Estonia

Pet Entry Requirements for Estonia

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Estonia?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Estonia?

• Pets in Estonia:

  Pet ownership in Estonia is characterized by a strong affection for a variety of animals, with well-established veterinary services and active animal welfare organizations supporting responsible pet care. The cultural inclination towards outdoor activities and a growing trend in adopting pets from shelters further shape the landscape of pet ownership in the country. Dogs are very popular in Estonia, often kept for companionship, protection, and outdoor activities. Cats are also widely kept as pets. Many public spaces, including parks and cafes, are becoming more pet-friendly, reflecting the country’s inclusive attitude towards pets. Estonia has a well-developed veterinary care system, particularly in cities. Rural areas might have less immediate access, but mobile veterinary services are available.

• Flying a Pet to Estonia:

  All pets entering Estonia from outside of the European Union must do so at an approved Border Inspection Post. Estonia does not have a Border Inspection Post, so all imports by air should enter the EU in Latvia at Riga International Airport. Commercial airlines serving pets that fly into Latvia include Aegean Airlines, airBaltic, British Airways, Finnair, LOT Polish, British Airways, Lufthansa, Transavia, Turkish Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways. Flights to Estonia should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted third country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

• What is a Pet Passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Estonia pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets.Your pet’s passport to enter Estonia will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following: An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)An Animal Health Certificate when entering Estonia from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

• Breeds Banned by Estonia:

  Estonia does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

• Entering Estonia with a Pet:

  There is not an approved Border Inspection Post for dogs, cats and ferrets entering Estonia. Pets must enter Estonia through an inspection post in another EU Member State. Pet owners can enter the EU at Riga, Latvia and travel to Estonia by ground. Flights to Estonia should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, or part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted third country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the TRACES database and the responsible transporter must be registered. Non-commercial transports by land must also be registered. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Estonia. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

• Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

  Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that handles the movement of live animals.

• Estonia Pet Import Requirements:

  All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Estonia must be completed in the country of origin.

• Exporting Resident Pets from Estonia:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Estonia for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country should: Be microchippedBe vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age andWait for 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Estonia.Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements) Note that many part 1 listed third countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country. If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted third country, a veterinarian in Estonia should administer a rabies titer test before leaving Estonia if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an Unlisted Third Country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country. All animals leaving Estonia for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance to their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits.

• Quarantine for Pets Entering Estonia:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Estonia if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

• Importing Puppies and Kittens to Estonia:

  Puppies and kittens who are either: under 12 weeks of age and not vaccinated for rabiesover 12 weeks of age and vaccinated for rabies but cannot meet the 21 day wait requirement can enter Estonia under the following conditions: The puppy or kitten must be accompanied by its owner or legal representative.The puppy or kitten must have been born in another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country since the day of its birth.The puppy or kitten has been kept indoors and has been raised at the place where it was born.The puppy or kitten must be microchipped.The puppy or kitten must be accompanied by an EU Pet Passport (when entering from other EU Member States or part 1 listed third countries) or a non-commercial EU health certificate (non-EU resident pets).The puppy or kitten must enter Estonia from another EU Member State and conform to puppy and kitten regulations to enter that EU Member State.The puppy or kitten cannot leave Estonia until it conforms to regulations listed here. Puppies and kittens from unlisted third countries must conform to all import regulations listed here. Minimum age of import to Estonia from an unlisted third country is 7 months of age. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy

• Animals Eligible for These Import Regulations:

  These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other animals covered by these regulations should refer to step 13.

• Importing Birds and Other Pet Animals to Estonia:

  Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians and reptiles entering Estonia from any country must: Be examined by a licensed veterinarian within five days of transport.Show no signs of disease or external parasites.Be accompanied by their owner.Be less than five in number.Have a licensed veterinarian issue a health certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.Enter the Estonia at an approved Border Inspection Post.Give notice of import at least one working day prior to import.

• Importing Dogs and Cats to Estonia from Malaysia and Australia:

  If your pet is entering Estonia from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met: Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export. Cats may only enter Estonia from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

  Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Learn more about CITES

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