Bringing a Pet to Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway, and Denmark Compared
Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are three of the most desirable relocation destinations in the world, and all three have clear frameworks for pet import. The key distinction is that Denmark and Sweden are EU members while Norway sits outside the EU but inside the EEA.
Sweden (EU member)
Sweden follows EU pet travel rules. EU pet passports accepted from EU countries. Non-EU arrivals (including UK post-Brexit) need an AHC in EU format. Dogs need tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before arrival. Sweden’s Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) administers pet imports.
Denmark (EU member)
Same framework as Sweden. EU pet passports accepted. UK arrivals need an AHC endorsed by APHA. Dogs need tapeworm treatment. Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Foedevarestyrelsen) handles import oversight.
Norway (EEA, not EU)
Norway accepts EU pet passports for pets from EU member states. Non-EU arrivals need documentation aligned with EU requirements. Norway has its own import health certificate format for non-EEA animals, managed by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs arriving from all countries except Norway’s own short approved list. The treatment window is 1-7 days (slightly wider than the EU’s 1-5 days). Norway also requires a 4-hour waiting period after tapeworm treatment before travel.
From the UK to any Scandinavian country
UK pets are non-EU animals post-Brexit. An AHC is required for Sweden and Denmark. For Norway, the Mattilsynet format applies. Dogs need tapeworm treatment. All three countries require entry through approved border inspection posts - Oslo Gardermoen, Stockholm Arlanda, and Copenhagen Kastrup all handle live animal arrivals.
Breeding restrictions
Sweden has a law banning ear and tail docking, and any dog showing signs of docking may be barred from shows. Otherwise there are no national breed bans in any of the three countries, though individual municipalities may have rules.