CR
Costa Rica
✈️
DE
Germany
Pet Transport from Costa Rica to Germany
See key factsQuarantine on arrival
Moderate routeExpert coordination essential
20-26 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
Official rules on this page checked
Which Germany rules depend on a pet coming from Costa Rica?
The EU sorts non-EU countries into groups, and Costa Rica falls in “Non-listed third countries and territories”.
Rabies antibody titration test required: sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after primary vaccination and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued, tested in an EU-designated laboratory, result at least 0.5 IU/ml. The 90-day wait does not apply to re-entry of an EU-resident pet whose passport documents a favourable test done before leaving the EU. Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Rabies titre test: Where required (non-listed origins), the test must measure a level of neutralising antibody to rabies virus in serum of at least 0.5 IU/ml, done in a designated laboratory. Neither the EC page nor 2026/131 (which refers to point 1 of Annex XXI to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692) names a test method such as FAVN or RFFIT. Applies to dogs and cats from non-listed third countries.
Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The test must be done by an official laboratory designated under Article 37 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, or by a laboratory in a third country listed in Annex VIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 designated in line with Article 37(4) and (5) of that Regulation; only laboratories specifically accredited for the method may do it, so the laboratory need not be in the EU. The EC publishes the lists of designated laboratories. Applies to dogs and cats from non-listed third countries.
Designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The blood sample must be taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the primary vaccination (or within a current valid vaccination series) and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued. Applies to dogs and cats from non-listed third countries.
Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Germany, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Germany guide.
What does Costa Rica require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: Exports of dogs and cats: the private veterinarian who inspects the pet prepares the export certificate to the destination country's requirements, then SENASA veterinarians review and sign it, validating it as a Costa Rican Government document (SENASA news item, 8 April 2022). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Costa Rica.
SENASA recuerda trámite para salida de perros y gatos desde Costa Rica (8 April 2022), checked 7 October 2026 - Export health certificate: MAG/SENASA reminder of 18 December 2025: the owner takes the pet to an authorised private veterinarian for the clinical assessment; that vet checks the destination country's requirements and issues the export certificate, and the official SENASA veterinarian reviews it and confirms compliance. Once the certificate is signed the pet may leave. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Costa Rica.
Si va a viajar con su mascota, recuerde verificar los requisitos de exportación (18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026 - Other conditions: The export certificate fee is paid under the SENASA tariff decree, code C.16, and the user must show the vaccination card and any document the destination requires. If the destination needs an additional certificate model, the user arranges both documents. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Costa Rica.
Si va a viajar con su mascota, recuerde verificar los requisitos de exportación (18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026 - Other conditions: SENASA Tarifario 2026 (valid 1 April 2026 to 31 January 2027): code C.16, certificate for the export of animals, products and non-edible by-products, costs CRC 17,322 with 0% VAT. The MAG reminder of 18 December 2025 names C.16 as the code for pet exports. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Costa Rica.
Tarifario 2026, rige a partir del 01 abril 2026, checked 7 October 2026 - Other conditions: SENASA's guide for movements to EU member states (instruction DCA-PG-07-IN-001 V06, in force 17 February 2020, so an older document) says the EU does not allow dogs, cats and ferrets under 7 months from non-listed countries, Costa Rica among them. EU rules themselves are in eu-common.json. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Costa Rica for the EU.
DCA-PG-07-IN-001 Guía para el desplazamiento sin ánimo comercial de mascotas a la UE (V06, 17 February 2020), checked 7 October 2026
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
EMIRATES
Emirates
BRITISH
British Airways
SINGAPORE
Singapore Airlines
CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific
AIR FRANCE
Air France
KLM
KLM
FAQ
Common questions about Costa Rica to Germany pet transport
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Yes, and the date the clock starts from is the part people get wrong. Costa Rica is not a listed third country for EU pet travel, so the pet needs a rabies antibody test of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory, with the blood drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The three-month wait then runs from the date the blood was sampled, not the date the result comes back. Laboratories can take two to four weeks to report, so counting from the result adds a month you do not owe. Source: European Commission, movement of pet animals.
Yes, cats can be transported from Costa Rica to Germany. The same microchip, vaccination, and health certificate requirements apply as for dogs, though some rules (such as tapeworm treatment) apply to dogs only. Check the full requirements for cats with the destination authority.
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Route at a glance
FromCosta Rica
ToGermany
Prep time20-26 weeks
ComplexityModerate
Related routes
Country and airline guides
Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- European Commission · European Commission, movement of pet animals
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations
- SENASA Costa Rica · Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal, Costa Rica