Pet Transport Slovenia to Austria

Slovenia to Austria is one of the shortest and simplest pet moves in Europe. The two capitals, Ljubljana and Vienna, are approximately 380 km apart by road. Both countries are EU …

1-2 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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What's required

MicrochipRequired. ISO 11784/11785. Must be …

Rabies vaccinationRequired. Current and at least 21 days …

Rabies titre testNot required. Slovenia is an EU member …

QuarantineNo quarantine for compliant arrivals …

Import permitNot required.

Health certificateEU pet passport or Animal Health …

Step by step

The import process, in full

As early as possible, ideally 4-6 weeks before travel.

Confirm your pet's ISO microchip is readable and recorded in the EU pet passport.

Responsible: Owner and vet

At least 21 days before travel if a fresh primary vaccination is required.

Check the rabies vaccination is current and at least 21 days old. Arrange an update if needed.

Responsible: UVHVVR-authorised veterinarian in Slovenia

1-2 weeks before travel.

Have the EU pet passport updated and signed by an official vet.

Responsible: Official vet in Slovenia

2-4 weeks before travel.

Choose road or air travel. For road, plan the route and rest stops. For air, book the flight and the pet space separately.

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent

Travel day.

Travel to Austria. Present the EU pet passport if asked at the border or on arrival. Austrian customs may conduct spot checks.

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

Required. ISO 11784/11785. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Current and at least 21 days old after a primary vaccination. Boosters within the valid period carry no additional wait. Source: BMSGPK (Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection): sozialministerium.at.

Rabies titre test

Not required. Slovenia is an EU member state and a listed country for Austria.

Quarantine

No quarantine for compliant arrivals with correct documentation.

Import permit

Not required.

Health certificate

EU pet passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

Export permit

No export permit required for companion animals moving within the EU.

Health certificate

EU pet passport issued by an official veterinarian in Slovenia, authorised by UVHVVR (Uprava za varno hrano, veterinarstvo in varstvo rastlin, Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection). Austria accepts the EU pet passport as the entry document.

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

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Austrian Airlines

Operates direct Ljubljana (LJU) to Vienna (VIE) services. Austrian Airlines is the simplest air option for this short route, handling both cabin and cargo pets. Flight time is approximately 45-60 minutes.

Cargo and Cabin

Road travel (private vehicle or pet transport)

Ljubljana to Vienna is approximately 380 km by road, around 3.5 hours. With a valid EU pet passport, road travel is a practical and popular alternative to flying, especially for large dogs or multiple pets. No border formalities beyond a possible spot check.

Cargo and Cabin

Ryanair

Operates some services from Ljubljana (LJU). Budget carrier, cabin pets only within weight limits. Check current LJU routing for Vienna connections before booking.

Cabin

Costs

What this route typically costs

EU pet passport: EUR 50-100 (if not already held)

Rabies vaccination update: EUR 40-80

Cabin fee on LJU to VIE (Austrian Airlines direct): EUR 30-70

Cargo fee LJU to VIE by air: EUR 150-450 depending on crate size and weight

IATA-approved travel crate (if flying): EUR 60-250

Road travel fuel and tolls Ljubljana to Vienna: approximately EUR 40-60

Critical points

Road travel is genuinely competitive with flying on this route. Ljubljana to Vienna takes around 3.5 hours by car, similar to or faster than the total door-to-door time by air when check-in, cargo collection, and transfers are included.

The rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old for a primary vaccination. A booster within a valid course carries no wait.

Microchip must pre-date or match the date of the first rabies vaccination. An incorrect order can invalidate the vaccination record.

Austrian Airlines' direct LJU-VIE service has limited cabin pet spaces per flight. Book the pet space as soon as the ticket is purchased.

Road Travel vs Flying: Which Makes More Sense on This Route?

On most European routes, flying is quicker. On Ljubljana to Vienna, it is not always obvious. The direct Austrian Airlines flight takes 45-60 minutes in the air, but once you add the time to get to Ljubljana Airport (LJU), check in, process the pet, and collect it at Vienna Airport (VIE), the total door-to-door time can exceed four hours. Driving takes around 3.5 hours, with the motorway route well-signposted and toll roads manageable. For large dogs travelling as cargo, driving removes the cargo booking process entirely. For owners with multiple pets, a vehicle can carry all animals at once. Road travel is not always better, but on this particular route it deserves serious consideration.

Flying with Austrian Airlines from Ljubljana to Vienna

For owners who prefer to fly, Austrian Airlines operates the direct LJU to VIE service and is the most straightforward air option on this route. The airline handles both cabin pets (for small animals within weight limits) and cargo. For cabin travel, pets must be in an approved carrier and booked in advance, as spaces are limited. For cargo, contact Austrian Airlines’ cargo division or work with a pet transport agent to arrange the live animal shipment. The BMSGPK (Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection) governs pet import into Austria and accepts EU pets with a correctly completed EU passport without any additional documentation.

FAQ

Common questions

It depends on your pet’s size and temperament. For large dogs, driving is often easier: there is no cargo booking process, no crate sizing requirements for the hold, and the journey takes around 3.5 hours. For small dogs or cats comfortable in a carrier, the Austrian Airlines direct flight is quick and straightforward. Many owners on this route choose to drive.

No. Both Slovenia and Austria are EU member states. A correctly completed EU pet passport, with a valid microchip record and current rabies vaccination, is all that is required. No import permit, titre test, or quarantine applies.

Slovenia and Austria are both in the Schengen Area, so routine passport checks do not apply. However, spot vehicle checks can occur, and Austrian border officials may request to see your pet’s EU passport. Keep it accessible during the drive.

Cargo fees on the direct LJU-VIE Austrian Airlines service typically run EUR 150-450 depending on the dog’s weight and crate dimensions. Add EUR 60-250 for an IATA-approved crate if you do not already own one. An EU pet passport costs EUR 50-100 if your pet does not have one.

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to Austria.

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