Denmark - Pets paperwork
Pet animals are defined by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration as:
- Dogs, cats and ferrets. Please note that it is illegal to own or breed pit bull terriers or Tosas in Denmark. These dogs may not be cross-bread with each other or other races.
- Birds (with the exception of poultry which means fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites (Ratitae) reared or kept in captivity for breeding, the production of meat or eggs for consumption, or for re-stocking supplies of game.)
- Domestic rabbits and rodents
- Reptiles and amphibia (snakes, turtles and frogs)
- Invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans)
- Ornamental tropical fish
Traveling with pets
Traveling with pet animals means accompanying any animal belonging to any of the above mentioned species, which are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner (equals non-commercial transport), during their import to or export from Denmark.
The owner (or another person responsible for the pet animal on behalf of the owner) must accompany the pet animal in order to fulfill the requirements for non-commercial transport. Unaccompanied pet animal must otherwise fulfill animal health requirements for commercial trade.
An animal, which has not yet been vaccinated against rabies (i.e. kittens or puppies), cannot be imported into Denmark unless accompanied by its mother.
If you are flying with your pet or pets you need to know in advance:
- which airlines will accept pets and if it will accept your pet based on its age, special health or size considerations
- which route(s) they fly
- for which time of year and time of day flights are available, transit points, and size of aircraft available; in fact some routes will not fly animals in certain months (due to extreme climatic conditions) or if temperature is adverse due to health risks for the animals.
- the country’s import regulations and health requirements. Do not rely on the airlines for these information as they might not correctly informed you about the exact formal procedure for importing a pet (regulations are also subject to change), therefore check with the consulate of the relevant country to confirm import requirements of your pet.
PETS - Pet Travel Scheme
When bringing a pet to Denmark you must get a special animal passport, as stated in the PETS scheme.
A Pet Passport is a document that officially records information related to a specific animal, as part of that procedure.
PETS was introduced for the benefit of animals entering or returning to the UK from other European Union countries. In fact, because the strict regulations of the UK, meant to protect the country against the introduction of rabies, included a compulsory 6 month quarantine period on imports of many animals.
ATTENTION: Since the PETS scheme is not yet standardized, it is still recommended to research every journey between any two countries prior organizing your trip, to avoid unpleasant surprises at the last minute. Some countries still require separate documentation for rabies vaccination and will not accept the information contained in the PET passport.
The major hurdle in obtaining a PETS passport is the time required for the rabies vaccination (three months). If you have let the vaccination duration expire (it lasts 2 years max) by even one day, without a booster, than you must start with a new vaccination, which means at least three months delay.
Beware that regulations may change for travel within and outside Europe, as well as on departure and return to the same country after a visit to a country with health warnings (for example going to a rabies infested country and returning to a rabies free country).
Coming from outside EU
Strict regulations apply for import of dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries (i.e. countries other than EU Member States, with the exception of the countries of Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marina, Switzerland and the Vatican City States).
Dogs and cats from third countries must carry identification and be vaccinated against rabies. Furthermore, a blood sample to measure antibodies must be taken no less than 30 days after the vaccination against rabies. The sample must be analyzed at an EU-approved laboratory and must be taken at least three months prior to the departure.
Max five pet animals may be imported to the EU Member States from thirds countries, for more than five animals it applies the animal health requirement for commercial import.
Pet animals imported directly from non-EU countries may enter Denmark through the Border Inspection Post at Copenhagen Airport and Billund Airport. Notify the Border Inspection Post at least 24 hour before arrival.
Pet animals which come from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marina, Switzerland and the Vatican City States, may enter Denmark through all border crossings.
At the Border Inspection Post document and identity checks are carried out. If the point of entry is another EU Member State document and identity checks will be carried out in that EU Member State.
Please see the import requirements under each species in the English pages of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Estonian Veterinary and Food Board (click here).
Contacts
Border Inspection Post - Kastrup at Copenhagen Airport
Kystvejen 16
DK-2770 Kastrup
Phone:+45 72 27 60 00
Fax: +45 72 27 60 01
Email: [email protected]
Border Inspection Post- Billund at Billund Airport
Lufthavnvej
DK-7190 Billund
Phone: +45 72 27 55 00
Fax: +45 72 27 55 01
Email: [email protected]
Further information can be found on the homepage of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Estonian Veterinary and Food Board (click here for the English pages).
For the approved list by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration of animal carrier click here
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Health requirements
All countries will require:
- subcutaneous (below the skin) microchip implant that meets ISOP specification.
- a rabies certified vaccination (PETS passport alone not being a sufficient proof) together with a blood test to confirm vaccination is effective, and at least three months period rabies free confirmed prior the vaccination.
Airline do's and dont's
If your pet is traveling by plane here are few facts you may be better off knowing.
Place your pet in a special carrier for travel, with food and water containers as determined by the airline you will be using (check with the selected airline their specific requirements).
Consult your veterinary if you want to give tranquilizers to your pet, due to altitude medications can have unexpected side-effect. Airline place animals in an air-conditioned, pressurized and dark section of the hold which is sleep-inducing for most animals.
Over-sized pets may not be allowed on any route, check with the airline by asking which is the max size limit of the crate they allow on board.
Some airline might refuse carrying pets altogether.
Animals may fly as excess luggage or cargo; excess luggage has the advantage that your pet is with you as long as your luggage is, meaning you leave your pet at the check-in, as you do your luggage, and you get it back in the luggage retrieval area.
When travelling as Cargo the procedures are quite different. You leave your pet much earlier, usually in a cargo area of the airport, and not always does your animal travel on the same flight as you. Custom clearance is also much more time consuming.
