within five days before or after the pet's journey.

Non-commercial pet travel is normally limited to a maximum of five dogs or cats. More than five may travel under the non-commercial rules only for competitions, exhibitions, sporting events or related training.

Switzerland prohibits the importation of dogs with docked tails or cropped ears, and such dogs are refused entry at the border. Limited exceptions exist for owners resident abroad travelling to Switzerland temporarily and for people relocating permanently to Switzerland; both must be declared to customs in advance.

Animals purchased abroad and imported into Switzerland are exempt from customs duty but subject to 8.1% import VAT on their value. If a dog is kept in Switzerland, it must also be registered in the national Amicus database with the municipality, and the cantonal dog tax applies.