The journey from South Korea to Slovenia for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. This route takes some organising, and roughly 18-22 weeks of preparation is about …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Slovenia
typically takes around 18-22 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The South Korea to Slovenia import process
01
At least 21 days before the titre test blood draw, if first vaccination.
Implant the microchip, then administer or confirm the rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Vet in South Korea.
02
At least 21 days after vaccination, sample to an EU-approved laboratory.
FAVN or RNATT titre test blood draw.
Responsible: Vet and laboratory.
03
Fixed EU requirement, cannot be shortened.
90-day wait from the blood draw date.
Responsible: Owner to track.
04
Within 10 days of the flight.
APQA inspection and endorsement of the EU health certificate at Incheon.
Responsible: Accredited vet and APQA.
05
Once the blood draw date is confirmed, so the earliest permitted entry date can be calculated.
Book cargo space Incheon to Ljubljana via Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Istanbul.
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent.
06
On or after the 90-day wait expires.
Fly to Ljubljana, presenting all documents at the border control point on arrival.
Responsible: Airline cargo handling.
Requirements
Slovenia 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 standard, 15-digit, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required, given after the microchip. At least 21 days before the titre test blood draw if this is a first vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. South Korea does not appear on the EU low-rabies-risk list under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. A FAVN or RNATT rabies antibody titre test is needed at an EU-approved laboratory, blood drawn at least 21 days after vaccination, result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, then a 90-day wait counted from the blood draw date.
Quarantine
Not required for a pet with a compliant titre test and current documentation.
Import permit
Not required for non-commercial companion movements.
Health certificate
EU non-commercial movement health certificate under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705, APQA-endorsed, valid 10 days before arrival.
Leaving South Korea
Export requirements
Export permit
No separate export permit for a companion dog or cat. APQA inspection at Incheon International Airport (ICN) substitutes for one.
Health certificate
EU non-commercial movement health certificate completed by an accredited vet and endorsed by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) at ICN, issued within 10 days of travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN or RNATT titre test at an EU-approved laboratory: EUR 200-400.
APQA inspection and certificate endorsement at ICN: KRW 50,000-150,000, roughly EUR 35-110.
Cargo, Incheon to Ljubljana via Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Istanbul: EUR 1,000-2,500 depending on routing, season and crate size.
IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 70-280.
Ground transfer if landing at Vienna or Frankfurt rather than Ljubljana directly: EUR 150-400.
Total typical range: EUR 1,600-3,500 over a 5-6 month window.
Critical points
South Korea is not on the EU low-risk list, so the titre test and 90-day wait apply in full despite the country's advanced veterinary infrastructure.
The 90-day wait counts from the blood draw date, not from when the laboratory result is issued. Confirm the exact draw date with your vet before booking flights.
Ljubljana's airport handles far less long-haul cargo than Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Istanbul. Ask your cargo agent whether the routing lands directly at LJU or finishes with a road transfer.
Do not book flights until the blood draw date is confirmed and the earliest permitted entry date into Slovenia has been calculated.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Korean Air Cargo
Incheon (ICN) to Frankfurt (FRA) or Amsterdam (AMS), with onward connection or a road transfer into Ljubljana. Korean Air Cargo staff regularly handle APQA-endorsed paperwork, which smooths the departure end of this route.
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines Cargo
ICN to Istanbul (IST) direct, then a short connection into Ljubljana. Often the fastest single-connection option on this corridor.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Slovenia
Slovenia asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.
How to keep this move on track
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Yes. South Korea is not on the EU’s low-rabies-risk list under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. A FAVN or RNATT titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, is required, along with a 90-day wait from the blood draw date.
No. Korean Air Cargo via Frankfurt or Amsterdam, and Turkish Airlines Cargo via Istanbul, are the two established routings, both requiring at least one connection.
APQA, South Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, inspects the pet and endorses the EU health certificate at Incheon International Airport, within 10 days of the flight. Without this endorsement the certificate is not valid for entry into Slovenia.
From the date blood is drawn for the titre test, not from the vaccination date and not from when the laboratory issues the result. Confirm the exact draw date with your vet and count 90 calendar days forward before booking a flight.
No, provided the microchip, vaccination, titre test and 90-day wait are all in order and the EU health certificate is presented within its 10-day validity. Slovenia’s UVHVVR does not quarantine compliant pets.
No. The EU’s classification is based on the country’s rabies risk status under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, not the quality of local veterinary services. South Korea has excellent vet care but is still classed as unlisted, so the titre test and 90-day wait apply regardless.
Airline guides
Korean Air Cargo
Turkish Airlines Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.