Pet Transport Dominican Republic to Germany: 2026 Guide
Bringing your dog or cat from Dominican Republic to Germany takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine, provided …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Dominican Republic to Germany
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Dominican Republic to Germany pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) - must precede all vaccinations
Responsible: Dominican Republic vet
First step. Chip before any rabies vaccination.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Dominican Republic vet
After microchipping. Wait at least 30 days before blood draw for titre test.
3
FAVN titre test blood draw at EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Dominican Republic vet + EU-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after vaccination. Ship sample to an EU-approved laboratory. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
4
90-day wait from the date of successful titre test result
Responsible: N/A
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. The 90-day clock starts from the blood draw date of the successful test.
5
Book cargo from Santo Domingo or Punta Cana to Germany
Responsible: Owner or agent
During the 90-day wait. Iberia via Madrid or Condor direct to FRA are the main options. Confirm live animal acceptance.
6
EU-format health certificate from DIGEGA-authorised vet
Responsible: DIGEGA-authorised vet + DIGEGA
Within 10 days of travel to Germany.
7
Travel to Germany
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. SDQ to FRA typically 11-13 hours via Madrid hub.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Germany
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since primary vaccination before titre test blood draw. Full vaccination records required.
Rabies titre test
Required. The Dominican Republic is an unlisted country for EU pet import. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. A 90-day wait from the date of the successful blood draw result must pass before entry into Germany (and the EU). Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals in Germany.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate from DIGEGA-authorised vet, endorsed by DIGEGA. Valid for 10 days as entry document.
Export permit (Dominican Republic)
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from the Dominican Republic.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory (blood draw plus processing): DOP 5,000-12,000 (approximately EUR 80-190) plus international sample shipping
EU health certificate from DIGEGA-authorised vet: DOP 2,000-6,000 (approximately EUR 32-96)
Cargo Santo Domingo to Germany (via Madrid or direct to FRA): EUR 500-1,800 depending on carrier and crate size
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 800-3,200 across a 5-7 month preparation period
Critical points to read before you book
The 90-day wait after a successful titre test is a hard legal minimum under EU regulations. It cannot be shortened. The clock runs from the blood draw date, not the date you receive the laboratory result.
Microchip before vaccination. If the chip is implanted after the rabies vaccination, the vaccination does not count for EU purposes and the sequence must restart from the beginning.
EU-approved laboratories for the FAVN test are mainly in Europe and North America. International sample shipping from the Dominican Republic requires correct storage and courier documentation. Confirm your vet can coordinate this.
Condor seasonal direct services to FRA operate mainly from Punta Cana (PUJ). If your origin is Santo Domingo (SDQ), the routing is different. Confirm the airport and carrier before booking.
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.
IBERIA
Iberia
Santo Domingo (SDQ) to Madrid (MAD), then MAD to Frankfurt (FRA) or other German cities via Iberia or partner carriers. Iberia Cargo handles live animal freight. Madrid is the main transatlantic hub for Caribbean-to-Europe pet moves.
Cargo Only
CONDOR
Condor
German leisure carrier with seasonal direct services between Dominican Republic airports and Frankfurt (FRA). Condor operates Punta Cana (PUJ) to FRA in particular. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on specific routes.
Cargo Only
AIR EUROPA
Air Europa
SDQ to Madrid (MAD) via Air Europa. Connections from MAD to Germany. Check live animal cargo policies on the transatlantic leg.
Cargo Only
KLM ROYAL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Connections from SDQ via Amsterdam (AMS) to German cities. KLM Cargo transatlantic live animal programme. AMS as the European hub.
Cargo Only
Germany entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for Germany are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Getting the details right
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.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions about Dominican Republic to Germany pet transport
DIGEGA stands for Dirección General de Ganadería, the General Directorate of Livestock under the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Agriculture. It is the competent authority for animal health and export certification. The EU requires that health certificates for pets entering from non-EU countries be issued and endorsed by the official government authority. DIGEGA plays this role for pets leaving the Dominican Republic.
Condor operates seasonal direct services between Punta Cana (PUJ) and Frankfurt (FRA). When these are available, they are the most direct option. From Santo Domingo (SDQ), most cargo routes to Germany go via Madrid (MAD) on Iberia or Air Europa. Confirm live animal acceptance on any specific flight before committing.
No. The Dominican Republic does not have a veterinary equivalence agreement with the EU. It is classified as an unlisted country for EU pet import purposes, and the full unlisted process (FAVN titre test plus 90-day mandatory wait) applies to all dogs and cats moving to Germany or any other EU member state.
Airline guides
Iberia
Condor
Air Europa
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Dominican Republic to Germany pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.