Bringing a cat from the USA to Germany: rules 2026
Taking a cat from the USA to Germany is one of the smoother transatlantic pet routes. The USA's EU-listed status means no rabies titer test, and cats face no tapeworm treatment requirement — making the process faster than for dogs.
Destination requirements
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip — before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination — pet ≥12 weeks old; the vaccination date must not be earlier than the microchip date; then wait ≥21 days after the primary vaccination.
- Rabies titer test — required ONLY from an “unlisted” country (not needed from the EU or listed countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan). Blood ≥30 days after vaccination and ≥90 days (3 months) before the certificate; ≥0.5 IU/ml; EU-approved laboratory.
- Certificate — from a non-EU country: an EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex III, Reg. (EU) 2026/705) endorsed by the exporting country’s authority (in the USA, USDA APHIS), valid 10 days to entry. From the EU / on return: the EU pet passport.
- Tapeworm treatment — not required for mainland Germany.
- Breed import ban — federal law (HundVerbrEinfG §2) bans the import and transit of: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier, Bull Terrier and their crosses. Individual federal states may add keeping rules (verify by state).
- Quarantine — none if everything is met. Puppies under 15 weeks are not admitted; from an unlisted country the process effectively takes ~7 months due to the timelines.
Official sources
- BMLEH — Pets entry regulation ↗
- European Commission — Bringing a pet from a non-EU country ↗
- HundVerbrEinfG §2 (breed import ban) ↗
- USDA APHIS — US to Germany ↗
- ✓ ISO 11784/11785 microchipping before rabies vaccine timeline
- ✓ Rabies titer blood test (RNATT) & mandatory 90-day waiting period
- ✓ Airport transit zone regulations, international vet certificates & EU pet passport
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FAQ
Do I need a titer test to bring a cat from the USA to Germany?
No. The USA is EU-listed, so the titer test is waived. Microchip, rabies vaccination and a USDA-endorsed EU AHC are the main requirements.
Do cats need a tapeworm treatment for Germany?
No. Tapeworm treatment is not required for cats entering Germany (or any EU country — it's only required for dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway).
How long before travel should I start?
About 3–4 weeks: allow 21 days for the rabies vaccine wait, then get the EU AHC and USDA endorsement done close to departure.
Is there a breed restriction for cats in Germany?
Germany has no specific cat breed bans at the federal level. Airlines may have their own rules on flat-faced (brachycephalic) cats.