Austria keeps things refreshingly logical for pet travel, and the science here is simpler than it sounds. Your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and a health certificate before the trip even begins. Quarantine can apply, so that one deserves your early attention. Pixel and I have run this route, and the paperwork rewards travelers who prepare weeks ahead rather than days.
Bringing a pet to Austria requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Austria handles your pet Key links: BAVG (Federal Office for Consumer Health) import page (https://www.bavg.gv.at/en/import/living-animals/import). BAVG travel page (https://www.bavg.gv.at/en/import/living-animals/travel). BAVG FAQ (https://www.bavg.gv.at/en/import/faq). Austrian Finance Ministry customs (https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/customs/travellers/prohibitions-and-restrictions-on-imports/travelling-with-animals.html). Austrian Foreign Ministry pets (https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-london/travelling-to-austria/customs/pets). USDA APHIS Austria page (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-austria). Standard EU: microchip, rabies, AHC 10 days. Declare at customs at Vienna/Linz/Salzburg/Innsbruck/Graz/Klagenfurt airports. Max 5 pets.
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
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Hold & cargo policy Hold: Minimum age 3 weeks antibody test is required; this should ideally be carried out before departure (at least 3 weeks in advance). verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Heat embargo 2006°C For dogs and cats from Malaysia, in addition to the conditions mentioned above, requirements relating to ‘Nipah disease’ must be met in accordance with Commission Decision (2006/146/EC). verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesmust be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be valid An animal health certificate confirming the serological rabies test must be presented for each animal A declaration in accordance with Article 18(3) of verified 2026-07-15 Government endorsed cert required ✓ YesThe certificate may also be issued by an authorised veterinarian and, in this case, must be endorsed by the competent authority of the country of dispatch. verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesA) must be complied with Explanatory notes a) Identification Every animal must be identified: since 3 July 2011, animals may only be identified by means of a microchip. verified 2026-07-28 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✓ YesThe microchip number and/or the clearly legible tattoo number must be entered in the animal's pet passport. verified 2026-07-21 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ Yesa) Identification Every animal must be marked: since July 3, 2011, animals may only be marked by microchip. A tattoo done before July 3, 2011 is still valid as long as it is clearly legible. The marking must have been… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type quarantine facility …H5 and H7 antigen or genome in a sample taken not earlier than the seventh day of isolation or, moved to a quarantine facility approved in accordance with Article 14 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 for a period of at least 30… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesThe birds must be transported to the approved quarantine station immediately after border veterinary clearance within a maximum of 9 hours. verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Duration 30 days OR* , arrangements have been made for the quarantine of the birds after importation for a period of at least 30 days immediately after their arrival in an EU approved quarantine facility * one of the conditions must be… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ Yesment and tested negative for H5 and H7 avian influenza antigen or genome. OR* , arrangements have been made for the quarantine of the birds after importation for a period of at least 30 days immediately aft verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reduced duration 30 days …approved in accordance with Article 14 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 for a period of at least 30 days immediately after their arrival in the EU OR*, the competent authority of the Member State of… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ Yesawn no earlier than the seventh day of isolation. OR*, the birds are moved to a quarantine facility approved in accordance with Article 14 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 for a peri verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesIf titer testing is required for entry, rabies titer testing must be performed on animals that have never been tested, even if they have been regularly vaccinated against rabies. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list a laboratory approved by the EU The blood sample must be analysed in a laboratory approved by the EU . This laboratory may be located within the EU or in a third country. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 5 5 IU/ml on a blood sample taken by an authorized veterinarian verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ YesImportant links List of EU approved laboratories for serological rabies testing Information, explanations and samples Here you can find information, declarations and samples of the required certificates on the changed… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 21 days …by the approval of the vaccine, this vaccination is considered as basic immunization, and the period of 21 days must be observed c) Serological rabies test (determination of titer) Serological rabies testing shall… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 30 days The blood sample must be taken by a vet, no earlier than 30 days after vaccination. verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Required ✗ NoIf pets in tourist traffic meet the conditions listed below, these pets are not subject to border veterinary control in Austria, but to control by customs authorities. Dogs, cats and ferrets are subject to control by… verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Lead time 30 days …and effectively protected from contact with other birds under official supervision for a period of at least 30 days prior to dispatch, or , have been vaccinated/revaccinated with an approved vaccine against avian… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer official_vet your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU verified 2026-07-07 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yes(d) Official veterinary certificate and declaration An official veterinary certificate, as laid down in Article 18 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, must accompany each animal. