Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
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Overview
Slovenia and Germany are both EU member states, making this a low-complexity pet move within the EU framework. Microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport or AHC covers the full documentation requirement. No quarantine, no titre test, no import permit. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) connects to Germany via Vienna (Austrian Airlines) or Frankfurt (Lufthansa), though many owners also find the overland route via Austria more straightforward for medium and large dogs.
Step by step
The Slovenia to Germany process
1
Before any documentation step.
Confirm microchip (ISO 11784/11785) is in place
Responsible: Slovenian vet
2
First vaccination: 21-day wait before German entry. Booster within valid period: immediately valid.
Ensure rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Slovenian vet
3
One appointment with an officially authorised Slovenian vet (UVHVR-registered).
Obtain or update EU pet passport
Responsible: Authorised Slovenian vet
4
3-4 weeks before travel. Austrian Airlines is the most practical carrier for LJU-to-Germany routing.
Book Austrian Airlines or Lufthansa flight and reserve pet space
Responsible: Owner
5
Travel day. LJU to FRA via VIE is approximately 3-4 hours. Carry EU passport and crate.
Travel from Ljubljana to Germany
Responsible: Owner + airline
Checklist
Germany: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit). Must precede rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current. First vaccination: 21-day wait before German entry. Booster within valid period: immediately valid.
Rabies titre test
Not required for EU-to-EU movements.
Quarantine
Not required.
Import permit
Not required for companion animals between EU member states.
Health certificate
EU pet passport or UVHVR-endorsed AHC, issued within 10 days of German entry.
Leaving Slovenia
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No export permit required for companion dogs or cats leaving Slovenia for another EU member state.
Health certificate
EU pet passport issued or updated by an officially authorised Slovenian vet. If no EU passport is held, a single-use AHC endorsed by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection (UVHVR) is required, issued within 10 days of German entry.
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
Austrian Airlines cabin pet fee: EUR 30-80 per leg
5
Cargo pet fee (larger pets): EUR 200-600
6
Total typical range: EUR 150-800
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Austrian Airlines is the primary carrier at Ljubljana Airport (LJU) for connections to Germany. Confirm pet acceptance and book the cabin or cargo space at time of ticket purchase.
⚠ Budget carriers from Ljubljana (easyJet, Ryanair-operated routes) generally do not accept pets. Always confirm the pet policy for your specific airline and route.
⚠ Germany requires chip number consistency across all documents. Ensure your Slovenian vet scans the chip and confirms the number matches your EU passport entry before departure.
⚠ Slovenia shares a land border with Austria and Italy, both EU member states. If you are flexible on travel method, crossing by road with your pet in a car is simpler than air cargo and avoids airline cargo fees.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines operates Ljubljana (LJU) to Vienna (VIE) with frequent onward connections to Frankfurt, Munich, and other German cities. Small pets allowed in cabin. Vienna is the primary hub for Ljubljana connections to Germany. Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group, with access to Lufthansa's German network.
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Lufthansa connects Ljubljana to Frankfurt (FRA) via Vienna or Munich. Small pets permitted in cabin on intra-EU routes. The Frankfurt Animal Lounge at FRA is one of Europe's best live animal facilities. A good option for larger dogs travelling as cargo.
Cabin and Cargo
easyJet
easyJet operates from Ljubljana to some European destinations. easyJet's pet policy is very limited: pets are not accepted in cabin or as standard cargo. Do not assume easyJet can carry your pet.
Cabin and Cargo
KLM via Amsterdam
KLM operates Ljubljana to Amsterdam (AMS) via connections, with onward services to German airports. Small pets in cabin. AMS is an excellent cargo hub. A longer routing but a reliable option if Austrian/Lufthansa services are unavailable.
Cabin and Cargo
Why overland via Austria is often the simplest option
Slovenia borders Austria and Italy, both EU member states. If you are moving a medium or large dog, or simply want to avoid airline cargo logistics, driving from Ljubljana to Germany via Austria is the most straightforward option. EU pet passport rules apply for the whole journey: no additional documents, no border inspections beyond spot checks, and no cargo weight limits.
The drive from Ljubljana to Munich is approximately 4-5 hours and to Frankfurt approximately 7 hours. Austria and Germany share an open EU border. This is particularly worth considering if you have a large breed dog that airlines would require in cargo or in a specialist large-format crate.
Air travel from Ljubljana to Germany
If flying is the right option for you, Austrian Airlines operates the most connections from Ljubljana (LJU) to German destinations. The primary routing is LJU to Vienna (VIE), then VIE to Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), or other German airports. Austrian Airlines allows small pets in cabin, and Vienna (VIE) is a well-organised transit hub for live animals.
For larger dogs as cargo, Lufthansa’s Frankfurt Animal Lounge at FRA is the best live animal facility in Germany. Coordinate between Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa cargo if your connection involves both carriers. Book cargo at least 4 weeks before travel and confirm live animal acceptance on every leg.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Slovenia and Germany are both EU member states. Driving across the EU borders with a pet requires only a valid EU pet passport (or AHC if applicable), current microchip, and rabies vaccination. No additional permit is needed. Border checks within the EU Schengen zone are minimal but documentation should be with you.
The UVHVR (Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection) is Slovenia’s government veterinary authority. If you use an AHC instead of an EU passport for the Germany move, the UVHVR must endorse the certificate. For an EU passport, the endorsement is already embedded in the authorised vet process.
Yes, if your dog plus carrier is within the airline’s cabin weight limit (typically 8 kg total on Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa). Book the cabin pet space at time of ticket purchase. Larger dogs travel as cargo. Austrian Airlines via Vienna (VIE) is the most practical routing.
No. Germany does not quarantine EU pets arriving from other member states with valid documentation. A current EU passport or AHC, a microchip, and a current rabies vaccination is all that is required.