Hungary Pet Import Requirements

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Prepared by , International Animal Health Consultant

Import Requirements

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 6 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

EU rules that apply in Hungary

Who is in charge

Where your pet travels from

GroupWhat appliesOrigins
EU countries (movement between Member States)Pet dogs and cats moving between Member States travel on an EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian, with microchip and valid rabies vaccination (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, Article 11). Tapeworm treatment applies only for dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway. SourceEU Member States
Listed third countries and territories, Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (Article 17(1)(a) of 2026/131)No rabies antibody titration test needed. The EC travellers' points of entry page also exempts these origins (and Norway) from the obligation to enter through a designated travellers' point of entry. SourceAndorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City State
Listed third countries and territories, Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (Article 17(1)(b) of 2026/131)No rabies antibody titration test needed. Animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination still required; entry through a travellers' point of entry with documentary and identity checks. Montenegro and Serbia were added by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228. The EUR-Lex text of 2026/636 lists the USA as including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. SourceAscension Island, United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Canada, Chile, Curaçao, Fiji, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, Montenegro, Montserrat, North Macedonia, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Serbia, Singapore, Saint Helena, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United States of America, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna
Non-listed third countries and territoriesRabies 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. Sourceall other countries and territories
  • Pets from third countries or territories listed in Annex I or Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 do not need a rabies antibody titration test (the page adds in brackets that Annex II was amended by 2026/1228 to add Montenegro and Serbia); pets from all other third countries do. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • Montenegro and Serbia were added to Annex II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (titre-test exempt list) by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228, and are shown in Annex II on the EC listing page. The exact start date (18 or 19 June 2026) was not confirmed on EUR-Lex in this pass; it does not affect moves from October 2026 onwards. Applies to dogs and cats from Montenegro and Serbia.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • Annex I countries (Article 17(1)(a) of 2026/131) are those that applied and showed they apply pet rules equivalent to the EU's own; Annex II countries (Article 17(1)(b)) qualify on rabies surveillance and control criteria. Both are exempt from the titre test; only Annex I origins are also exempt from entering through a travellers' point of entry (Article 15(a)). Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026

Import permit

  • Not required (EU level): the European Commission sets out the conditions that must be met for a pet dog, cat or ferret to move from a non-EU country into an EU country (travel with the owner, at most 5 animals, microchip, health, rabies vaccination, titre test where applicable, tapeworm treatment for some destinations, animal health certificate and declaration, travellers' point of entry); no permit is among them. National files must still settle any national permit (for example a breed or hybrid licence). Applies to pet dogs, cats and ferrets moved from non-EU countries into the EU (non-commercial).
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 2 October 2026
  • At EU level a permit is used only by way of exception. Article 29 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 lets a Member State, in exceptional situations, authorise entry of pets that do NOT comply with the conditions in Articles 7 to 20, on a permit from the destination Member State (applied for in advance or, by derogation in Article 29(2), granted on arrival), with possible isolation under official supervision of up to six months. Article 15(b) also uses a permit, only for pet dogs moved by military, law-enforcement or search-and-rescue teams that enter other than through a travellers' point of entry. An ordinary compliant pet does not need one. Applies to pet dogs, cats and ferrets that do not meet the EU entry conditions.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 2 October 2026

Microchip

  • Each pet must be identified with an implanted microchip meeting the technical specifications in Article 70a of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035. Neither the EC pages nor 2026/131 name ISO 11784/11785 directly; the standard is set by reference to Article 70a. Exceptions: the same EC page accepts a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011, and a microchip that does not meet Article 70a is accepted if the owner provides a reader on request (Article 13(1)(b) of 2026/131; see below).
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • The rabies vaccine must not be given before the microchip is implanted or read (same day is acceptable).
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • If a pet from a non-EU country has a microchip that does not meet the EU technical requirements, the owner must provide a reader so EU authorities can check it. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    FAQs (dogs, cats and ferrets), checked 1 October 2026
  • For non-commercial movements between EU countries, the microchip must contain the country code from 1 January 2028. The same FAQ lists exceptions: pets microchipped before 22 April 2026 under Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 need not be re-chipped, and pets from non-EU countries on a short stay identified under their own national rules do not need a country-code chip (Article 7(2)(a) of 2026/131 also deems transponders implanted before 1 January 2028 without the country code compliant). Applies to dogs and cats moving between Member States.
    FAQs (dogs, cats and ferrets), checked 1 October 2026
  • Article 7(1)(b) of 2026/131 (identification for movements between Member States): if the transponder does not meet the Article 70a technical requirements, the owner or authorised person must provide a reader on request. Applies to dogs and cats moving between Member States.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026

