Pet Transport South Korea to Germany: 2026 Guide
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Planning a pet relocation from South Korea to Germany is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Give yourself close to 20-22 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely.
A rabies titre test is required, and it carries a fixed waiting period, so start it early. The guide below walks through each stage so nothing gets missed.
The South Korea to Germany process
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Official vet and EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: N/A - mandatory waiting period
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: APQA-registered vet plus APQA endorsement
Responsible: Airline cargo and German customs
Germany: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Valid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Required. South Korea is not EU-listed. FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. 3-month wait from blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for compliant pets. German customs (Zoll) inspects at Frankfurt (FRA). |
| Import permit | No import permit required. APQA-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document. |
| Health certificate | EU-format certificate endorsed by APQA, issued within 10 days of travel. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required for companion animals from South Korea. Primary departure airport: Seoul Incheon (ICN). |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate issued by an APQA-registered official vet and endorsed by APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency). EU-format required. Issued within 10 days of travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | APQA certificate and endorsement: KRW 50,000-150,000 (approximately EUR 35-110) |
| 2 | FAVN titre test (EU-approved laboratory): EUR 85-170 |
| 3 | IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed |
| 4 | Cargo ICN to FRA (Korean Air or Lufthansa direct): EUR 800-1,800 depending on crate size |
| 5 | Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400 |
| 6 | Total typical range: EUR 1,200-2,700 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
Germany import rules, explained
Practical tips for this move
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.
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.
Common questions
South Korea to Germany?