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Endorsed by competent authority The certificate may also be issued by an authorised veterinarian, in which case it must be endorsed by the competent authority of the country of dispatch. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days …or English and must be completed in PRINTED WRITING. The animal health certificate shall not be older than 10 days at the time of entry into the Union. The animal health certificate may be used as a travel document… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Bilingual required ✓ YesYes, the certificate must be issued by an official veterinarian of the country of origin in English or German Does the animal health certificate have to be issued by an official veterinarian? verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesThe certificate may also be issued by an authorised veterinarian, in which case it must be endorsed by the competent authority of the country of dispatch. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesHowever, the validity of the certificate expires if the rabies vaccination needs to be refreshed or the animal is taken to a Member State for which treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis is mandatory. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesThe initial vaccination must have been carried out at least 6 months, but no later than 60 days, prior to entry. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Approved vaccines list inactivated or recombinant vaccine …Article 14(b) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies using an inactivated or recombinant vaccine in accordance with the marketing authorisation for the vaccine in verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 21 days Attention: For travel, the validity of the rabies vaccination begins no earlier than 21 days after vaccination. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when the basic immunization (first vaccination) is carried out verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✓ YesHowever, the certificate ceases to be valid before the expiry of these six months if: the animal’s rabies vaccination needs to be renewed, or the animal is taken to a Member State where treatment against the fox… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate required · Health certificate required ✓ YesThis rabies serological test need not be repeated in an animal in which the vaccination is revaccinated at the scheduled intervals. d) Animal health certificate (certificate) and declaration Each animal must be… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination required · Rabies vaccination required ✓ YesHowever, the validity of the certificate expires if the rabies vaccination needs to be refreshed or the animal is taken to a Member State for which treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis is mandatory. verified 2026-06-19 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedFrom all third countries, entry of dogs, cats and ferrets is possible if the following conditions are met: Each animal must be labelled Each animal must be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be valid verified 2026-07-15 Service & assistance animals Documentation required ✓ Yesith an ID number or micro-chipped to ensure they can be clearly identified. The microchip number and/or the clearly legible tattoo number must be entered in the animal's pet passport. Tattoos were used to identify some… verified 2026-07-14 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Minimum age 12 weeks …requirements set out in Annex VII, Part 1, of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when the primary vaccination (first dose) is administered The vaccination must verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks …rabies vaccination, the serological rabies test is also entered, or a declaration in accordance with Article 12 Para. 1 letter c of Regulation (EU ) No. 576/2013 is presented, stating that only one transit has taken… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Heat embargo 20°C …sa lt with the addition of 2% sodium carbonate for at least seven days; dried at a temperature of at least 20 °C for at least 42 days; or subjected to a preservation process other than tann verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesmust be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be valid An animal health certificate confirming the serological rabies test must be presented for each animal A decl verified 2026-07-15 Government endorsed cert required ✓ YesThe certificate may also be issued by an authorised veterinarian and, in this case, must be endorsed by the competent authority of the country of dispatch. verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesA) must be complied with Explanatory notes a) Identification Every animal must be identified: since 3 July 2011, animals may only be identified by means of a microchip. verified 2026-07-28 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✓ YesThe microchip number and/or the clearly legible tattoo number must be entered in the animal's pet passport. verified 2026-07-21 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ Yesa) Identification Every animal must be marked: since July 3, 2011, animals may only be marked by microchip. A tattoo done before July 3, 2011 is still valid as long as it is clearly legible. The marking must have been… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type quarantine facility OR*, the birds are moved to a quarantine facility approved in accordance with Article 14 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 for a period of at least 30… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesThe birds must be transported to the approved quarantine station immediately after border veterinary clearance within a maximum of 9 hours. verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Duration 30 days OR* , arrangements have been made for the quarantine of the birds after importation for a period of at least 30 days immediately after their arrival in an EU approved quarantine facility * one of the conditions must be… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reduced duration 30 days …approved in accordance with Article 14 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 for a period of at least 30 days immediately after their arrival in the EU OR*, the competent authority of the Member State of… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesA) From all third countries, entry of dogs, cats and ferrets is possible if the following conditions are met: Each animal must be labelled Each animal must be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be valid… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list a laboratory approved by the EU The blood sample must be analysed in a laboratory approved by the EU . This laboratory may be located within the EU or in a third country. