In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Qatar to Germany
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
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Overview
A move from Qatar to Germany with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Around 20-26 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work through. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
Depending on origin, a rabies titre test may be part of the process here. Read on for the requirements, timing and carrier options for this route.
Step by step
The Qatar to Germany process
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Checklist
Germany: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Standard EU 21-day wait from date of first vaccination before travel. No additional Germany-specific requirements beyond EU framework.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries (countries not on EU Annex II list). Not required for: Pets from EU member states, listed third countries (all P1 countries are listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
No quarantine for pets entering with correct EU documentation. Non-compliant animals may be returned, quarantined at owner's expense, or in worst case euthanised.
Import permit
No formal import permit. EU pet passport (intra-EU) or Animal Health Certificate (from third countries) serves as documentation.
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
2
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
4
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
5
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Qatar Airways
Cargo: Pets travel via Qatar Airways Cargo (QR Cargo) from Doha hub. No cabin pets on any route. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional vet documentation. Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer (June-September).
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Meeting Germany's entry requirements
The path into Germany is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Advice worth following
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Germany for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Germany. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, cats can be transported from Qatar to Germany. The same microchip, vaccination, and health certificate requirements apply as for dogs, though some rules (such as tapeworm treatment) apply to dogs only. Check the full requirements for cats with the destination authority.
Airline guides
Qatar Airways
Lufthansa
Emirates
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.