Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
Austria to Lithuania is an intra-EU move covered entirely by the EU pet passport system. Your pet needs a microchip (implanted before the rabies vaccination), a current rabies vaccination at least 21 days old, and an EU pet passport from your Austrian vet. Ryanair and Wizz Air both fly Vienna to Vilnius directly and accept small pets in the cabin. For larger dogs, cargo connections via Warsaw or Frankfurt work well. No titre test, no quarantine, and no import permit required.
Step by step
The Austria to Lithuania process
1
Verify now.
Check microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination in EU pet passport
Responsible: Your Austrian vet
2
Check vaccination dates in EU passport. Update if needed.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current (at least 21 days old)
Responsible: Austrian vet
3
Any time before travel.
EU pet passport obtained or updated if needed
Responsible: Austrian vet
4
Standard lead time.
Book Vienna to Vilnius flights. Confirm carrier's pet policy.
Responsible: Owner
5
Travel day. Vienna to Vilnius is approximately 2 hours direct.
Travel to Vilnius with EU pet passport.
Responsible: Owner, airline
Checklist
Lithuania: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since the primary vaccination. Must be current. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013.
Rabies titre test
Not required.
Quarantine
No quarantine for EU pets with valid passport.
Import permit
Not required for intra-EU movement.
Health certificate
EU pet passport.
Leaving Austria
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No export permit required for intra-EU movement.
Health certificate
EU pet passport. Austria and Lithuania are both EU member states. Your Austrian vet issues or updates the EU pet passport for this journey.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
EU pet passport: approximately EUR 40-100
2
Vaccination update if needed: EUR 30-80
3
Cabin pet fee: EUR 30-80
4
Cargo fee if needed: EUR 180-500
5
Total typical range: EUR 80-650
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Both Ryanair and Wizz Air serve Vienna-Vilnius but carry pets in cabin only. For large dogs, you need a carrier with a cargo service, such as LOT via Warsaw or Austrian Airlines via a connecting hub.
⚠ Lithuania has breed-specific legislation. Certain types including Pit Bull types may face registration requirements or public restrictions. These do not prevent entry but affect everyday ownership once resident.
⚠ The microchip sequence matters: implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Ryanair
Vienna to Vilnius (VNO) direct flights. Accepts small pets in cabin. No cargo pet service. For pets under the Ryanair cabin weight limit.
Cabin Only
Austrian Airlines
Vienna (VIE) hub with Lufthansa Group connections to Vilnius. Cargo service available for larger pets via connecting hubs.
Cargo and Cabin
Wizz Air
Vienna to Vilnius and Kaunas (KUN). Cabin only for small pets. No live animal cargo in hold.
Cabin Only
LOT Polish Airlines
Vienna to Warsaw (WAW) to Vilnius. LOT carries pets in cabin and cargo. Warsaw is a practical connecting hub for Lithuania.
Cargo and Cabin
The EU pet passport for intra-EU travel
Austria and Lithuania are both EU member states, and the EU pet passport is the standard travel document for moving pets between them. It records the microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and the issuing vet’s information.
Your Austrian vet holds the passport and updates it at each vaccination. If the passport is current and the rabies vaccination is in date (and at least 21 days old from the primary course), you are ready to travel to Lithuania. No additional health certificate or endorsement is needed for EU-to-EU movement.
Vienna to Vilnius: routes and pet policies
Vilnius International Airport (VNO) and Kaunas (KUN) are Lithuania’s main airports. Ryanair and Wizz Air both run Vienna to Vilnius routes, and both accept small pets in the cabin subject to their standard size and weight limits. Budget flights on these carriers are a practical option for small dogs and cats.
For larger pets travelling as cargo, LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw and Austrian Airlines via connecting hubs are the appropriate carriers. LOT operates cargo services to Lithuanian destinations and Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is a well-equipped hub for live animal cargo in Central Europe.
FAQ
Common questions
No. For personal companion animals moving between EU member states, the EU pet passport is the sole required document. Lithuania does not require an additional health certificate for pets arriving from Austria. The EU pet passport, with valid microchip and current rabies vaccination, covers the entry requirements.
No. Ryanair carries pets in the cabin only, within a small carrier that fits under the seat. There is no cargo pet service on Ryanair. For a dog that cannot fit in the cabin, use a carrier with a hold cargo service, such as LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw or Austrian Airlines with a Lufthansa Group connection.
Lithuania has breed-specific legislation that covers several types including dogs of Pit Bull type. These rules require registration, leash and muzzle requirements in public, and other restrictions. They do not prevent you bringing a restricted breed into Lithuania, but you will need to comply with registration and control requirements once resident. Check with the State Food and Veterinary Service (vmvt.lt) for the current list.