If you are relocating a pet from United States to Germany, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-10 weeks of preparation usually covers it. Compliant pets are not held in …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United States to Germany
typically takes around 6-10 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
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.
1
Confirm microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination and 21-day wait is complete
Responsible: Vet
Verify now.
2
Choose route: Lufthansa (cabin for small pets), Delta/AA cargo, or United cabin
Responsible: Owner
Before booking.
3
Book flight
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead.
4
USDA-accredited vet completes EU health certificate
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
Within 10 days of travel
5
USDA APHIS endorsement of EU health certificate
Responsible: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
After vet signs. Allow 2-10 business days. Use VEHCS for speed.
6
Travel to Germany
Responsible: Owner / airline
On travel date. Present documents at EU point of entry.
Requirements
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.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination course before EU entry.
Quarantine
Not required for pets with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit required for companion animals entering Germany.
Health certificate
USDA-endorsed EU health certificate, valid for EU entry and 4 months of onward EU travel. Must be issued within 10 days of travel.
Export permit (United States)
No formal US export permit. USDA-endorsed EU health certificate serves as export and entry documentation.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Lufthansa cabin pet fee: approximately EUR 70 to EUR 110 per leg for small pets
Air cargo fee (larger pets): $1,000 to $3,500 from a US hub to Germany
USDA-accredited vet examination and EU health certificate: $200 to $500
USDA APHIS endorsement fee: $38 per certificate
Pet transport agent fee: $400 to $1,500
IATA-compliant travel crate (if cargo): $100 to $450
Total typical range (small pet, cabin): $700 to $2,000
Total typical range (larger pet, cargo): $1,800 to $5,500
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.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Allows small dogs and cats in the cabin (up to 8kg including carrier) and larger pets in cargo. Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Pet-friendly carrier.
Mixed
UNITED
United Airlines
Cabin only for small pets. No cargo pet service. Suitable for small pets only on this route.
Cabin
DELTA AIR
Delta Air Lines
US hubs to German cities. Cargo pet service on applicable routes.
Cargo Only
AMERICAN
American Airlines
US hubs to Germany via European connections. Cargo service. Seasonal embargoes apply.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Germany
Germany 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 United States to Germany pet transport
They are the same document. For Germany, your pet needs an EU-format health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited vet and then endorsed by USDA APHIS. The USDA endorsement is what makes the EU certificate valid. You do not need two separate certificates; you need one EU-format certificate that carries the USDA endorsement. Allow 2-10 business days for the endorsement after the vet completes the examination.
Yes, on Lufthansa or United. Lufthansa allows small dogs and cats (up to 8kg including carrier) in the cabin, and the pet travels in Lufthansa’s cargo hold if larger. United also offers cabin-only pet carriage for small pets. For larger dogs that exceed cabin limits, Lufthansa cargo or Delta cargo is needed, as United does not offer cargo pet service. For small pets, cabin travel on Lufthansa is a comfortable option.
The pet documentation requirements are the same as for any move: USDA-accredited vet, EU health certificate, and USDA endorsement. The military may provide some logistics support, but the certificate and endorsement steps apply. The main thing to manage is timing, since orders can shift and the health certificate examination must be within 10 days of travel. Build flexibility into your vet scheduling and use VEHCS for the fastest endorsement.
No. Germany does not quarantine pets arriving with correct documentation. With a valid USDA-endorsed EU health certificate, an ISO microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, and a current rabies vaccination (21-day wait complete), your pet enters Germany without quarantine and without an import permit.
Airline guides
Lufthansa
United Airlines
Delta Air Lines
American Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.