Rabies vaccination

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
  • 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
  • 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 90-day wait does not apply when an EU-resident pet returns and its passport shows a favourable titre test done before it left the EU. Applies to EU-resident dogs and cats returning from non-listed third countries.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026

Health certificate

  • Pets entering from third countries need an EU animal health certificate completed and issued by an official or authorised veterinarian in the country of dispatch and then endorsed by that country's competent authority. Exceptions on the same page (Article 20 of 2026/131): a pet accompanied by a pet passport issued in an Annex I country, and an EU-resident pet re-entering on its EU pet passport (see topic other), need no certificate. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • The certificate is valid for 10 days from issue by the official veterinarian until the documentary and identity checks at the travellers' point of entry; for transport by sea the 10 days are extended by the length of the sea journey. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • For onward travel to other EU countries the certificate is valid for 6 months from the entry checks, or until the rabies vaccination expires if earlier. Applies to dogs and cats entering from third countries and travelling onward within the EU.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • The certificate must be accompanied by a written declaration from the owner or authorised person that the movement is non-commercial (model in Part 2 of Annex V to 2026/705). Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • Transitional rule: old-model certificates (Annex IV to 577/2013) issued before 1 October 2026 are accepted until 31 March 2027. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705 of 20 March 2026 establishing model identification documents and model declarations, checked 1 October 2026
  • The EC page confirms that old-model certificates remain valid only if issued before 1 October 2026 (end date 31 March 2027 is in Article 6 of 2026/705). Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • Article 6(1) of 2026/705: an old-model passport (Part 1 of Annex III to 577/2013) is deemed to comply with the new model passport where it was issued before 1 January 2028, for non-commercial movements into a Member State from another Member State. Article 6(2) gives the same rule for old Part 3 passports used for movements from third countries or territories listed in Annex I to 2026/636. Applies to dogs and cats moving with an EU pet passport.
    Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705 of 20 March 2026 establishing model identification documents and model declarations, checked 1 October 2026
  • Article 18(1) of 2026/131: the animal health certificate is valid for 6 months from the entry checks at the travellers' point of entry, or until the rabies vaccination expires if earlier. Applies to dogs and cats entering from third countries.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026

Other vaccines and tests

Parasite treatment

  • Dogs (not cats) must be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis before entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway. Dogs moving directly between these disease-free countries are exempt (Article 10(1) of 2026/131 and the EC 'Travelling with a pet within the EU' page). Article 16 of 2026/131 (dogs from Annex I countries) and Article 10(2) (dogs from other Member States) allow an alternative regular-treatment scheme where the destination Member State has authorised it and says so on a dedicated website. Applies to dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026
  • The tapeworm treatment must be given by a veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours before scheduled entry. Applies to dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway.
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026

Quarantine

  • Under EU rules quarantine is tied to non-compliance: a pet that fails the entry checks may be returned to the country of departure, quarantined until it complies, or, if neither is possible, euthanised (Your Europe, last checked 1 September 2026). Separately, Article 29 of 2026/131 lets a Member State admit a non-compliant pet on a permit that may include isolation under official supervision for up to six months. The entry measures for a compliant pet (Article 14 of 2026/131, see other_vaccines_and_tests) include no quarantine. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    EU rules on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU, checked 1 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

  • Pets from third countries must enter through a travellers' point of entry designated by the Member State (Article 15 of 2026/131, with listed exceptions). Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026
  • The EC publishes each Member State's travellers' points of entry. Pets from Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Vatican City State are exempt from using them. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Travellers' points of entry, checked 1 October 2026

