USA to Germany Pet Relocation: How to Move Your Dog or Cat

How do I get my dog or cat from the USA to Germany?

USA to Germany pet relocation is one of the more straightforward international moves, because Germany is part of the European Union and the United States is a listed (low-rabies-risk) country. In short: your dog or cat needs an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination given after the microchip, and an EU health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS before travel. There is no quarantine, no rabies titer test for pets coming from the U.S., and no tapeworm treatment for Germany. Pets can fly to Germany in the cabin or as cargo, depending on the airline and your pet’s size.

Why Families Choose Animal Land for USA to Germany Pet Relocation

Pet relocation from the USA to Germany is well-established, but the details still have to be exact — the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, the rabies vaccination has a waiting period before travel, and the EU health certificate has to be issued and APHIS-endorsed inside a strict window before departure. A small mistake in the sequence or the dates is the most common reason a pet is delayed.

Animal Land Pet Movers has been relocating dogs and cats internationally since 1998 and handles pet moves to Germany and across the EU regularly. Our team manages the full process — microchip and vaccination verification, the EU health certificate, USDA APHIS endorsement, and flight or cargo booking into Frankfurt, Munich, or your destination city — so your pet’s move stays on schedule.

Departing From the USA

Unlike some destinations, Germany is served by direct, pet-friendly air routes from the United States. Lufthansa is one of the most experienced carriers for live animals, and several airlines offer nonstop service from major U.S. gateways. Depending on the airline and your pet’s size, your pet may travel in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as manifest cargo.

Key U.S. departure considerations include:

• USDA APHIS endorsement: The EU health certificate, completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, must be endorsed by USDA APHIS through the VEHCS system before departure.
• Departure hubs: Pets generally fly from major international gateways such as Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. If you are not near one, your pet may need ground transport to the departure city.
• Cabin vs. cargo: Airline pet policies, crate limits, and seasonal heat embargoes vary, so the cabin/baggage/cargo decision should be confirmed early.
• Crate: Pets traveling as baggage or cargo need an IATA-compliant travel crate.

Germany (EU) Pet Import Requirements: Step by Step

The authoritative overview is on the USDA APHIS Pet Travel to Germany page, and the EU’s own rules are summarized on the European Commission’s movement of pets page. The core steps are below.

Step 1: Microchip

Your dog or cat must be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) — EU scanners do not read non-ISO chips. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination; if the vaccine predates the chip, the EU considers it invalid.

Step 2: Rabies Vaccination

After the microchip is in place, your pet must receive a rabies vaccination and then wait at least 21 days before entering the EU. The microchip number should be recorded on the rabies vaccination record. Because the United States is a listed third country, a rabies antibody titer test is not required for pets traveling directly from the U.S. to Germany.

Step 3: EU Health Certificate

A USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the EU health certificate for Germany, which must then be endorsed by USDA APHIS. For the non-commercial path, your pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of the APHIS endorsement; the commercial path requires endorsement within 48 hours of departure. A printed, endorsed original travels with your pet.

Step 4: No Tapeworm Treatment or Quarantine for Germany

Germany does not require tapeworm treatment (that requirement applies only to Finland, Malta, Ireland, and Norway) and does not impose quarantine on pets that meet the requirements. This makes Germany one of the simpler EU destinations to enter, provided the paperwork is correct.

The Five-Pet Non-Commercial Rule

The EU draws a line between non-commercial and commercial movement. If you are traveling with five or fewer pets, they accompany you (or a designated person) within five days of your own travel, and the move is not a sale or change of ownership, it qualifies as non-commercial — the simpler path, with the health certificate valid for arrival within 10 days of endorsement.

If you are moving more than five pets, the pets travel more than five days apart from you, or ownership is changing, the move is treated as commercial, which requires the commercial certificate (endorsed within 48 hours of departure) and additional steps. Animal Land confirms which path applies before booking, because it changes the certificate and the timeline.

Arrival & Entry in Germany

Pets entering Germany from the U.S. must arrive through a designated Travelers’ Point of Entry, where documents may be checked. With a valid microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an APHIS-endorsed EU health certificate, pets are cleared without quarantine — there is no facility stay and, in most cases, no delay. Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) are the most common arrival airports and have established animal-handling facilities.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Pet From the USA to Germany?

The total cost of USA to Germany pet relocation depends on your pet’s size, your departure city, whether your pet flies in the cabin, as baggage, or as cargo, and the services you need. Typical cost components include:

• Veterinary visits, microchip, and vaccinations
• USDA APHIS endorsement fees
• EU health certificate preparation
• IATA-approved crate purchase (if needed)
• Airfare or air cargo charges to Germany
• Airport handling and arrival processing fees
• Professional pet relocation coordination

Because routing, airline pet fees, and cargo rates vary, Animal Land provides personalized quotes rather than published price ranges. For a fuller breakdown of what drives international pet-moving costs — including a typical range for Europe — see our International Pet Relocation Cost guide. To get an estimate for your specific move, request a free quote.

How Long Does It Take to Move a Pet From the USA to Germany?

The timeline is driven mainly by the rabies vaccination, which requires a 21-day wait before entry if your pet is not already covered. For pets already current on a valid rabies vaccination, the practical preparation window is shorter — often a few weeks to arrange the EU health certificate, APHIS endorsement, and flights. For most families, USA to Germany pet relocation takes between 3 and 6 weeks from the time preparation begins to arrival day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my pet travel in the cabin to Germany?

Often, yes — for small dogs and cats, several airlines serving Germany allow in-cabin travel, while larger pets travel as checked baggage or manifest cargo. The option depends on the airline, the aircraft, and your pet’s size and crate dimensions. Animal Land confirms the best available option for your pet.

Does Germany require a rabies titer test?

No. Because the United States is a listed third country, pets traveling directly from the U.S. to Germany do not need a rabies antibody titer test. A current rabies vaccination (given after microchipping, with a 21-day wait) is required.

Does my dog need a tapeworm treatment for Germany?

No. Tapeworm treatment is only required for Finland, