Pet Migration To Austria: What's The Policy?

Austria is a pet-friendly country with clear and straightforward pet ownership laws. The country has a Protections of Animals Act, which prioritises animal rights and requires owners to carry a muzzle and a leash for their pets. When it comes to migrating pets to Austria, there are specific rules and restrictions that need to be followed. This includes having the necessary documentation, such as health certificates and passports, as well as ensuring that your pet meets the vaccination and microchipping requirements. It is important to note that only certain border crossings allow pets to enter the country. Additionally, there are restrictions on the types of pets that can be brought into Austria, with some dangerous animals and exotic species being banned. Overall, while it may be a complex process, it is possible to migrate your pets to Austria as long as you carefully follow the necessary procedures.

Microchipping requirements

When bringing pets into Austria, there are several microchipping requirements that must be met. Here is a detailed overview:

• All dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Austria must be microchipped. This is a compulsory requirement for these specific types of pets.
• The microchip must comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. It should be a 15-digit pet microchip, adhering to ISO 11784/11785 standards.
• The microchip should be implanted by a qualified individual, such as a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse.
• You will receive documentation regarding the microchip manufacturer and instructions on registering your pet's information in the manufacturer's database.
• If your pet already has a microchip that does not have 15 digits, you can bring your own microchip scanner to Austria.
• An identification tattoo is acceptable if it was given before July 3, 2011, is clearly visible, and your pet received its rabies vaccination after the tattoo was applied. All rabies vaccinations must be up-to-date before the previous vaccination expires.
• The microchip must be implanted before administering the rabies vaccine.
• The microchip code or tattoo must be registered in the Pet Passport.
• Veterinary clinics worldwide provide microchipping services, with prices in Europe ranging from €25 to €100. Animal shelters may also offer free microchipping services.

Additional Requirements:

In addition to microchipping, there are several other requirements to keep in mind:

• All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip implantation.
• If entering from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be given no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria.
• There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations if the previous vaccination was given after microchip implantation and the booster was given before the previous vaccination expired.
• Austria honors the 3-year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but it should be administered as a booster and not as a primary vaccination.
• Puppies and kittens under 12 weeks of age cannot be vaccinated for rabies and are not permitted to enter Austria until they are fully vaccinated.
• The minimum age for entering Austria from high-rabies countries is 7 months for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• All pets entering Austria must have an original Rabies Certificate signed by a veterinarian.

Please note that these requirements may change over time, and it is always a good idea to consult official sources and seek veterinarian advice for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Rabies vaccination rules

The rules regarding rabies vaccination for pets entering Austria are as follows:

• All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination. This vaccination must be administered after the pet has been microchipped.
• If your pet is entering Austria from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria.
• There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations, provided that the previous vaccination was administered after microchipping and the booster vaccination was given before the previous vaccination had expired.
• Austria honors the 3-year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but this should only be administered as a booster, not a primary vaccination.
• If your pet is entering Austria from an Unlisted Third Country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the rabies vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test.
• If your pet is entering Austria from an Unlisted Third Country or has visited an Unlisted Third Country in the previous 4 months, it must have a rabies titer test (FAVN) administered by a veterinarian. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories, and the pet can enter Austria no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn to avoid quarantine.
• Puppies and kittens must not be vaccinated for rabies until they reach 12 weeks of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Austria until they are fully vaccinated for rabies. The minimum age of import from EU Member States and rabies-controlled countries is 15 weeks, and the minimum age for entering Austria from high-rabies countries is 7 months.
• Rabies vaccinations must not be administered before 12 weeks of age. There is a 21-day wait for puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age arriving from EU Member States or rabies-controlled countries.
• Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and rabbits do not need rabies vaccinations but should have a health certificate to enter Austria.

Border crossing points

When travelling with pets, it is important to be aware of the relevant border control posts and border inspection posts (BIP). The following Austrian cities are the only border crossings in Austria where pets can be brought into the country: Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, and Klagenfurt.

If entering Austria by air from a non-EU country, pets must enter through a BIP at the international airports in Linz or Vienna. For those entering Austria from an EU Member State, the following airports are available: Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, and Klagenfurt.

It is important to note that a border veterinary service is not available at every customs office. For air travel, for example, veterinary services are only provided at the airports of Vienna and Linz. Therefore, travellers may need to move to an appropriate customs office if their chosen airport does not have a border veterinary service.

When entering Austria with pets, it is mandatory to declare them at the customs office. This involves presenting the necessary documentation, such as the animal health certificate, pet passport, and any other required papers. The "red channel" exit, designated for travellers importing goods, must be used when declaring pets.

Health certificates

The type of health certificate you need to bring your pet into Austria depends on whether your pet's transport is commercial or non-commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport

Non-commercial transport applies if:

• The pet owner or a legal representative of the owner is travelling with or within 5 days of the pet.
• The transport does not involve the purchase, sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of the pet.
• The pet owner or legal representative of the pet owner is travelling with five pets or less unless proof of participation in a show or competition is available for pets over 6 months of age.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU pet health certificate for Austria. A government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country which is responsible for the import and export of live animals must endorse the certificate within 10 days of arrival.

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of 5 or fewer dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Commercial Transport

Commercial transport applies if:

• The owner or legal representative of the owner is not travelling with or within 5 days of the pet.
• The purpose of the transport involves a sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of the pet.
• The pet owner or legal representative of the pet owner is travelling with more than five pets and proof of participation in a show or competition is not available.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU pet health certificate. The certificate must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel by a government veterinarian who represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. Official Pet Passports will be accepted from certain countries.

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of 5 or fewer dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

Your pet must enter Austria at an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Linz or Vienna. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival.

Entering Austria from a Non-EU Country

If you are moving from a non-EU country, you’ll need a veterinary export certificate written in English if German is not possible. The health certificates will verify that your pet has had all its vaccinations within a year before arriving in Austria. In addition, you’ll need an International Health Certificate from your vet before you leave.

Entering Austria from the UK

If you are planning to travel to Austria from the United Kingdom, a titer test will not be required; however, UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted. A different health certificate will be required.

Quarantine rules

To avoid quarantine, pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) must be at least seven months old when entering Austria. If your pet is younger than seven months, different rules apply depending on where you are travelling from. If you are travelling from another EU member state or a rabies-controlled country, your pet must be at least 15 weeks old. If you are travelling from a high-rabies country, your pet must be at least seven months old.

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination, administered after a microchip was implanted. If your pet is entering Austria from a listed third country, the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria. If your pet is entering Austria from an unlisted third country or has visited an unlisted third country in the previous four months, your pet must have a rabies titer test (FAVN) administered by your veterinarian. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories, and your pet can enter Austria no sooner than three calendar months after the date the blood was drawn.

If you are entering Austria from a non-EU country, you will need a veterinary export certificate written in English or German. This will verify that your pet has had all its vaccinations within the year before arriving in Austria. You will also need an International Health Certificate from your vet before you leave.

There is no restriction on the number of pets you can bring into Austria. However, if you are travelling with six or more cats, dogs, or ferrets, they must be at least six months old and attending a competition or show to be transported under non-commercial regulations. Otherwise, you will need to use commercial transport.

Frequently asked questions