Switzerland

Pet Entry Requirements for Switzerland

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Switzerland?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Switzerland?

• Important information:

  Not specified

• What is a Pet Passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Switzerland 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 Switzerland 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 Switzerland from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

• Flying a Pet to Switzerland:

  Flights to Switzerland 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 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.

• 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.

• Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry):

  Birds can enter Switzerland from EU Member States and Part 1 Listed Countries under non-commercial regulations (accompanied by their owner) without restrictions unless they are subject to CITES regulations. Birds must be residents ofthese non-EU countriesto be permitted entry to Switzerland. Pet birds must conform to these requirements: Birds must be accompanied by the owner with a Declaration of Ownership.The transport does not exceed 5 birds in number.Birds must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag) prior to isolation and any testing (see below).Birds must be accompanied with a health certificate from the origination country.Birds must enter Switzerland at Zurich or Geneva.

• Entering Switzerland with a Pet:

  Accompanied pets entering by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at internationalairports in Basel, Geneva or Zurich. Accompanied pets entering Switzerland from another EU country can enter at Geneva, Zurich or Basel (except birds). Dogs, cats, and ferrets can fly to Switzerland in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according toairline pet policies. 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 at customs clearance. All commercial transports of dogs, cats and ferrets, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in TRACES, and the responsible transporter must be registered. Flights to Switzerland 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 Switzerland. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, a licensed veterinarian may be required further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

• Switzerland Pet Import Requirements:

  All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Switzerland must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given. Although Switzerland is not an EU Member State, it is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and has adopted most EU regulations for importing a dog, cat or ferret to the country.

• Breeds Banned from Import to Switzerland:

  Regulations for banned breeds in Switzerland are set at the canton (province) level. Depending on the canton your dog is locating to, the breed restrictions will apply. There are also restrictions on Savannah and Bengal cats. In Geneva, the following breeds or their crosses will not be permitted domicile in the Canton of Geneva unless they are entering Geneva from outside of Switzerland, have been neutered and have no history of aggression: American Staffordshire, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Braziliero, Mastiff, Matin Espagnol, Matin de Naples, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Thai Ridgeback, and Tosa Inu. Dogs of this breed must complete a training course within 3 months of entering Geneva and live in a one-dog household. These breeds will be exempted from this canton’s dog law for a period of 3 months. Dog owners should be prepared to muzzle their dogs when in public places. In Zurich, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are considered high-risk dogs. Dogs with cropped ears or tails are also banned from entry to Switzerland. If you are intending to reside in the country, you will need to get advance permission from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office.

• Exporting Resident Pets from Switzerland:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Switzerland for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country should: Be microchipped, thenBe vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age, andWait for at least 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Switzerland.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. An export permit will be required for dogs and cats being exported from Switzerland for commercial reasons. Owners should contact veterinary authorities in their canton for more information. Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Switzerland. 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 Switzerland 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.

• Quarantine for pets entering Switzerland:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Switzerland 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 Other Pet Animals to Switzerland:

  Not specified

• Importing Puppies and Kittens to Switzerland:

  Puppies and kittens who are either: under 12 weeks of age and not vaccinated for rabies orover 12 weeks of age, vaccinated for rabies, but cannot meet the 21-day wait requirement can enter Switzerland only from another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third countries. Your puppy, kitten or ferret must be microchipped and accompanied by an EU Pet Passport or EU Health Certificate and must also be accompanied with/by: a declaration of the owner attached to its passport stating that, from birth until the time of import, your pet has not left its place of birth, and your pet has had no contact with wild animals that could carry rabies.ortheir mother whose passport indicates that she was currently vaccinated for rabies at the time she gave birth.proof that the puppy or kitten is over 8 weeks of age. Puppies and kittens less than three months of age must be accompanied by their owner or owner’s representative. Puppies younger than 56 days must be accompanied by their mother. 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 SWITZERLAND below.

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

  Your dog, cat or ferret must meet the following conditions when entering Switzerland from peninsular Malaysia: 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 Switzerland 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 agency in your country that is responsible for environmental protection if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations. 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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