Bringing Your Pit Bull To Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria is a relatively pet-friendly country, with pets being common and well-loved. All modes of public transport allow dogs, and there are very few animals that are banned as pets. However, if you are planning to bring your pit bull to Austria, you may encounter some challenges due to breed-specific legislation and restrictions. It's important to be aware of the specific regulations and requirements for importing a dog into Austria, especially for breeds that are considered aggressive or dangerous.

Microchipping and health certificates

To bring your pit bull to Austria, you will need to ensure that you have the correct microchipping and health certificates.

Firstly, your dog must have a microchip that is ISO 11784/11785 compliant and 15-digits long. This should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, and you should receive documentation regarding the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your dog's information in the manufacturer's database. If your dog already has a microchip that does not meet these requirements, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

If your dog has an identification tattoo that was given before 3 July 2011, this remains valid, as long as it is clearly visible, your dog was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and all rabies vaccinations have been administered before the previous ones expired.

Your dog must be vaccinated for rabies after the microchip is implanted. If your dog 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, as long as the previous vaccination was administered after the microchip was implanted, and the booster vaccination was administered before the previous vaccination expired.

If your dog 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. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories, and your dog can enter Austria no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn to avoid quarantine.

Tapeworm treatment is not required when entering Austria, but it is recommended when travelling internationally.

The type of EU pet health certificate you need depends on whether your dog's transport is commercial or non-commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport requirements:

• 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 fewer 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 valid for transports of 5 or fewer dogs, cats, or ferrets.
• 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.

Commercial Transport requirements:

• 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 valid for transports of 5 or fewer dogs, cats, or ferrets.
• Your dog 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.
• All dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.

If you are travelling with 6 or more dogs, they must be over 6 months old and attending or training for a competition, show, or sporting event to be transported under non-commercial regulations. Otherwise, you will need to meet the requirements for commercial transport.

Please note that some sources state that there are restrictions on bringing pit bulls into Austria.

Border crossings

When bringing your pit bull to Austria, there are several border crossings to be aware of. These include Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, and Klagenfurt. These are the only border crossings in Austria where you can bring pets into the country.

When entering Austria with your pet, you must pass through customs clearance at one of these border crossings. It is important to have all the necessary documents ready, including proof of employment and your pet's passport or health certificate. Your pet must also be at least seven months old, unless you are travelling from another EU country.

Additionally, your pit bull must have the necessary microchipping and vaccinations in place. All pets entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination, administered after the microchip was implanted. The microchip should be ISO 11784/11785 compliant with 15 digits, and the microchip information must be registered with the manufacturer.

If you are travelling by air, it is important to note that a border veterinary service is only available at the airports of Vienna and Linz. Therefore, you may need to move to an appropriate customs office if arriving at a different airport.

Overall, bringing your pit bull to Austria requires careful planning and adherence to the country's pet importation rules and border crossing requirements.

Transporting your pit bull

Firstly, it is important to note that Austria does not publish a list of banned dog breeds. However, according to PetRelocation, owners of pit bulls may encounter various restrictions when entering Austria.

• Check with the relevant authorities: Before planning your travel to Austria, it is highly recommended to check with the relevant authorities in Austria to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information on pet travel restrictions and requirements.
• Microchipping: Ensure that your pit bull has an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. This is a requirement for entering Austria, and the microchip should be implanted by a veterinarian or a trained professional.
• Rabies vaccination: All dogs entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination. If your pit bull is entering Austria from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering the country. If entering from an Unlisted Third Country, your dog must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the rabies vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test.
• Health certificates: Obtain the necessary health certificates for your pit bull. If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you will need a veterinary export certificate in English or German. Additionally, an International Health Certificate from your veterinarian is required before departure.
• Pet passport: If your pit bull has a pet passport, bring it along. Otherwise, you can use your own passport.
• Airline and container requirements: Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements of the airline you choose for your pit bull's transport. The airline will have rules regarding the size and specifications of the transport container, which must provide adequate ventilation, room for your dog to stand, turn, and lie down, and containers for food and water.
• Border veterinary check: When entering Austria, your pit bull will need to be examined by a border veterinarian. This service is only available at the airports of Vienna and Linz for air traffic, so plan your travel accordingly.
• Customs clearance: At the airport, you will need to declare your pit bull to the customs office and present the necessary health certificates and documents. You will not be able to use the "green channel" exit but will need to use the "red channel" for travellers importing goods.
• Dog registration: Once you arrive in Austria, you will need to register your dog. Each municipality has different procedures, but you can register online through Hundeanmeldung. Additionally, if your dog is considered a breed originally bred for fighting, you and your dog must pass the Vienna Dog License exam within three months of arrival.
• Keeping your dog safe and legal in Austria: In Austria, dogs must be kept on a leash or muzzled in crowded public places, including public transport, outdoor events, and restaurants. You will also need to clean up after your dog at all times to avoid fines.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you have the necessary documentation and have met the requirements for transporting your pit bull to Austria.

Quarantine requirements

• Your dog must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit pet microchip. If your dog has a microchip that does not have 15 digits, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
• The microchip should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, who will provide documentation about the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your dog's information in the manufacturer database.
• Your dog must have proof of a current rabies vaccination that was administered after the microchip was implanted.
• If your dog 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 dog 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. Your dog can enter Austria no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine.

If you are entering Austria from a non-EU country, your dog must enter at a Border Inspection Post at the International Airport in Linz or Vienna. You must give notice 24 hours prior to arrival.

Please note that Austria does not publish a list of banned breeds. However, pet owners are responsible for the behaviour of their pets. It is always a good idea to double-check with the relevant authorities before travelling with your pit bull to Austria.

Dog registration

Overview

Austria is a pet-friendly country with clear and fair pet ownership laws. The country prioritises animal rights, and keeping pets is a simple process. Each municipality has different procedures for dog registration, but you can register online through Hundeanmeldung. This form is only available in German.

Microchipping and Rabies Vaccination

All dogs in Austria must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. The microchip should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, who will provide documentation of the manufacturer and instructions on registering your dog's information in their database.

If your dog had an identification tattoo before 3 July 2011, this is still valid. The tattoo must be clearly visible, and your dog must have received its rabies vaccination after the tattoo was applied.

All dogs entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip was implanted. Puppies under three months of age are exempt from this requirement if they are entering from another EU member state or a rabies-controlled nation.

Health Certificates

When entering Austria with your dog, you must have the necessary health certificates. If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you will need a veterinary export certificate in English or German, as well as an International Health Certificate from your vet. These certificates will verify that your dog has had all its vaccinations within the year before arriving in Austria.

Border Inspection Posts

When entering Austria with your dog, you must pass through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Linz or Vienna. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival.

Vienna Dog License Exam

If your dog is a breed originally bred for fighting, such as a pit bull, and is considered more dangerous or difficult to handle, you and your dog must pass the Vienna Dog License exam within three months of arrival. The exam costs €20.84 and is only available in German. The purpose of the exam is to ensure that owners can handle their dogs safely. Passing the exam exempts you from paying the Hundeabgabe (dog tax) for one year.

Dog Tax

By three months of age, your dog must be registered and you must pay an annual dog tax of €72 for the first dog and €105 for each additional dog.

Other Requirements

In Austria, all dogs, even small ones, must be kept on a leash or muzzled in crowded public places, including public transport, outdoor events, and restaurants. Dog owners are required to carry a muzzle and leash at all times. Additionally, it is mandatory to clean up after your dog, with a fine of €50 for non-compliance.

Frequently asked questions