Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
Latvia and Germany are both EU member states, putting this move firmly into the straightforward category. The EU pet travel framework applies to both countries: microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport or AHC is all you need. No quarantine, no titre test, no import permit. The practical advantage for Latvian pet owners is that airBaltic, based at Riga International Airport (RIX), runs direct routes to Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and other German cities, making direct pet cargo or cabin travel relatively accessible.
Step by step
The Latvia to Germany process
1
Before any documentation. If not chipped, implant before vaccination.
Confirm microchip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant
Responsible: Latvian vet
2
First vaccination: 21 days before German entry. Booster within valid period: immediately valid.
Ensure rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Latvian vet
3
One appointment with an officially authorised Latvian vet. Quick and inexpensive.
Obtain or update EU pet passport
Responsible: Authorised Latvian vet (PVD-registered)
4
3-4 weeks before travel. Cabin pet spaces limited per flight.
Book airBaltic or Lufthansa flight from Riga to Germany and reserve pet space
Responsible: Owner
5
Travel day. Riga (RIX) to Frankfurt (FRA) is approximately 3 hours. Carry EU passport and, if larger pet, cargo booking confirmation.
Travel from Riga to Germany
Responsible: Owner + airline
Checklist
Germany: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit). Must precede rabies vaccination in the pet's record.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current. First vaccination requires 21 days before German entry. Boosters within the valid period of the previous vaccine are immediately valid.
Rabies titre test
Not required for EU-to-EU movements.
Quarantine
Not required.
Import permit
Not required for companion animals moving between EU member states.
Health certificate
EU pet passport or AHC endorsed by PVD, issued within 10 days of entry.
Leaving Latvia
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No export permit is required for companion dogs or cats leaving Latvia for another EU member state.
Health certificate
EU pet passport issued or updated by an officially authorised Latvian vet. If no EU passport is held, a single-use Animal Health Certificate (AHC) endorsed by the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia (PVD) is required, issued within 10 days of entry into Germany.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
EU pet passport issuance or update: EUR 30-80
2
Rabies vaccination booster (if due): EUR 20-60
3
IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 50-200
4
airBaltic cabin pet fee: EUR 30-70 per leg
5
airBaltic or Lufthansa cargo pet fee: EUR 150-600 depending on route and weight
6
Total typical range: EUR 150-800
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ airBaltic is based at Riga (RIX) and offers the most direct connections from Latvia to Germany. However, airBaltic cargo acceptance for larger pets varies by flight and season. Confirm cargo availability when booking.
⚠ Ryanair operates from Riga but does not reliably accept pets. Confirming the policy before booking any Ryanair flight is essential.
⚠ Several German states impose a local dog tax (Hundesteuer) and registration requirement. If you relocate permanently to Germany, register your dog with the local municipality within the required timeframe.
⚠ Germany's customs authority (Zoll) may check pets at the border. A mismatch between the chip number in the EU passport and the chip actually in the animal is the most common document problem. Ask your Latvian vet to scan and confirm the chip number before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
airBaltic
airBaltic is the hub carrier at Riga International Airport (RIX) and operates direct routes to Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Berlin (BER), Hamburg (HAM), and other German cities. This is the primary direct airline option from Riga to Germany. Small pets permitted in cabin; larger pets as cargo. Book cargo through the airBaltic cargo department.
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Lufthansa serves Riga-Frankfurt connections directly or via connecting services. Frankfurt is Lufthansa's primary hub with dedicated Animal Lounge facilities. Small pets allowed in cabin on intra-EU flights. Lufthansa Cargo at FRA is well-equipped for live animals.
Cabin and Cargo
Ryanair
Ryanair operates routes from Riga (RIX) to various German airports but does NOT accept pets in cabin or as cargo on most routes. Confirm current policy before booking; it varies by route and is frequently restricted.
Cabin and Cargo
LOT Polish Airlines
LOT connects Riga to Warsaw (WAW) with onward connections to German cities. Small pets allowed in cabin. A useful option if direct airBaltic services are full or not available on your preferred date.
Cabin and Cargo
Using airBaltic for pet travel from Riga to Germany
airBaltic is the dominant carrier out of Riga (RIX) and operates the most practical direct services to German cities. Small pets (carrier plus pet within the weight limit, typically 8 kg total) can travel in cabin on airBaltic. Book the cabin space at the time of your ticket purchase; spaces are limited.
For larger dogs, airBaltic accepts pets in the cargo hold. Book through the airBaltic cargo department rather than the passenger line. Provide the exact IATA crate dimensions and total weight. On direct Riga-to-Germany routes, there is no transfer risk, which makes cargo logistics cleaner than a connecting itinerary.
If airBaltic does not have availability on your preferred date, Lufthansa offers connections via Frankfurt, and LOT connects via Warsaw. Riga Airport is well-organised for passenger pets; check-in and drop-off procedures are straightforward.
The PVD health certificate and what German authorities check
For EU residents moving within the EU, the EU pet passport is the right document. Any officially authorised Latvian vet can update the vaccination entries and issue or renew the passport. The PVD (Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia) oversees the network of authorised vets in Latvia.
If you need an AHC (for example, because you are a non-EU resident temporarily bringing a pet through Latvia to Germany, or because your passport is no longer readable), ask a PVD-registered vet to issue one. The AHC must be issued within 10 days of entering Germany. German state veterinary inspectors may check documents at the point of entry or at a spot check. Ensure the chip number in the passport matches the chip number your vet scans before you leave Riga.
FAQ
Common questions
German rules for EU pet entry require a valid rabies vaccination and a current EU passport or AHC. Germany does not legally mandate any additional vaccines for EU arrivals, but vets and kennels in Germany typically recommend that your dog is also up to date on distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and leptospirosis. Ask your Latvian vet to include these in the passport record before travel.
Yes. airBaltic accepts pets in the cargo hold on its direct Riga-to-Frankfurt routes. Book through the cargo department directly. Provide crate dimensions, total weight, and your pet’s documentation. Confirm acceptance at time of booking as cargo capacity varies by aircraft and season.
The PVD (Partikas un veterinarais dienests) is Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service, the government authority responsible for veterinary certification. When a Latvian vet signs an EU AHC, the PVD endorsement stamp confirms the vet is officially authorised. The PVD stamp is what German border officials look for on an AHC.
Direct Riga (RIX) to Frankfurt (FRA) flights on airBaltic take approximately 3 hours. Via Warsaw with LOT, total journey time is around 4-5 hours. Via Amsterdam with KLM, allow 4-6 hours depending on the connection.