Pet Transport Germany to Latvia: 2026 Guide

Moving a dog or cat from Germany to Latvia is very doable with the right preparation. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 1-3 weeks to be comfortable. There is …

1-3 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

1-3 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Low

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Germany to Latvia typically takes around 1-3 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

Before anything else. Chip must predate the rabies vaccination in the EU passport.

Confirm ISO 15-digit microchip

Responsible: German official vet

If a new vaccination: allow 21 days. Booster: no wait required.

EU pet passport updated with current rabies vaccination

Responsible: Official vet in Germany

4-6 weeks before travel. airBaltic direct routes are popular. Confirm pet policy.

Book cabin or cargo space on Germany-Riga route

Responsible: Owner or agent

Frankfurt to Riga direct: approximately 2.5 hours.

Travel day: present EU passport if checked on arrival at RIX

Responsible: Owner

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip required. Latvia enforces EU standards strictly.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. Minimum 21-day wait after first vaccination before entry. Boosters within the valid period do not require additional waiting.

Rabies titre test

Not required. Germany and Latvia are both EU member states. No rabies antibody titre test is needed under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.

Quarantine

Not required for compliant arrivals from other EU member states.

Import permit

Not required for non-commercial companion animal movements within the EU.

Health certificate

EU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU including Latvia.

Export permit

No export permit required for companion animals moving between EU member states.

Health certificate

EU pet passport issued by an official veterinarian in Germany. Records microchip number and rabies vaccination history. No separate export health certificate or endorsement required for intra-EU travel.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Germany to Latvia move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Lufthansa Frankfurt to Riga direct

Lufthansa operates Frankfurt (FRA) to Riga (RIX). Small pets under 8kg in carrier may travel in cabin. Larger dogs travel as checked baggage or cargo. Frankfurt Animal Lounge at FRA handles live animal cargo with IATA CEIV certification. A reliable option for both small and large pets.

Cargo and Cabin

airBaltic

airBaltic is the Latvian national carrier with a hub at Riga (RIX). airBaltic operates from several German cities including Berlin (BER), Hamburg (HAM), and Dusseldorf (DUS) to Riga. Cabin pets accepted under 8kg including carrier. Live animal cargo also available. airBaltic is the strongest direct option on this corridor.

Cargo and Cabin

Ryanair (cabin only)

Ryanair operates Germany-Riga routes from Berlin, Frankfurt Hahn, and other German bases. Small pets in cabin accepted (strict weight and dimension limits). No cargo or hold pet service on Ryanair. Only suitable for cats and very small dogs.

Cabin Only

Wizz Air (cabin only)

Wizz Air operates select Germany-Riga routes. Cabin pets accepted under their pet policy for small animals. No cargo service. Confirm exact size and weight limits before booking.

Cabin Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

EU pet passport (if not held): EUR 30-80 from German official vet

Cabin pet fee Germany to Riga: EUR 50-80 (budget carrier) or EUR 100-180 (full service)

Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 300-900 depending on size and airline

IATA-approved travel crate (for cargo): EUR 60-250

Total for small cabin pet: EUR 100-280

Total for large dog via cargo: EUR 500-1,400

Critical points

Latvia bans Pit Bull-type dogs. This is a national ban, not just a breed restriction. Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, and similar breeds cannot be imported into Latvia. If your dog is classified as a Pit Bull or mix, check Latvia's current list of banned breeds before travel.

airBaltic cabin pet limits are strict: the pet and carrier together must not exceed 8kg, and the carrier dimensions must fit under the seat. Oversized carriers will not be accepted at the gate.

The EU pet passport is only valid with the signature of an official vet (amtlicher Tierarzt). Confirm your passport meets this standard before travel.

Some German cities have no direct Riga service. Check routing options from your departure city; airBaltic's expanding German network may offer a more convenient connection than Frankfurt.

Latvia entry requirements at a glance

The requirements for Latvia are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.

Getting the details right

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Germany and Latvia are both EU member states. Latvia does not impose quarantine on pets arriving from other EU countries, provided the animal has a valid EU pet passport, ISO microchip, and current rabies vaccination. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013 and Latvian PVD guidance.

Latvia prohibits Pit Bull-type dogs. The ban specifically covers American Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds. Latvia also has restrictions on other potentially dangerous breeds requiring registration and muzzling in public (Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, and others). Check the full current list at pvd.gov.lv before travel.

For large dogs that must travel in cargo, Lufthansa via Frankfurt (FRA) is the strongest option. The Frankfurt Animal Lounge handles live animal cargo professionally, and Lufthansa has established procedures for pets in cargo. Confirm size limits and live animal availability when booking.

Yes. No titre test is required for cats travelling from Germany to Latvia. Both countries are in the EU. A valid EU pet passport with ISO microchip and current rabies vaccination is sufficient. Source: EU Pet Travel Scheme, Regulation 576/2013.

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