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 5 5 IU/ml on a blood sample taken by an authorized veterinarian verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ YesImportant links List of EU approved laboratories for serological rabies testing Information, explanations and samples Here you can find information, declarations and samples of the required certificates on the changed… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 21 days …by the approval of the vaccine, this vaccination is considered as basic immunization, and the period of 21 days must be observed c) Serological rabies test (determination of titer) Serological rabies testing shall… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 30 days The blood sample must be taken by a vet, no earlier than 30 days after vaccination. verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Required ✗ NoIf pets in tourist traffic meet the conditions listed below, these pets are not subject to border veterinary control in Austria, but to control by customs authorities. Dogs, cats and ferrets are subject to control by… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer official_vet your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU verified 2026-07-07 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yesllowing conditions are met: Each animal must be identified Each animal must be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be valid An animal health certificate confirming the serological rabies test must be… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Endorsed by competent authority The certificate may also be issued by an authorised veterinarian, in which case it must be endorsed by the competent authority of the country of dispatch. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days …or English and must be completed in PRINTED WRITING. The animal health certificate shall not be older than 10 days at the time of entry into the Union. The animal health certificate may be used as a travel document… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Bilingual required ✓ YesYes, the certificate must be issued by an official veterinarian of the country of origin in English or German Does the animal health certificate have to be issued by an official veterinarian? verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesThe birds must be accompanied by an official veterinary certificate in accordance with Annex V to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705, which: has been issued by an official veterinarian or an a verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yesbe used as a travel document within the EU for six months – the period begins with the inspection at the EU external border The period expires if the rabies vaccination needs to be renewed A sample certificate can be… verified 2026-07-28 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesA) Dogs, cats and ferrets may be brought in from all third countries provided the following conditions are met: Each animal must be identified Each animal must be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 21 days Attention: For travel, the validity of the rabies vaccination begins no earlier than 21 days after vaccination. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination ✓ Yesbies using an inactivated or recombinant vaccine in accordance with the marketing authorisation for the vaccine in the animal’s country of origin The rabies vaccination must comply with the validity requirements set out… verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✗ NoPet dogs (not pet cats or pet ferrets) must be treated against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entering: any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620,… verified 2026-07-15 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedFrom all third countries, entry of dogs, cats and ferrets is possible if the following conditions are met: Each animal must be labelled Each animal must be vaccinated against rabies and this vaccination must be valid verified 2026-07-15
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Conditional requirements
These rules apply only to pets with a specific travel history. Most travelers can ignore them — but if one applies to you, skipping it can mean denied entry.
Pet arriving from an unlisted (non-Annex II) third country — If your pet has been in one of 111 higher-risk countries in the last 6 months:
Rabies titer (blood) test: Rabies antibody titer test (FAVN or ELISA) ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 3-month wait from date of satisfactory result before entry.
Ports of entry
Vienna-Schwechat AirportLinz AirportSalzburg AirportInnsbruck AirportGraz-Thalerhof AirportKlagenfurt Airportverified 2026-07-15
Since July 3, 2011, only a microchip counts as valid identification for entry into Austria. A tattoo applied before that date remains acceptable, but only while it stays clearly legible. Order of events matters: chip the animal first, then vaccinate. Confirm the chip scans correctly at your vet appointment before any vaccination record is dated against it.
Austria accepts pet entry only through designated border crossing points. The approved airports are Vienna-Schwechat, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, and Klagenfurt. Route your booking through one of these six airports rather than a smaller regional field. Confirm your inbound flight lands at a listed airport before ticketing, and choose Vienna-Schwechat when connections allow the widest coverage.
Frequently asked
Does Austria require a rabies antibody (titer) test? Only for pets arriving from a country not on the EU's listed (Annex II) countries. Those pets need a rabies antibody titer test from an approved lab. Pets from EU or listed countries do not. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Austria applies a 30-day lead time tied to the import permit pathway. The animal must be isolated and protected from contact under official supervision for at least 30 days before dispatch. Start that clock a full month ahead of departure. Book the supervising vet and confirm the isolation period is documented before setting your travel date.
Austria is manageable once your microchip, rabies record, and health certificate line up in the right order, with quarantine timed correctly. That is exactly where a personalized plan earns its keep. Build your Austria trip in Pawgo's plan-builder and let it sequence every deadline for your specific dog and route. Pixel makes friends with every customs officer, and a solid plan means you will too.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
