Planning a pet relocation from Canada to Germany is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-10 weeks of preparation …
Rabies titre testRequired for: Pets from unlisted third …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine. Penalty …
Import permitNo formal import permit. EU pet passport …
Health certificateRequired
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Canada to Germany
typically takes around 6-10 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Before any vaccinations. Must be done first.
Get your pet microchipped (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
At least 21 days before travel (after microchip)
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (RNATT blood test)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirements)
Obtain health certificate / veterinary clearance
Responsible: Official veterinarian
5
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space availability.
Book IATA-compliant flight and arrange pet cargo/cabin booking
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation
Responsible: You + airline cargo desk
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Standard EU 21-day wait from date of first vaccination before travel. No additional Germany-specific requirements beyond EU framework.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries (countries not on EU Annex II list). Not required for: Pets from EU member states, listed third countries (all P1 countries are listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait after blood draw
Quarantine
No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant
Import permit
No formal import permit. EU pet passport (intra-EU) or Animal Health Certificate (from third countries) serves as documentation.
Health certificate
Required
Export permit
No CFIA export permit required for personal pet exports. Some destination countries may require CFIA endorsement of health certificate.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Canada to Germany move gets missed.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
United Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin
Cabin Only
American Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport
Cabin and Cargo
Air Canada
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurized hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo/cabin fees (varies by carrier, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees (vaccinations, health certificate, microchip)
Government endorsement/USDA endorsement fee (if applicable)
Pet transport agent fee (if using a relocation service)
Critical points
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face cargo restrictions on most airlines. Check breed-specific policies before booking.
Microchip MUST be implanted before rabies vaccination. Vaccination given before microchip is invalid and the clock restarts.
The rules for bringing a pet into Germany
Germany keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
How to keep this move on track
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions
The process takes 6-10 weeks from start to finish. The rabies titre test requires a 3-6 month waiting period after the blood draw before your pet can travel, so start early.
No routine quarantine for pets entering Germany with the correct documentation. No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant
No formal import permit. EU pet passport (intra-EU) or Animal Health Certificate (from third countries) serves as documentation.
Required Your Canada vet must be approved to issue official veterinary certificates. The certificate must be issued within the timeframe required by Germany: usually 10 days before travel. Present the original at check-in.
Yes. Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries (countries not on EU Annex II list). Not required for: Pets from EU member states, listed third countries (all P1 countries are listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait after blood draw The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be valid. Start this process as early as possible.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Germany.
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