Shipping a dog or cat from Slovakia to United States rewards owners who start planning early. Expect about 6-9 weeks, with a short and predictable checklist. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
This route …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Slovakia to United States
typically takes around 6-9 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Slovakia to United States pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and scannable.
Responsible: Vet in Slovakia.
Before the rabies vaccination.
2
Administer or confirm current rabies vaccination.
Responsible: SVPS SR-registered vet.
Ahead of the health certificate examination.
3
Submit the CDC Dog Import Form online.
Responsible: Owner.
Before travel.
4
Obtain the SVPS SR-endorsed export health certificate.
Responsible: SVPS SR-registered vet.
Within 10 days of travel.
5
Travel via Vienna or Frankfurt to the US.
Responsible: Austrian Airlines Cargo or Lufthansa Cargo.
Once documentation and the CDC form are complete.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United States
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Not federally required for entry, but strongly recommended and required by many US states. Microchip number should be included on the CDC Dog Import Form.
Rabies vaccination
Required for all dogs entering the United States. Must be current at time of US arrival. Not federally required for cats, though some US states require it.
Rabies titre test
Not required from Slovakia.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats from Slovakia with valid documentation.
Import permit
Not required for personal pets.
Health certificate
SVPS SR-endorsed export health certificate; CDC Dog Import Form submitted separately by the owner.
Export permit (Slovakia)
Not required for personal companion pets.
Costs
What this route typically costs
SVPS SR export health certificate and vet examination: USD 100-180.
CDC Dog Import Form: no fee, but must be completed accurately before travel.
Connecting cargo fee, Bratislava to a US gateway via Vienna or Frankfurt: USD 700-1,300 depending on crate size and routing.
Critical points to read before you book
Bratislava's small airport has no long-haul US service, so a short hop or a short drive to Vienna is standard practice for owners on this route. Factor that connection into the total journey time.
Slovakia is low-risk under CDC rules, so no titre test applies, but the CDC Dog Import Form is still mandatory for every dog and must be submitted online before travel.
Cats face no CDC form requirement, a meaningfully simpler path than the process for dogs.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AUSTRIAN
Austrian Airlines Cargo
A short first leg from Bratislava to Vienna, roughly an hour's drive or a quick connecting flight, then Austrian's own long-haul network into the US.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa Cargo
Connects via Frankfurt, one of Europe's busiest cargo hubs, with extensive US gateway options.
Cargo Only
What United States requires
The requirements for United States are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about Slovakia to United States pet transport
No. Bratislava’s airport has no long-haul US service. Owners typically connect via Vienna or Frankfurt.
No. Slovakia is classified as low-risk under CDC rules, so no titre test is required.
A mandatory online form required for every dog entering the United States, regardless of country of origin. It must be submitted before travel. Cats are not subject to it.
No routine quarantine applies to dogs and cats from Slovakia travelling with valid documentation.
Airline guides
Austrian Airlines Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Slovakia to United States pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.