Bringing a Pet to RO

Data completeness: 83% · Last updated: April 11, 2026

Can You Bring Your Pet to Romania?

Yes, you can import dogs and cats into Romania as an EU member state. However, Romania has specific requirements that must be met before arrival. This guide walks you through every step, from preparation to arrival at one of Romania's approved ports.

Romania is an EU member, which means your pet may be eligible for streamlined entry if you follow the correct procedures. However, non-EU countries face additional scrutiny, so plan accordingly.

Key Requirements at a Glance

  • Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 standard (must be done before vaccination)
  • Rabies vaccination: Required, with specific timing rules
  • Rabies titer test: Required (minimum 0.5 IU/ml)
  • Health certificate: Issued by official vet, valid for 10 days
  • Tapeworm treatment: Recommended (24–120 hours before arrival)
  • Approved ports: Bucharest Henri Coandă, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara
  • Quarantine: Not required if all documents are in order

Step-by-Step Timeline (Working Backwards from Departure)

4–6 Months Before Travel

Schedule your first vet appointment. Your veterinarian needs time to coordinate microchipping, vaccinations, and titer testing. Book early, especially if your vet is busy or if you're traveling during peak season.

Contact the government veterinary authority of your origin country to confirm they will endorse your health certificate. In the United States, this is USDA APHIS; in the United Kingdom, it's APHA; in Canada, it's CFIA.

3–4 Months Before Travel

Get your pet microchipped. The microchip must be ISO 11784/11785 standard and must be implanted before any rabies vaccination. This is a critical sequencing requirement. Your vet will record the microchip number in your pet's health records.

2–3 Months Before Travel

Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. After the first dose, you must wait at least 21 days before the titer test can be performed. This is an industry standard waiting period.

If your pet has never been vaccinated against rabies, this is your starting point. If your pet was previously vaccinated, ensure the vaccine is less than 12 months old at the time of travel.

6–8 Weeks Before Travel

Schedule the rabies titer test. The test must be performed at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The test measures antibody levels and must show a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml. Use an approved laboratory—ask your vet which labs they recommend.

The titer test is mandatory and cannot be skipped, even if your pet has been vaccinated multiple times.

4–6 Weeks Before Travel

Obtain the health certificate. Once the titer test results are back and confirm adequate antibody levels, your vet can issue the health certificate. This document must be:

  • Issued by an official veterinarian
  • Valid for 10 days from issue date
  • Endorsed by the government veterinary authority of your origin country
  • Provided in original form (not a copy)

Plan the timing carefully: issue the certificate no more than 10 days before your arrival in Romania.

24–120 Hours Before Arrival

Administer tapeworm treatment (optional but recommended). While not strictly required, tapeworm treatment with Praziquantel is recommended by most countries and should be given between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. Your vet will document this in writing.

Before Departure

Confirm your port of entry. You must arrive at one of three approved ports: Bucharest Henri Coandă, Cluj-Napoca, or Timișoara. Arrange your flight accordingly. Your pet will undergo veterinary inspection at the port of entry.

Double-check all documents. See the checklist below.

Documents Checklist

Before you board your flight, ensure you have:

  1. Original health certificate — issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority
  2. Microchip documentation — proof of ISO 11784/11785 standard chip implantation (before vaccination)
  3. Rabies vaccination record — showing date, vaccine name, and vet signature
  4. Rabies titer test results — showing minimum 0.5 IU/ml, from an approved laboratory, performed at least 30 days after vaccination
  5. Tapeworm treatment documentation (optional but recommended) — vet-signed record of Praziquantel administration with date and time
  6. Pet identification — microchip number, photo, breed, color, distinguishing marks
  7. Travel itinerary — flight details, arrival port, and contact information in Romania

Keep originals in a waterproof folder. Take photos of all documents as backup.

Approved Ports of Entry

Your pet must enter Romania through one of these three airports:

  • Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) — the largest and most common entry point
  • Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) — serves central Romania
  • Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR) — serves western Romania

All three ports have veterinary inspection facilities. Inspection is mandatory and included in standard arrival procedures.

Quarantine & Inspection

If all your documents are in order, no quarantine is required. Your pet will be inspected at the port of entry by a veterinary officer, but compliant pets are cleared immediately.

If documents are incomplete or missing, quarantine may be required at an approved facility. To avoid this, ensure every requirement is met before travel.

Breed Restrictions

We're still verifying whether Romania has specific breed restrictions. Some municipalities may have local restrictions on certain breeds. Check with your local Romanian municipality before travel, and consult the EU pet travel rules guide for general EU breed information.

Special Considerations for Non-EU Travelers

If you're traveling from outside the EU, Romania may require additional documentation or impose stricter scrutiny. Confirm current regulations with the Romanian National Sanitary Veterinary Authority (ANSVSA) at least 8 weeks before travel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Microchipping after vaccination: The microchip must come first. If done in the wrong order, you'll need to restart the vaccination timeline.
  • Skipping the titer test: Even if your pet was vaccinated years ago, the titer test is mandatory and cannot be waived.
  • Issuing the health certificate too early: It's only valid for 10 days. Time it to arrive within that window.
  • Using an unapproved laboratory for titer testing: Ask your vet which labs are approved before testing.
  • Flying into the wrong airport: Only Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara are approved. Other airports will not process your pet.
  • Forgetting original documents: Copies are not accepted. Bring originals only.
  • Underestimating lead time: Start the process 4–6 months before travel. Rushing increases the risk of errors.

Helpful Resources

For more information on EU pet travel, see our EU pet travel rules guide. If you're flying with your pet, check your airline's pet policy—most major carriers have specific requirements for international travel. Popular airlines serving Romania include Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, and TAROM.

Final Reminders

Verify current regulations with the Romanian National Sanitary Veterinary Authority (ANSVSA) before travel. Regulations can change, and local municipalities may have additional requirements. Non-EU countries may face additional scrutiny beyond what's outlined here.

Ready to plan your pet's move? Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure nothing is missed.

This guide is based on verified data extracted from official government sources and industry standards as of April 2026. Always confirm current requirements with ANSVSA before travel.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 11, 2026

Microchip

A microchip is required for bringing a pet into RO. Make sure it's implanted before your pet's rabies vaccination, as many countries won't accept the vaccine otherwise.

RequiredYes
Must precede vaccinationYes
ISO standardUnknown

Rabies Vaccination

A current rabies vaccination is mandatory for entering RO with a pet. Plan ahead — there may be a waiting period after vaccination before travel is allowed.

RequiredYes
Waiting period (days)21
Booster requiredYes

Health Certificate

You'll need an official health certificate from a licensed veterinarian to bring your pet to RO. Schedule your vet appointment close to your departure date, as these certificates have a limited validity window.

RequiredYes
Validity (days)10
Government endorsedUnknown

Titer Test (FAVN)

RO requires a rabies titer test (FAVN blood test) proving your pet has adequate antibody levels. This can involve a significant waiting period, so start early.

RequiredYes
Waiting period (days)Unknown

Quarantine

Good news — RO does not require quarantine for compliant pets arriving with proper documentation.

RequiredNo
Duration (days)0

Import Permit

RO does not require a separate import permit for pet entry.

RequiredNo

Breed Restrictions

RO does not impose breed-specific restrictions on pet imports.

Has breed restrictionsNo

Key Info

Country CodeRO
Data Quality83%
Last VerifiedApril 11, 2026