Pet Transport Dominican Republic to Germany: 2026 Guide
Moving a pet from the Dominican Republic to Germany requires the full EU unlisted country process. The Dominican Republic is not on the EU listed country register, which means a FAVN titre test, a 90-day wait from the successful blood draw …
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
DIGEGA and the EU health certificate from the Dominican Republic
The Dirección General de Ganadería (DIGEGA), operating under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, is the official authority for animal health certification. For EU export, a DIGEGA-authorised veterinarian issues the health certificate in EU-compatible format, and DIGEGA endorses it before departure.
Not all veterinary clinics in the Dominican Republic are set up for EU export health certificates. The DIGEGA or a local pet transport specialist can identify authorised practitioners. The certificate itself must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Germany.
DIGEGA’s endorsement process typically takes 2-5 working days. Build this into your timing: the vet appointment should be early enough in the 10-day window to allow for endorsement and still have days remaining for travel.
The Madrid hub: how most DR pets reach Germany
Santo Domingo Las Américas International (SDQ) is the main international airport in the Dominican Republic, with regular transatlantic services to Madrid via Iberia and Air Europa. Madrid Barajas (MAD) is the primary European hub for Caribbean-to-Europe cargo connections.
From Madrid, connections to Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin are available via Iberia partner carriers or Lufthansa Group. The full journey from SDQ to FRA via MAD is typically 11-13 hours including the connection.
For those based near Punta Cana (PUJ), Condor operates seasonal direct services from PUJ to Frankfurt. This route is mainly leisure-oriented, so confirm live animal cargo acceptance on your specific Condor flight before booking. When it is available, it removes the Madrid connection and reduces transit time by 2-3 hours.
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.
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.