Moving Your Dog From The Usa To Austria: A Guide

Moving a dog from the USA to Austria requires careful planning and attention to detail. The process involves several steps, including obtaining the necessary health certificates, ensuring your dog meets vaccination requirements, and choosing the right transportation method. It's important to be aware of the regulations and requirements of both the country of origin and the destination country to ensure a smooth transition for you and your furry friend. In this discussion, we will delve into the key considerations and provide insights into navigating the complexities of relocating your dog from the USA to Austria.

Transport options: plane, cruise ship, or car

Transporting a dog from the USA to Austria can be done by plane, cruise ship, or car. Each option has its own set of requirements and considerations that need to be taken into account.

Plane

When travelling by plane, you will need to comply with the airline's policies and requirements for transporting pets. Austrian Airlines, for example, allows dogs to travel in the passenger cabin or cargo hold, depending on their size and weight. If your dog is well-behaved and fits in the footwell, it may be allowed in the cabin. However, if your dog does not behave appropriately, it may be transferred to the cargo hold for an additional cost. It is important to note that you are liable for any damage and additional costs arising from transporting your dog.

To travel with your dog, you will need to provide specific documentation, such as a health certificate. The type of certificate required depends on whether you are travelling with your pet or designating someone else to travel with your dog. The "non-commercial" EU health certificate is used when the owner or a designated person is travelling within 5 days of the pet, while the "commercial" health certificate is needed if there is no designated person travelling with the dog or if there are 6 or more pets.

Cruise Ship

If you prefer a more leisurely option, you can consider travelling by cruise ship. The Queen Mary 2 is the only commercial ship that travels to Europe from the continental United States. On this ship, pets travel in kennels supervised by a full-time pet attendant and are allowed to visit the exercise area adjacent to the kennels. Reservations for this mode of transport are typically made over a year in advance due to high demand.

When travelling with a dog on a cruise ship, it is important to comply with the entry rules and regulations of each country or port the ship arrives at. A transit health certificate may be required if your pet is travelling through a country in the European Union on the way to a third, non-EU country.

Car

Travelling by car with a dog from the USA to Austria is possible, but it requires careful planning and consideration of the distance and time involved. It is important to ensure the comfort and safety of your dog throughout the journey, including making frequent stops for exercise, water, and rest. Additionally, you would need to research and comply with the import and export regulations of the countries you will be driving through.

Vaccinations and health certificates

To take your dog from the USA to Austria, you will need to ensure that it has been vaccinated and has the necessary health certificates. The EU requires that all pets be microchipped and vaccinated before entry. The microchip should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. No other form of identification is acceptable.

Your dog will need a rabies vaccination and, if coming from the USA, a rabies antibody test (also known as a titer) performed by an accredited veterinarian and sent to an EU-approved laboratory. The vaccination must be at least 30 days old before the blood draw for the test.

You will need to obtain a health certificate for your dog. If you are travelling with your dog, you can use the "non-commercial" EU health certificate, which is valid for travel within the EU for up to four months, as long as your dog's rabies vaccination does not expire. The pets must arrive in the EU within 10 days of the USDA endorsing the certificate.

If you or a designated person (a family member, friend, or other authorised person) cannot travel within five days of your dog, you will need to use the "commercial" health certificate. This must be issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departure from the USA. If a military veterinarian issues the health certificate, USDA endorsement is not required.

Upon arrival in Austria, you must present the animal health certificate or pet passport, and any other necessary documents, to the customs office at the airport.

Microchipping

Firstly, it is important to understand the role of microchipping in pet travel. A microchip serves as a permanent form of identification for your dog. It is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted just under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades of your dog. This microchip contains a unique identification number that can be read by a scanner, allowing your dog to be identified if they ever get lost or separated from you during travel or after arriving in Austria.

Now, let's discuss the specific requirements for microchipping your dog when moving to Austria. Austria follows the regulations set by the European Union (EU) for pet travel. According to these regulations, your dog must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip. ISO-compliant microchip numbers are typically 15 digits long and meet international standards (ISO 11784 and ISO 11785). You can verify the ISO compliance of the microchip with the manufacturer. Additionally, make sure your veterinarian scans the microchip before administering any rabies vaccinations, as this is a requirement for entering the EU.

