Bringing a Pet to Denmark

Updated By exploringdenmark8 min read

For most cats and dogs, bringing a pet to Denmark is a well-trodden path: a microchip, a valid rabies jab and the right paperwork. But there is one make-or-break check to do first – Denmark bans 13 dog breeds, one of the longest lists in Europe. This guide covers that list, the EU and non-EU rules, and what to do once you land.

THE PET CHECKLIST FIRSTCheck the breed13 are banned MicrochipISO, before rabies jab Rabies21+ days before travel Passportor health cert On arrival: register your dog and arrange liability insurance Compliant pets face no quarantine – up to five animals per person

Overview

If you are moving with a dog, cat or ferret from the EU, bringing a pet to Denmark is genuinely straightforward – the standard EU pet rules apply, there is no quarantine for compliant animals, and you can bring up to five. Arrivals from outside the EU have a few more steps and need to start earlier. The one thing that catches people out has nothing to do with paperwork: Denmark’s banned-breed list. Check that first, then work through the rest of bringing a pet to Denmark.

Check this first

Denmark bans 13 dog breeds (and crossbreeds containing them) – for residents and tourists alike. A banned dog can be refused entry, returned or, in the worst case, seized. Confirm your dog is not on the list before you plan anything else.

The 13 banned breeds

Under the Danish Act on Dogs, these breeds may not be brought into the country, even on holiday, and the ban extends to crossbreeds that include any of them:

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Tosa Inu
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Dogo Argentino
  • American Bulldog
  • Boerboel
  • Kangal
  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Ovtcharka)
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Ovtcharka)
  • South Russian Shepherd Dog (Ovtcharka)
  • Tornjak
  • Sarplaninac

If there is any doubt about your dog’s breed or ancestry, check with the Danish authorities before travelling – the burden is on the owner.

The basics of bringing a pet to Denmark

For every dog, cat and ferret, three things are non-negotiable, and the order matters:

  1. Microchip – an ISO-standard chip, implanted before the rabies vaccination (the vet scans it first).
  2. Rabies vaccination – valid, given at least 21 days before travel; the animal must be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated.
  3. Documentation – a pet passport or animal health certificate, depending on where you are coming from (below).

Note that Denmark itself does not require tapeworm treatment, though some other countries do – worth knowing if your route passes through them.

From the EU

Coming from an EU country – or the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland or Norway – you travel on a valid EU pet passport for non-commercial movement, provided the microchip and rabies requirements are met. That is usually the whole job.

From outside the EU

From a third country there is more to do, and the timeline is longer:

  • An EU animal health certificate, completed by an authorised vet shortly before travel, plus an owner declaration.
  • For high-risk countries, a rabies antibody (titre) blood test – taken after vaccination, followed by a three-month wait before you can travel.
  • Entry via an approved travellers’ point of entry.

Because of the titre test and waiting period, start the process three to four months ahead if you are coming from outside the EU.

Cats and other pets

Cats and ferrets follow the same microchip, rabies and documentation rules as dogs. Other animals – birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, fish, and cat hybrids such as some Bengal and Savannah cats – have their own rules, and several species are not permitted at all. Always check the specific rules for anything other than a standard dog, cat or ferret.

After you arrive

Once your pet is here, two things remain for dog owners: register your dog in the Danish Dog Register (Dansk Hunderegister) and make sure it wears ID, and arrange the third-party liability insurance that dogs are required to have in Denmark. Then settle in – the rest of your move continues as normal.

Your first 30 days in Denmark →
Everything else to set up after arrival

Questions and answers

What do I need to bring my dog or cat to Denmark?

An ISO microchip (implanted before vaccination), a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and a pet passport (from the EU) or animal health certificate (from outside it). And first, confirm the breed is not banned.

Which dog breeds are banned in Denmark?

Thirteen, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino and several shepherd breeds – plus any crossbreed containing them.

Is there quarantine for pets in Denmark?

No – compliant dogs, cats and ferrets are not quarantined. Non-compliant or banned animals can be refused, returned or seized.

How early should I start if I’m outside the EU?

Three to four months ahead, mainly because high-risk countries require a rabies titre test followed by a three-month wait.

Sources

  1. Danish Veterinary and Food Administration – importing pets and the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets.
  2. Info Norden – travelling with pets to Denmark.
  3. Danish Agricultural and Fisheries Agency – the list of banned dog breeds.