Moving Pets to Finland: EU Entry Rules, Echinococcus Treatment, and Winter Travel

Finland is a Nordic EU member state with one specific requirement that sets it apart from most EU entry points: Echinococcus tapeworm treatment for dogs.

The Echinococcus Treatment Requirement

Finland, like the UK, Ireland, Malta, and Norway, has maintained a derogation from standard EU pet movement rules requiring dogs to be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis - a tapeworm whose intermediate hosts include rodents common in northern and central Europe.

What you need:

• A licensed vet administers praziquantel (or equivalent) treatment
• Treatment given 1-5 days before the dog enters Finland
• The treating vet records it in the health certificate

This applies to dogs entering from any country, including other EU member states. Cats are exempt.

Documentation for UK to Finland

Flying Into Finland

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) handles most international pet arrivals. Finnish border vets conduct documentary and physical checks at the BIP. Pre-notification is advisable for cargo shipments.

Main carriers serving Helsinki from the UK: Finnair, British Airways, Ryanair. Finnair accepts pets in cabin and cargo. BA requires cargo for all dogs.

Cold Weather and Nordic Cargo

Finland is cold, particularly in winter. The cargo hold is temperature-controlled, but ground handling time in -20°C conditions matters for short-coated or small breeds. Schedule flights through Helsinki in winter to minimise ground exposure time. Larger, cold-adapted breeds (Huskies, Samoyeds, Malamutes) handle Finnish winter conditions better than short-coated dogs.

Breed Restrictions

Finland does not have a list of nationally banned breeds. Finnish legislation focuses on individual dog behaviour rather than breed type.

Cost Estimate (UK to Finland)

Sources: EU Regulation 576/2013; Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) official pet import guidance. Data current as of May 2026.