If your dog already has a microchip, ensure that it is ISO-compliant. If it is not ISO-compliant, you have two options: travel with your own scanner that can read the non-ISO microchip, or have a second, ISO-compliant microchip implanted. In the latter case, ensure that both microchips are listed on your dog's health certificate.

It is important to note that microchipping should be done before rabies vaccination. The microchip serves as a means of identification when the vaccination is administered, and both are crucial for import compliance. Additionally, if you are coming from a country that is not listed by the EU, your dog will need a rabies antibody test, also known as a titer, performed by an accredited veterinarian.

Lastly, be mindful of the timelines associated with microchipping and rabies vaccination. Your dog's rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old before travelling, and the blood draw for the rabies antibody test (if required) should be done at least 30 days after microchipping. Remember to consult official guidelines and seek assistance from veterinarians and pet relocation services to ensure a smooth transition when moving your dog to Austria.

Pet passports

When moving a dog from the USA to Austria, one of the most important documents you will need is a pet passport. This is a standardised document that has been established for the movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets from one EU member state to another. The pet passport must be issued by an authorised veterinarian and contain the identification of the animal, confirmation of a valid rabies vaccination, and any necessary booster vaccinations. If your dog is travelling to Austria from the USA, you will need to provide a declaration in accordance with Article 25(3) of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 for each animal. This declaration must be drawn up in German and English and completed in printed letters.

To obtain a pet passport, you can order one from Pet Travel. They offer country-specific passports, including for Austria. The packet you receive in the mail will contain all the necessary paperwork, including information on your pet's general personal information, overall health, and historical vaccinations. It is recommended that you order three physical copies of the pet passport if you have three pets.

In addition to the pet passport, there are other requirements that must be met when travelling with your dog from the USA to Austria. Firstly, your dog must be microchipped before entering Austria, and the microchip must comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. Secondly, your dog must have all the necessary vaccinations, including DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus) and Bordetella. These vaccinations should be administered no less than two weeks before the export date for maximum effectiveness.

Furthermore, there are specific rules regarding the transportation of your dog. If you are travelling with a small dog (under 25 lbs), you can take them on the airplane with you in the cabin without much hassle. Alternatively, you can choose to transport your dog as checked luggage, where you will drop them off with a TSA-certified agent at the airport and reunite with them at your destination. If you are travelling with multiple pets, you may need to consider other options such as manifest cargo, where animals are placed inside a freighter airplane separate from the airport entrance and passenger seats.

Lastly, it is important to be aware of the EU 5-Day Rule. If you are transporting your dog "non-commercially", they must fly within five days of you, the owner. If you cannot meet this requirement, the move will be considered a commercial move, which will increase costs and change the EU import requirements and timeline. In such cases, you will need to obtain a "commercial" health certificate issued by an Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departing the USA with your dog.

Airline policies

When flying with a dog from the USA to Austria, it is important to be aware of the specific policies and requirements of the chosen airline. Different airlines have different rules and charges for transporting pets, and some may not allow dogs at all. For instance, Lufthansa no longer flies dogs to the USA. Austrian Airlines, on the other hand, does allow small cats and dogs in the cabin if the combined weight with the carrier does not exceed 8 kg. The pet fee for this service ranges from 50 EUR for domestic flights to 110 EUR for long intercontinental flights. If your dog exceeds the weight limit, it can be transported as checked baggage instead, with fees ranging from 80 EUR to 190 EUR. Austrian Airlines also requires that you inform them of the size and weight of the pet carrier at the time of booking.

Austrian Airlines has specific requirements for the pet carrier. It must be soft, bite-proof, leak-proof, smell-proof, and well-ventilated, with enough space for your dog to fit comfortably. The carrier must also comply with IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations and be large enough for your dog to stand, move around, and lie down in a natural position. The inside of the carrier must be smooth and free of protrusions that your dog can bite or scrape off. Additionally, the top must be waterproof to protect your dog from rain, snow, or hail.

It is important to note that Austrian Airlines reserves the right to check the condition of the carrier and your dog's behaviour at check-in. If your dog does not behave appropriately, they may be transferred to the cargo hold at an additional cost or refused carriage altogether. You are liable for any damage and additional costs arising from the transport of your dog.

In addition to airline policies, there are several requirements that must be met for importing a dog into Austria. These include microchipping, rabies vaccination, a health certificate, and an import permit. It is essential to review all the import regulations for Austria and the specific requirements of your chosen airline before planning your travel.

Frequently asked questions