DE
Germany
✈️
CR
Costa Rica
Pet Transport from Germany to Costa Rica
11
Sourced facts for this journey
8 Oct 2026
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Lufthansa flies Frankfurt to San José direct, about 12 hours and four times a week. Costa Rica wants the vet's examination within two weeks before travel, so time the German Veterinäramt appointment for that last fortnight. A pet sent as cargo needs a prior import permit arranged through a customs agency. Snub-nosed dogs face Lufthansa Cargo's temperature restrictions.
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Official rules on this page checked
What does Germany require for Costa Rica before the flight?
- Costa Rica asks for an official health certificate issued by the competent health authority of the country the pet leaves from.
Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (MAG, 18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026 - Costa Rica's agriculture ministry says the veterinarian's clinical examination must happen within the two weeks before the journey.
Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (MAG, 18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026 - For a pet that arrives as cargo, Costa Rica says a prior import permit must be arranged through a customs agency, on top of the other health requirements.
Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (MAG, 18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026 - The EU's 90 day wait after a titre test does not apply when a pet living in the EU returns with a passport showing a favourable test taken before it left the EU.
Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 7 October 2026 - In Munich, the city Veterinäramt issues the official veterinary health and vaccination certificates and transport certificates that a pet needs for a trip abroad.
Tiere im Ausland und bei Reisen (Landeshauptstadt München, Veterinäramt), checked 7 October 2026
Which airlines take pets from Germany to Costa Rica?
- On flights with a stopover in Frankfurt, Lufthansa Cargo offers an exclusive service for dogs and cats called Pet Premium.
Live Animals - Lufthansa Cargo, checked 7 October 2026 - Lufthansa Cargo takes pet bookings from private individuals only through a freight forwarder.
Live Animals - Lufthansa Cargo, checked 7 October 2026 - Lufthansa Cargo applies transport restrictions to snub-nosed dog breeds according to a temperature restriction list.
Live Animals - Lufthansa Cargo, checked 7 October 2026
Where does the journey connect and land?
- Lufthansa's Frankfurt to San José (Costa Rica) page shows a direct flight of about 12 hours, with 4 flights a week.
Flight from Frankfurt to San Jose, CR (FRA-SJO), checked 7 October 2026 - Lufthansa does not accept animals in the cargo hold on connecting flights via Munich, so a hold pet cannot change planes there.
Carriage of animals as excess baggage in the cargo hold, checked 7 October 2026
Where can the rabies blood test be done?
- For dogs and cats from countries that demand a rabies antibody (titre) test and that will return there, Costa Rica's agriculture ministry says the owner must carry the titre document for the later export procedure.
Conozca los requisitos sanitarios establecidos por SENASA para la importación de perros y gatos (MAG, 18 December 2025), checked 7 October 2026
Which Costa Rica rules depend on a pet coming from Germany?
Costa Rica sorts countries into 2 groups, and Germany falls in “All other origins”.
SENASA's general instruction for dogs and cats (IN-006 V11, in force 19 July 2024) and the MAG summary of 18 December 2025. One list of requirements for all origins, plus a titre document for pets from the EU, UK and EFTA that will return to their origin (section 5.7). Official source
The rules that apply to every pet entering Costa Rica, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Costa Rica guide.
What does Germany require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: Berlin example: apply to the district veterinary office three to four weeks before travel; fees are time-based under tariff 31050 of the Berlin VSGebO, from EUR 41 to EUR 615. Applies to dogs and cats leaving from Berlin (Treptow-Köpenick).
Reisen mit Heimtieren, checked 1 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Rhein-Erft-Kreis example: the district veterinary office charges EUR 35 to issue a health certificate for a stay abroad; it is valid for at most 10 days. Applies to dogs and cats leaving from Rhein-Erft-Kreis.
Gesundheitszeugnis für Auslandaufenthalte von Hunden/Katzen, checked 1 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Official veterinary health and vaccination certificates for pets travelling abroad are issued by the local veterinary office (Veterinäramt) of the city or district (example: Munich city Veterinäramt). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Germany for non-EU countries.
Tiere im Ausland und bei Reisen, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Entry rules for dogs and cats vary widely between non-EU destinations (blood tests, parasite treatment, entry permits); owners must check the destination's rules in advance. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Germany for non-EU countries.
Reisen mit Hund und Katze außerhalb der EU, checked 1 October 2026
FAQ
Common questions
Lufthansa's own page shows a direct Frankfurt to San José flight of about 12 hours, 4 times a week. Lufthansa Cargo offers Pet Premium on flights with a stopover in Frankfurt, and private individuals must book through a freight forwarder.
Not if it travels with you in the cabin or as checked baggage, because only the health certificate is then shown at the border inspection post. If it travels as cargo, Costa Rica says a prior import permit must be arranged through a customs agency.
Costa Rica asks for the examination within the two weeks before travel. In Germany the local Veterinäramt issues the official health certificate, and one district office says its certificate is valid for at most 10 days.
For pets from countries that demand a rabies titre and will return there, Costa Rica's agriculture ministry says the owner must carry the titre document for the later export procedure. The EU's 90 day wait does not apply when a pet living in the EU returns with a passport showing a favourable titre test taken before it left.
Lufthansa Cargo applies transport restrictions to snub-nosed dog breeds according to a temperature restriction list.
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Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations
- SENASA Costa Rica · Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal, Costa Rica