DE
Germany
✈️
DO
Dominican Republic
Pet Transport from Germany to Dominican Republic: 2026 Field Guide
4-6 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Germany to Dominican Republic
typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
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Overview
A move from Germany to Dominican Republic with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect about 4-6 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
This route does not call for a rabies titre test. Read on for the requirements, timing and carrier options for this route.
Step by step
The Germany to Dominican Republic process
1
First step. Must be completed before any rabies vaccination to ensure the vaccination is recognised.
Confirm or implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Germany
2
At least 5 weeks before travel. Administer a booster if the vaccination has lapsed and wait the full 30 days.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and given at least 30 days before planned Dominican Republic entry.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Germany
3
Can coincide with the rabies check. DGAG inspectors check all vaccination records on arrival at SDQ.
Ensure DHPP vaccination (dogs) is current. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Germany
4
Within 10 days of cargo check-in. Document product name, date, and dose.
Internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 10 days of departure.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Germany
5
4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Book cargo from FRA or MUC to SDQ via Madrid or Amsterdam.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
6
Within 15 days of departure (the Dominican Republic allows 15 days, longer than the EU standard of 10). Issue the certificate within 10-12 days of travel to be safe.
Amtstierarzt examination and state-endorsed AHC.
Responsible: Amtstierarzt at your local Veterinaramt
7
48 hours before departure.
Notify DGAG of arrival at SDQ 48 hours before your flight.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
8
Travel day.
Travel day: present all original documents at cargo check-in. Allow 3-4 hours before scheduled departure.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Checklist
Dominican Republic: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip. Must be in place and readable before travel. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry. An expired vaccination or one given fewer than 30 days before arrival will not be accepted. Source: DGAG (Direccion General de Ganaderia), agricultura.gob.do. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies antibody titre test for companion pets from Germany. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for pets arriving with compliant documentation. DGAG veterinary inspection at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo, on arrival. |
| Import permit | Not required for personal companion pets (up to five animals with their owner). |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued within 15 days of travel. Must include owner's full name and address, plus the animal's name, breed, sex, colour, age, and microchip number. Dogs: DHPP vaccination (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus) must be current. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccinations must be current. Source: DGAG, agricultura.gob.do. |
Leaving Germany
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No export permit required for companion cats and dogs leaving Germany. |
| Veterinary inspection | Clinical examination by the Amtstierarzt within 10 days of departure. Book in advance as state official vet appointments can be in high demand. |
| Health certificate | Official AHC for non-EU destinations, issued by the local Amtstierarzt (official vet at the Veterinaramt) and endorsed by the competent state authority. The endorsing body varies by Bundesland (for example LAVES in Lower Saxony, CVUA-MEL in North Rhine-Westphalia, LAVET in Bavaria). Valid for 10 days from issue; the Dominican Republic accepts certificates up to 15 days old. Source: BVL (bvl.bund.de). |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo fees FRA or MUC to SDQ via hub: EUR 700-1,700 depending on pet weight, crate size, and routing |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (if not already owned): EUR 60-220 |
| 3 | Amtstierarzt examination and state-endorsed AHC: approximately EUR 80-200 |
| 4 | DHPP/rabies boosters and cat vaccines if due: EUR 50-120 |
| 5 | Antiparasitic treatment certificate: EUR 30-60 |
| 6 | Pet transport agent for cargo coordination (optional): EUR 300-700 |
| 7 | Total typical range: EUR 900-2,500 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination is strictly checked at SDQ. Verify your pet's vaccination date against the planned entry date before booking.
⚠ The AHC validity window for the Dominican Republic is 15 days from issue, not the standard EU 10 days. This gives more scheduling flexibility but does not remove the 48-hour notification requirement.
⚠ Contact your local Veterinaramt to book the Amtstierarzt appointment. State official vet availability varies by region and you should allow 1-2 weeks lead time for the appointment.
⚠ Notify the DGAG veterinary station at SDQ of your pet's arrival 48 hours before the flight. Arrivals without prior notification may face delays at the airport inspection.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Iberia
Cargo routing via Madrid (MAD) to Las Americas Airport (SDQ). Connect from Frankfurt FRA or Munich MUC to Madrid, then Iberia cargo to SDQ. Iberia serves Santo Domingo from Madrid and has established cargo handling for the route.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa Cargo operates from Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC. For Dominican Republic routing, Lufthansa connects to its partner network or code-share airlines with Caribbean coverage. Confirm current live animal cargo routing from FRA or MUC to SDQ.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Cargo routing via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to SDQ. Connect from FRA or MUC to AMS, then KLM to SDQ via its Caribbean network. KLM operates cargo services to the Dominican Republic and coordinates well with connecting segments from Germany.
What Dominican Republic requires
The path into Dominican Republic is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. No titre test is required for companion pets from Germany entering the Dominican Republic. A current rabies vaccination (given 30-120 days before entry) and a state-endorsed AHC are the main requirements.
No. There is no quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAG officers inspect pets at SDQ on arrival. If your documentation is correct, your pet is cleared on the same day.
The Amtstierarzt is the official government veterinarian at your local Veterinaramt (veterinary office of the district council). Search for your local Veterinaramt on your district’s council website. This is the only official vet authorised to issue AHCs for non-EU pet travel from Germany.
No direct cargo service connects FRA or MUC to SDQ. Options include Iberia cargo via Madrid (MAD) or KLM cargo via Amsterdam (AMS), both connecting from Frankfurt or Munich. Lufthansa Cargo may also have partner routing. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Four to six weeks for most pets with current vaccinations. The main constraint is the 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination. Schedule the Amtstierarzt appointment and the antiparasitic treatment within the validity window for your travel date.
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