SE

Importing Your Pet to Sweden

Moderate to import
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by , International Animal Health Consultant

Sweden is an EU member state, so it applies the EU pet rules, which since 22 April 2026 are set by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. Jordbruksverket (the Swedish Board of Agriculture) publishes the pet entry rules, and Swedish Customs (Tullverket) handles the declaration at the border. Between member states a pet travels on an EU pet passport; from outside the EU it usually needs an EU animal health certificate.

Sweden has no tapeworm (deworming) requirement for dogs or cats, because the parasite already occurs in Sweden. Sweden also does not use the EU young-animal derogation: every dog entering from an EU country needs a valid rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older, followed by a 21-day wait, so about 15 weeks old at the earliest.

Pets arriving directly from a non-EU country must come in through Arlanda (Stockholm) or Landvetter (Gothenburg) airport. Swedish Customs says every dog or cat must always be declared when travelling to Sweden, even on a holiday trip. A dog bought abroad must then be registered in Jordbruksverket’s central dog register within 4 weeks of being brought into Sweden.

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 5 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

EU rules that apply in Sweden

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 Sweden

Who is in charge

  • The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) is Sweden's administrative authority for agriculture and fisheries, also works for animal welfare, and publishes the pet entry rules. Applies to dogs and cats.
    Om Jordbruksverket, checked 1 October 2026
  • At the first EU point of entry, customs check the animal and stamp the health certificate; in Sweden the owner declares the pet to Swedish Customs (Tullverket). Applies to dogs from listed non-EU countries.
    Ta in hundar från länder utanför EU där rabiessituationen dokumenteras och följs, checked 1 October 2026

Quarantine

Arrival points and notice

  • A pet from outside the EU must enter through a travellers' point of entry in the first EU country it reaches, where customs check it and stamp the health certificate (page last updated 18 August 2026). Applies to dogs and cats from listed non-EU countries.
    Ta in hundar från länder utanför EU där rabiessituationen dokumenteras och följs, checked 1 October 2026
  • After that, the pet may be brought into Sweden at any customs point, where the owner must declare it in the red channel. Applies to dogs from listed non-EU countries.
    Ta in hundar från länder utanför EU där rabiessituationen dokumenteras och följs, checked 1 October 2026
  • The same red-channel declaration applies to cats (page reviewed 18 August 2026). Applies to cats from listed non-EU countries.
    Ta in katter från länder utanför EU där rabiessituationen dokumenteras och följs, checked 1 October 2026
  • If the animal is not declared to customs it may be refused entry to Sweden or, in the worst case, euthanised immediately. Applies to dogs from non-EU countries.
    Ta in hundar från länder utanför EU där rabiessituationen dokumenteras och följs, checked 1 October 2026
  • Pets arriving directly in Sweden from a non-EU country must arrive via Arlanda (Stockholm) or Landvetter (Gothenburg) airport, the Swedish travellers' points of entry (Jordbruksverket page reviewed 18 August 2026). Applies to dogs and cats arriving directly from listed non-EU countries.
    Ta in hundar från länder utanför EU där rabiessituationen dokumenteras och följs, checked 1 October 2026
  • Swedish Customs: every dog or cat must always be declared to Tullverket when travelling to Sweden, even on a holiday trip. Applies to dogs and cats.
    Resa med hund eller katt, checked 1 October 2026
  • Swedish Customs: arriving directly from a non-EU country, the pet must be declared at Arlanda or Landvetter in the red channel, whether the owner travels with it or it is sent as cargo. Applies to dogs and cats arriving directly from non-EU countries.
    Resa med hund eller katt, checked 1 October 2026
  • Swedish Customs: from another EU country the pet is declared online in advance (EU residents travelling with their pet on an EU passport, then green channel) or in the red channel at the border; pets sent as cargo cannot be declared online. Applies to dogs and cats from EU countries.
    Resa med hund eller katt, checked 1 October 2026
  • Swedish Customs: no declaration is needed from Norway if the pet is microchipped (or tattooed) and has an EU or Norwegian pet passport; pets from Iceland and Switzerland are declared in the red channel at any border crossing. Applies to dogs and cats from Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
    Resa med hund eller katt, checked 1 October 2026

Minimum age

How many pets

Banned and restricted breeds

  • Not required: Sweden has no ban on keeping any individual dog breed (page reviewed 11 May 2026). Applies to dogs.
    Så sköter du din hund, checked 1 October 2026
  • Wolf and other wild-canid hybrids (first to fourth generation) may not be kept or sold in Sweden; from the fifth generation they count as domestic dogs. Applies to dogs.
    Så sköter du din hund, checked 1 October 2026
  • A dog whose ears were cropped abroad may not come to Sweden until the ears have fully healed and no longer need taping or a support frame. Applies to dogs.
    Så sköter du din hund, checked 1 October 2026

How your pet may travel

Official fees

  • Dog register fee: SEK 40 via the e-service, SEK 100 by paper form. Applies to dogs registered in Sweden.
    Märk och registrera hundar, checked 1 October 2026
  • Swedish Customs: no fees when a dog or cat bought in another EU country is brought to Sweden; a dog or cat bought, adopted or received as a gift from outside the EU may attract customs duty and VAT based on its value and freight costs. Applies to dogs and cats acquired abroad.
    Resa med hund eller katt, checked 1 October 2026

Other conditions

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Entry requirements from the UK post-Brexit

Great Britain is outside the EU, so a pet coming from the UK usually needs an EU animal health certificate. It is completed by an official or authorised vet and endorsed by the UK’s competent authority, and it is valid for 10 days from issue until the checks at the point of entry. The microchip must go in before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

A pet flying straight from the UK to Sweden must arrive at Arlanda or Landvetter and be declared in the red channel, whether the owner travels with it or it is sent as cargo. If the pet enters the EU somewhere else first, it is checked at that country’s travellers’ point of entry, and after that it may be brought into Sweden at any customs point, where you declare it in the red channel.

Tapeworm treatment: not required for Sweden

Jordbruksverket says Sweden has no tapeworm treatment requirement for dogs or cats entering from other countries, because the parasite already occurs in Sweden. It still recommends deworming before entry. The EU’s tapeworm rule covers dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, and Sweden is not on that list.

Frequently Asked Questions

No routine quarantine is required for compliant pets. Jordbruksverket says a dog with incorrect or incomplete documents may be refused entry or, at worst, euthanised, and in some cases it may be quarantined at the owner’s expense. There is no quarantine option for cats in Sweden.

Usually not. Pets from countries listed in Annex I or II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 need no rabies antibody test.

An unlisted origin is the exception: 0.5 IU/ml or better, sampled at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued, tested at a designated laboratory.

Worth saying plainly, because older guides still claim otherwise: Sweden does not require tapeworm treatment. The European Commission lists Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway for that, and Sweden is not among them.

Yes. Cats follow the same microchip, rabies vaccination and health certificate rules as dogs, and they must be declared to Swedish Customs in the same way. The difference is at the border: there is no quarantine option for cats, so a cat with incorrect papers may be refused entry.

From outside the EU, usually an EU animal health certificate, completed by an official or authorised vet in the country of dispatch and endorsed by that country’s competent authority. It is valid for 10 days from issue until the checks at the point of entry. From another EU country, the pet travels on its EU pet passport.

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Sweden

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Code: SE

Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

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