Minimum age

  • Young unvaccinated (or not yet fully protected) dogs and cats cannot enter the EU from any non-EU country. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
    Young Animals, checked 1 October 2026
  • Between Member States only, a destination country may allow young pets under 12 weeks unvaccinated, or 12 to 16 weeks vaccinated but within the 21-day wait (Article 9 of 2026/131). The EC table (checked 1 October 2026) lists Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland as accepting them for non-commercial moves. Applies to young dogs and cats moving between Member States.
    Young Animals, checked 1 October 2026
  • Article 9 of 2026/131 defines the young-animal derogation for movement from another Member State. Applies to young dogs and cats moving between Member States.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026

How many pets

How your pet may travel

  • The pet must travel with its owner; if the owner cannot travel at the same time, an authorised person may move it, with the owner travelling within 5 days before or after, confirmed by a written declaration attached to the passport (model in Annex V, Part 1 to 2026/705).
    Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 1 October 2026

Other conditions

  • Between Member States, pets must carry an EU pet passport (Article 11(1) of 2026/131). The EC guidance page says it is completed and issued by an authorised veterinarian. Exception (Article 12 of 2026/131): a pet whose owner lives in a third country and that entered the EU on an animal health certificate may move on to another Member State with that certificate while it is valid. Applies to dogs and cats moving between Member States.
    Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026
  • EU-resident pets returning after a short stay outside the EU may re-enter on their EU pet passport (instead of a certificate) if it shows rabies vaccination and any needed titre test were done before leaving; Article 20(b) of 2026/131 adds that the vaccination must still be valid on return. Applies to EU-resident dogs and cats returning from third countries.
    FAQs (dogs, cats and ferrets), checked 1 October 2026

Rules set by Hungary

Who is in charge

  • Compliance with the national pet-movement rules is checked by the district office (járási hivatal, part of the county government office), per 21/2015. (IV. 30.) FM rendelet (Hungarian decree on non-commercial movement of pets), Nemzeti Jogszabálytár version shown dated 1 January 2023, which still cites the repealed Regulation (EU) 576/2013. NÉBIH is the central authority that publishes the guidance. Applies to dogs and cats entering Hungary (non-commercial).
    21/2015. (IV. 30.) FM rendelet (non-commercial movement of pets), checked 1 October 2026

Import permit

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Parasite treatment

  • Not required: NÉBIH lists tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment only for travel to Finland, the UK, Ireland, Malta and Norway; Hungary is not among the countries requiring it. (The page still cites the older Regulation 2018/878 list; the current EU list is in eu-common.json.) Applies to dogs entering Hungary.
    Kedvtelésből tartott állatok utaztatására vonatkozó tájékoztató, checked 6 October 2026

Quarantine

  • Where requirements are not met, the district office returns the animal to its place of origin, places it in quarantine under official supervision until the animal health conditions are met, or, if neither is possible, has it put down by a vet (21/2015. (IV. 30.) FM rendelet (Hungarian decree on non-commercial movement of pets), Nemzeti Jogszabálytár version shown dated 1 January 2023, which still cites the repealed Regulation (EU) 576/2013, 10. § (3)). The decree provides quarantine only as a measure for non-compliant pets; it does not state in terms that compliant pets are free of quarantine. Applies to non-compliant dogs and cats.
    21/2015. (IV. 30.) FM rendelet (non-commercial movement of pets), checked 1 October 2026
  • The costs of these measures (return, quarantine, euthanasia, isolation) are borne by the owner (10. § (5) of the same decree). Applies to non-compliant dogs and cats.
    21/2015. (IV. 30.) FM rendelet (non-commercial movement of pets), checked 1 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

