Slovakia 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 Slovakia

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 Slovakia

Who is in charge

  • ŠVPS (State Veterinary and Food Administration) is the competent authority. At a travellers' point of entry the owner must contact the competent authority present there for the documentary and identity check (ŠVPS third-country page, dated 11 July 2023). Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Pricestovanie alebo návrat z tretích krajín do EÚ, 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 for Slovakia: ŠVPS lists Echinococcus multilocularis treatment only as an extra requirement for dogs entering Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland. Slovakia has no national tapeworm rule. Applies to dogs entering Slovakia.
    Cestovanie so psom, mačkou, fretkou v EÚ, checked 1 October 2026

Quarantine

  • For non-compliant pets ŠVPS lists refusal of entry, quarantine in a state facility at the owner's expense (plus extra treatment, testing and care costs), or euthanasia at the owner's expense. The page does not state either way whether compliant pets face any quarantine. Applies to non-compliant dogs and cats from third countries.
    Pricestovanie alebo návrat z tretích krajín do EÚ, checked 1 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

  • Pets from third countries must pass through a travellers' point of entry designated by the Member States; the owner contacts the competent authority there on entry. No advance notice to the authority is mentioned. Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Pricestovanie alebo návrat z tretích krajín do EÚ, checked 1 October 2026
  • ŠVPS list of travellers' points of entry for pets other than birds (dated October 2017, issued under Article 34(3) of Regulation (EU) 576/2013): airports Bratislava, Košice, Piešťany, Poprad, Sliač and Žilina; railway Čierna nad Tisou; road crossings Ubľa, Veľké Slemence and Vyšné Nemecké. The PDF is a scan; the list was read from the rendered page in an earlier pass. On 1 October 2026 this same file is still the one the European Commission's travellers' points of entry page links for Slovakia, and the ŠVPS movement page (updated 24 May 2026) still links its 2017 list; no newer Slovak list was found on either site. Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    List of entry points for pets excluding birds in the Slovak Republic (October 2017), checked 1 October 2026
  • European Commission travellers' points of entry page (read 1 October 2026): dogs, cats and ferrets moved non-commercially into an EU country from a non-EU country must enter through the travellers' points of entry designated by each EU country; for Slovakia the page links the ŠVPS October 2017 list. Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Travellers' points of entry (dogs, cats and ferrets), checked 1 October 2026
  • ŠVPS movement page (updated 24 May 2026): pets arriving from a third country are subject to document and identity checks by the competent authorities at the point of entry into the EU. Applies to dogs and cats arriving from non-EU countries (non-commercial).
    Premiestňovanie, dovoz/vývoz spoločenských zvierat, checked 6 October 2026

Minimum age

  • From third countries: Slovakia does not apply the young-animal derogation, so young pets without a valid rabies vaccination cannot travel non-commercially into Slovakia from a non-EU country (ŠVPS page dated 11 July 2023; consistent with the EU-wide rule in eu-common). Applies to young dogs and cats from third countries.
    Pricestovanie alebo návrat z tretích krajín do EÚ, checked 1 October 2026
  • From other EU Member States: Slovakia applies the young-animal derogation, so a young pet without a valid rabies vaccination (under 12 weeks unvaccinated, or 12 to 16 weeks within the 21-day wait) may enter Slovakia from an EU country if the other EU conditions are met (signed declaration, or accompanied by its vaccinated mother). ŠVPS page dated 11 July 2023, written under Regulation (EU) 576/2013. Applies to young dogs and cats moving from other EU Member States.
    Cestovanie so psom, mačkou, fretkou v EÚ, checked 1 October 2026

Banned and restricted breeds

  • Not required: ŠVPS states Slovakia has no special requirements for particular breeds and entry conditions do not differ by breed. (The breed list on the same page is only examples of breeds other countries often restrict.) Applies to all dogs entering Slovakia.
    Pricestovanie alebo návrat z tretích krajín do EÚ, checked 1 October 2026
  • Not required: Slovakia has no special rules on the entry or movement of animals with cropped ears or tails or other prohibited alterations. Applies to dogs with cropped ears or tails.
    Cestovanie so psom, mačkou, fretkou v EÚ, checked 1 October 2026

Official fees

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

Other conditions

  • Since 1 September 2018 dog owners in Slovakia must have their dogs microchipped at their own cost (Act 39/2007 on veterinary care); a dog must be chipped by 12 weeks of age or before a change of owner, and the private vet enters it in the Central Register of Pet Animals (CRSZ) within 24 hours (ŠVPS page updated 26 May 2026). Fine for an unchipped dog: up to EUR 50. Applies to dogs kept in Slovakia.
    Čipovanie psov, checked 1 October 2026
  • Municipal dog register: any dog kept continuously in Slovakia for more than 90 days must be entered in the municipal dog register; the keeper must register it within 30 days after those 90 days, where the dog mainly lives that year (Act 282/2002 Coll., §3(1), version in force from 1 January 2022 on the Slov-Lex static portal). Applies to dogs kept in Slovakia, including dogs brought from abroad.
    Zákon č. 282/2002 Z. z., ktorým sa upravujú niektoré podmienky držania psov, checked 1 October 2026
  • Central Register of Pet Animals (CRSZ), Act 39/2007 on veterinary care §19(9), version in force from 1 January 2026: the owner of a dog kept in Slovakia must have it microchipped before its first change of owner and at the latest by 12 weeks of age, and have the dog's and owner's details entered in the CRSZ. The duty to have the dog entered in the CRSZ applies to any dog kept in Slovakia; the Act sets no separate period for an adult dog brought in from abroad already microchipped. Applies to dogs kept in Slovakia, including dogs brought from abroad.
    Zákon č. 39/2007 Z. z. o veterinárnej starostlivosti (version in force from 1 January 2026), checked 1 October 2026
  • Act 39/2007 §19(3): a pet animal that is being moved must be identified, accompanied by a pet passport, and have its identification data registered in the CRSZ (run by the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Slovak Republic). Applies to dogs and cats moved into or out of Slovakia.
    Zákon č. 39/2007 Z. z. o veterinárnej starostlivosti (version in force from 1 January 2026), checked 1 October 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The EU entry measures for a compliant pet include no quarantine. For non-compliant pets, ŠVPS lists refusal of entry, quarantine in a state facility at the owner’s expense, or euthanasia at the owner’s expense.

Only if it comes from a non-EU country that is not on the EU’s exempt lists. The test must show at least 0.5 IU/ml, with the sample taken at least 30 days after the primary vaccination and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued.

ŠVPS states that Slovakia has no special requirements for particular breeds and that entry conditions do not differ by breed.

That depends on the origin. Where a titre test applies, the sample must be taken at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued.

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