Pet Transport USA to Germany: The 2026 Process
Moving a pet from the USA to Germany requires a USDA-endorsed EU health certificate. Germany has no import permit or quarantine for documented pets. This route is common for US military families on PCS orders, given the large US presence in …
The United States to Germany pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
What your pet needs to enter Germany
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
What this route typically costs
Critical points to read before you book
The health certificate must be the EU format, completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Allow 2-10 business days for endorsement, and remember the examination must be within 10 days of travel.
Germany has dangerous dog (Kampfhunde) laws that vary by federal state. Breeds such as American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier are restricted or banned in many states. Check your destination state.
For US military PCS moves, additional logistics support may be available, but the EU health certificate and USDA endorsement requirements still apply. Plan the vet timing around your travel orders.
United Airlines offers cabin-only pet carriage and no cargo. For larger dogs, Lufthansa cargo or Delta cargo is needed.
Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination, and the 21-day wait must be complete before EU entry.
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
The USDA endorsement plus EU certificate
For EU entry, your pet needs a health certificate in the EU format, completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (not just any vet) and endorsed by USDA APHIS. This is the same endorsement process used for other EU destinations.
The examination must take place within 10 days of travel, and the USDA endorsement takes 2-10 business days. Electronic submission through VEHCS is the fastest method. Coordinate the vet examination, the endorsement, and the travel date so the endorsed certificate is in hand before departure.
Once issued, the EU health certificate is valid for entry into Germany and then for 4 months of onward EU travel.
Military PCS moves to Germany
Germany hosts a large US military community, and PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves with pets are common on this route. While the military may provide logistics support, the pet documentation requirements are the same as for any civilian move: the USDA-accredited vet, the EU health certificate, and the USDA endorsement.
The main challenge for PCS moves is timing. Orders can move, and the health certificate examination must fall within 10 days of travel. Build flexibility into your vet appointment scheduling, and use VEHCS for the fastest endorsement turnaround. Lufthansa, with its Frankfurt and Munich hubs near major US installations, is a popular carrier for these moves.
Lufthansa cabin and German breed laws
Lufthansa allows small dogs and cats (up to 8kg including the carrier) in the passenger cabin, which is a genuine advantage for owners of small pets. Larger pets travel in Lufthansa’s climate-controlled cargo hold. United offers cabin-only carriage with no cargo, so larger dogs need Lufthansa cargo or Delta.
On arrival, be aware of Germany’s Kampfhunde (dangerous dog) laws, which vary by federal state. Breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier are restricted or banned in many states, with conditions ranging from outright bans to temperament testing and registration. Check the rules for your specific destination state before moving an affected breed.
Common questions about United States to Germany pet transport
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