  • Pets moved non-commercially from third countries must enter the EU through travellers' points of entry designated by the Member States, where the competent authorities carry out documentary and identity checks (NÉBIH guidance, last updated 2 July 2026). Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Kedvtelésből tartott állatok utaztatására vonatkozó tájékoztató, checked 6 October 2026
  • On entry the owner must report for checks to the competent authority present at the point of entry. No advance-notice rule for non-commercial pets is stated (the decree's 15-day advance application applies only to military and search-and-rescue dogs using other crossings). Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Kedvtelésből tartott állatok utaztatására vonatkozó tájékoztató, checked 6 October 2026
  • Hungary's travellers' points of entry list, published on the European Commission page (file dated 2017, no date inside): road Beregsurány, Lónya, Barabás, Tiszabecs, Záhony (Ukraine) and Bácsalmás, Hercegszántó, Röszke, Tiszasziget, Tompa (Serbia); rail Eperjeske, Záhony, Kelebia, Röszke; air Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, Debrecen, Sármellék; river Mohács, Baja, Szeged, Drávaszabolcs. Check hours before routing. Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Hungarian entry points, checked 1 October 2026

Minimum age

  • NÉBIH (guidance updated 2 July 2026): bringing young dogs without a valid rabies vaccination into Hungary is not permitted, for commercial or non-commercial purposes. In practice the earliest age is 15 weeks (12-week vaccination plus 21 days); from non-listed third countries about 7 months because of the titre test and 3-month wait. Applies to young dogs (all origins).
    Kedvtelésből tartott állatok utaztatására vonatkozó tájékoztató, checked 6 October 2026
  • The European Commission's young-animals table (columns for Article 9 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 and Articles 54 and 56 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688) shows Hungary answering No in both columns, i.e. Hungary does not accept young dogs, cats or ferrets (under 12 weeks unvaccinated, or 12 to 16 weeks not yet validly vaccinated). This covers cats as well as dogs. Applies to young dogs and cats moving from other EU Member States.
    Young animals, checked 6 October 2026

Banned and restricted breeds

  • Not required: NÉBIH states that a dog is classed as dangerous not by breed but individually, based on its own behaviour and acts; no breed-based ban. A dog individually declared dangerous may be kept only with a permit, neutered and microchipped, and in public only muzzled on a secure lead. (Undated NÉBIH article on the animal-welfare rules in force from 1 January 2013; the old directory claim of a pit bull ban under Decree 35/1997 is not supported by this official text.) Applies to dogs entering and kept in Hungary.
    Új jogi szabályozás a felelős állattartásért, checked 1 October 2026

Official fees

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Other conditions

  • Dogs over four months old may be kept in Hungary only if microchipped, and microchipped dogs are recorded in the national dog database. Changes (new owner, new place of keeping, death) must be recorded by a vet within 8 days; data changes are free. Applies to dogs kept in Hungary, including dogs that have moved there (undated NÉBIH article on rules in force from 1 January 2013). Applies to dogs kept in Hungary, including newly arrived dogs.
    Új jogi szabályozás a felelős állattartásért, checked 1 October 2026
  • EU pet passports in Hungary are issued by private (service) vets and registered in the petvetdata.hu database. Applies to dogs and cats resident in Hungary.
    Kedvtelésből tartott állatok utaztatására vonatkozó tájékoztató, checked 6 October 2026
  • Hungary's laboratory approved for rabies antibody titre tests is at the NÉBIH Animal Health Diagnostic Directorate; the sampling vet orders the test through the LABOR electronic ordering system. Applies to pets needing a titre test sampled in Hungary.
    Kedvtelésből tartott állatok utaztatására vonatkozó tájékoztató, checked 6 October 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Rabies vaccination is the one vaccination the EU rules require. The pet must have been at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated, and a primary rabies vaccination becomes valid 21 days after the vaccination protocol is completed. The pet must also be identified with an implanted microchip, and the rabies vaccine must not be given before the microchip is implanted or read.

Not for a compliant pet. Where requirements are not met, the district office returns the animal to its place of origin, places it in quarantine under official supervision until the animal health conditions are met, or, if neither is possible, has it put down by a vet. The owner bears the costs of these measures.

It depends on where the pet is coming from. Pets from third countries listed in Annex I or Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 do not need a rabies antibody titration test, and pets from all other third countries do. The result must show at least 0.5 IU/ml.

NÉBIH states that a dog is classed as dangerous individually, based on its own behaviour and acts, not by breed, so there is no breed-based ban.

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