🐈 Taking a Cat to Germany (EU)

Prepared by the Animals Productions editorial team. See about us and our editorial standards.

Here's exactly what you need to bring a cat into Germany (EU) 🇩🇪. The rules below are specific to cats; for the full country overview see the country hub.

Verified entry requirements (2026)

1. ISO 11784/11785 microchip — before the rabies vaccination.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Tapeworm treatment — not required for mainland Germany.
6. 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).
7. 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.

EU 2026: new Regulation (EU) 2026/131 applies from 22 Apr 2026; old-format Animal Health Certificates are valid only if issued before 1 Oct 2026.

Flying

Small cats can fly in the cabin (airline weight limit applies); larger ones go in cargo.

FAQ

Can my cat fly in the cabin to Germany (EU)?

Small cats can fly in the cabin (airline weight limit applies); larger ones go in cargo.

Does my cat need a titer test?

Yes — and the waiting period can be long, so start early.

How many pets can I bring?

Usually up to 5 per traveler.

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