If you are relocating a pet from Slovenia to South Korea, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. This is a middle of the road route, and about 4-8 weeks of preparation usually covers …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Slovenia to South Korea
typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
Expect 3 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Slovenia to South Korea import process
01
Before booking any appointment
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and recorded before the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
02
Well ahead of the certificate appointment
Confirm rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Vet
03
Certificate valid 10 days from issue, so time this close to departure
Book an appointment with a UVHVVR-authorised official vet for the Korean QIAS-format certificate
Responsible: UVHVVR-authorised official vet
04
Before the travel date is finalised
Submit advance QIAS notification ahead of arrival at Incheon
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
05
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo space on both legs: LJU to FRA, FRA to ICN
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
On arrival
QIAS inspection on arrival at Incheon, 1-3 days for EU-origin pets
Responsible: QIAS Incheon facility
Requirements
South Korea entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785, implanted before the rabies vaccination is recorded.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current and valid for the travel period.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Slovenia's EU membership gives it QIAS equivalency status, so the FAVN titre test applied to non-EU origins does not apply.
Quarantine
QIAS inspection on arrival at Incheon, typically 1-3 days for EU-origin pets, shorter than the 5-10 day hold for rabies-endemic non-EU countries but not waived entirely.
Import permit
Advance QIAS notification required before your pet's arrival at Incheon.
Health certificate
Korean QIAS-format certificate signed by a UVHVVR-authorised official vet and endorsed by UVHVVR. The EU pet passport is not accepted on its own.
Leaving Slovenia
Export requirements
Export permit
No standalone export permit. UVHVVR's endorsement on the health certificate is the export authorisation for a non-EU destination such as South Korea.
Health certificate
Korean QIAS-format health certificate, not the EU pet passport. Issued by a UVHVVR-authorised official veterinarian and endorsed by UVHVVR before departure. Valid 10 days from issue.
Costs
What this route typically costs
UVHVVR-authorised official vet certificate and endorsement: EUR 90-220
Cargo LJU to ICN via Frankfurt: USD 950-2,300 depending on crate size
QIAS inspection fee at Incheon (1-3 days): approximately KRW 50,000-150,000
IATA-approved travel crate: USD 100-400
Pet transport agent fee (optional): EUR 250-550
Total typical range: USD 1,450-3,400 over a 4-8 week window
Critical points
The EU pet passport is not accepted at Incheon. The Korean QIAS-format certificate, endorsed by UVHVVR, is the document that matters.
Ljubljana has no long-haul carrier of its own. Since Adria Airways ceased operations in 2019, every cargo booking runs through a connecting hub, most reliably Frankfurt with Lufthansa.
The 1-3 day QIAS inspection is not guaranteed. Incomplete documentation or a health concern on arrival can extend it.
UVHVVR-authorised official vets for third-country export certification are based in Ljubljana. Book the appointment with enough lead time if you live elsewhere in Slovenia.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Lufthansa Cargo
Ljubljana (LJU) to Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa, roughly 22 weekly departures make this the dominant option out of Ljubljana, then Lufthansa's nonstop FRA-ICN sector at around 11 hours 20 minutes. Frankfurt has a dedicated live-animal handling facility. Brachycephalic breeds are restricted from the hold year-round.
Cargo Only
Austrian Airlines
A Vienna connection is a plausible alternative for the Ljubljana departure leg, feeding into Lufthansa Group's onward network toward Incheon, though schedule availability should be confirmed directly with your cargo agent.
Cargo Only
Korean Air Cargo
Operates the FRA-ICN sector on some routings, with strong QIAS familiarity at the Incheon end. A workable alternative to Lufthansa for the long-haul leg.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into South Korea
South Korea keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
How to keep this move on track
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. South Korea requires a Korean QIAS-format health certificate, issued by a UVHVVR-authorised official vet and endorsed by UVHVVR. The EU pet passport is not an accepted substitute.
No. Slovenia’s EU membership gives it QIAS equivalency status, which removes the titre test requirement applied to non-EU origins. A current microchip and rabies vaccination are the pre-travel health requirements.
No. Ljubljana has no long-haul carrier since Adria Airways ceased operating in 2019. Lufthansa’s Frankfurt connection, with a nonstop FRA-ICN sector of around 11 hours 20 minutes, is the most established routing.
Typically 1 to 3 days for EU-origin pets, including those from Slovenia, provided documentation is complete and the health check is clear.
From a UVHVVR-authorised official veterinarian. This authorisation is centralised in Ljubljana, so book the appointment early if you live elsewhere in the country, and remember the certificate is only valid for 10 days from issue.
It’s plausible given Lufthansa Group’s regional network, but it isn’t a confirmed standing route for this corridor. Ask your cargo agent to check current availability rather than assuming it as a default.
Airline guides
Lufthansa Cargo
Austrian Airlines
Korean Air Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.