Moving a Pet from Latvia to Finland

Getting a pet from Latvia to Finland is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This is one of the more straightforward routes, and roughly 1-3 weeks is usually …

1-3 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

Get my free quote

Lead time needed

1-3 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Low

Airlines

3 carriers on this route

Start my quote

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Latvia to Finland 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 the rabies vaccination, at any point

Microchip implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Accredited veterinarian in Latvia

At least 21 days before travel

Rabies vaccination and EU pet passport issued or updated

Responsible: Official veterinarian authorised by PVD

Same appointment as vaccination

EU pet passport completed with microchip, vaccination, and vet details

Responsible: Official veterinarian in Latvia

4 to 8 weeks before travel

Book flights and notify airline of pet in cabin or cargo

Responsible: Owner or transport agent

On travel day

Travel to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)

Responsible: Owner or transport agent

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

Required. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Current and at least 21 days old after primary vaccination. Source: Ruokavirasto (Finnish Food Authority): ruokavirasto.fi.

Rabies titre test

Not required. Latvia is an EU member state. No titre test needed from EU countries.

Quarantine

No quarantine for compliant pets.

Import permit

Not required. EU pet passport serves as the entry document.

Health certificate

EU pet passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Issued by official vet.

Export permit

Not required. Latvia is an EU member state. No export permit is needed for non-commercial pet movements.

Health certificate

EU pet passport issued by an official veterinarian in Latvia, authorised by the Partikas un veterinarais dienests (PVD). Norway, Denmark, and Finland all accept the EU pet passport as the entry document. The passport records your pet's microchip, rabies vaccination history, and issuing vet details.

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

Pet Transport Global

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.

airBaltic

Direct Riga (RIX) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL). Regular service. Small pets in cabin, larger pets via cargo. Flight time approximately 1 hour. Advance booking for live animals required.

Cargo and Cabin

Finnair

Connects Helsinki (HEL) to Riga (RIX). Cargo available on this route. Finnair has a well-established live animal cargo programme.

Cargo and Cabin

Ryanair

Budget service on RIX to HEL. Cabin only for small pets. Does not accept live animal cargo.

Cabin Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

EU pet passport: EUR 50 to 100 (official vet fee)

Rabies vaccination update if due: EUR 40 to 80

Airline cabin fee (small pets): EUR 40 to 100 per flight

Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 200 to 500 depending on crate size and weight

IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 60 to 250

Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 200 to 500

Critical points

The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. This is a firm requirement. If a vet vaccinates before microchipping, the vaccination record is not tied to the chip and Finnish authorities may not accept it.

Finland does not require tapeworm treatment for dogs arriving from EU member states. This differs from Norway. Confirm the rules for your specific destination country before each trip.

The EU pet passport must be issued by a PVD-authorised official veterinarian in Latvia. Confirm the vet's authorisation status before your appointment.

Ruokavirasto (Finnish Food Authority) is the contact authority for any queries about Finnish import requirements. Check ruokavirasto.fi for the latest guidance before travel.

The rules for bringing a pet into Finland

Finland keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.

How to keep this move on track

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. Finland does not require tapeworm treatment for dogs arriving from EU member states. Tapeworm treatment is a requirement for entering Norway, not Finland. Your dog needs a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and EU pet passport.

Yes, provided it was issued by a PVD-authorised official veterinarian and records a current, valid rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel). The EU pet passport is the accepted entry document for Finland.

No. Latvia is an EU member state and Finland does not require a titre test for pets arriving from other EU countries. The 21-day wait after rabies vaccination is the only timing requirement.

Approximately one hour. It is one of the shorter Baltic-to-Nordic routes. Your pet’s time in the carrier or crate is brief, which makes this a low-stress journey for most animals if the documentation is in order and you book early.

Ready when you are

Move your pet

to Finland.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.