Lithuania
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Lithuania
Pet Entry Requirements for Lithuania
EU Country Classifications
The European Union (EU) does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either: EU Member States and territoriespart 1 listed third countriespart 2 listed third countriesunlisted countries The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Lithuania will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past four months. Click on the links above to find your origination country’s classification. Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing import regulations for Lithuania.
Type of Transport
The European Union classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.
Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, most all countries worldwide require a microchip as a form of pet identification. The third step to import a dog, cat or ferret to Lithuania is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digitwhich is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can either bring your own. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country. A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions: It was applied prior to July 3, 2011, andThe tattoo is clearly visible, andYour pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, andAll rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered).
Vaccinations
All dogs, cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Lithuania must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted. If entering Lithuania from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed third country, your pet must wait for at least 21 days after primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Lithuania from an unlisted third country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step). In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time. Other Vaccinations:Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as: canine distemper (also for ferrets)canine hepatitiscanine leptospirosiscanine parvovirusfeline viral rhinotracheitisfeline panleukopeniafeline leukemia Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering Lithuania from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit. This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) is preferred. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Lithuania until 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid denial of entry. It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country. The test is valid to enter any EU Member State for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.
Import Permit
Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Lithuania with a dog, cat, or ferret. Unaccompanied pets may need an import permit.
Parasite Treatments
Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to keep them healthy when traveling internationally; however, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Lithuania.
Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires original health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Lithuania is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under: non-commercial or commercial.
Complete all 8 steps to enter Lithuania with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Lithuania?
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Lithuania 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.
What Additional Information Do I Need for Lithuania?
- Banned Breeds:
Lithuania does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
- Pets in Lithuania:
Lithuania has a vibrant pet culture, and pets are an integral part of many households. Dogs lead in popularity in Lithuania, with a wide range of breeds being kept as pets. Cats are also very popular. Pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters are also popular, especially in families with children. Lithuania has a well-established network of veterinary clinics providing a range of services, and pet shops are common in urban areas. Lithuania has regulations in place for pet ownership, including mandatory vaccinations and microchipping for dogs and cats ensuring pet health and managing stray populations. Pet-related events such as dog shows, pet fairs, and adoption events are held regularly, and many parks and public spaces are pet-friendly, providing areas for pets to exercise and socialize.
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Lithuania 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 Lithuania 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 Lithuania from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.
- 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 is responsible for the movement of live animals.
- Entering Lithuania with a Pet:
All pets entering Lithuania by air from non-EU Member States must do so at an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Vilnius. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival. Pets can enter Lithuania by air in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? If traveling under non-commercial regulations, your pet’s passport including all required documents will be checked and entered into TRACES. All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in TRACES, and the responsible transporter must be registered. Flights to Lithuania should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted 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 domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Lithuania. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.
- Lithuania Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Lithuania must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.
- Exporting Resident Pets from Lithuania:
All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Lithuania 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 at least 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Lithuania.Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.Provide other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements). Exception: Exports to EU Member States that permit the entry of unvaccinated puppies and kittens. Note that many part 1 listed third countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country. Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Lithuania. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country. All animals leaving Lithuania 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 country responsible for the issuance of export permits.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering Lithuania:
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Lithuania 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.
- Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to Lithuania:
Several commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Vilnius Airport include Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Finnair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International and Turkish Airlines. Pet owners should look first at one of these airlines that serve the country of origin to arrange transport to Lithuania with the same airline. Flights to Lithuania 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.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Lithuania:
Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets are not permitted to enter Lithuania from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations will not be recognized until 12 weeks of age and there is a 21 day wait for puppies and kittens arriving from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries. Puppies and kittens entering from unlisted countries cannot do so until they are at least 7 months of age to meet requirements. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy
- Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:
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 types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO LITHUANIA below.
- Importing Birds and Other Pet Animals to Lithuania:
Not specified
- Importing Dogs and Cats to Lithuania from Malaysia and Australia:
If your dog, cat or ferret is entering Lithuania 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 Lithuania 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. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Lithuania if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:[[Search the ](https://www.speciesplus.net/)CITES database](https://checklist.cites.org/#/en)orSearch theSpecies+ Database Related:Learn more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences

Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Lithuania last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.

Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Lithuania was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!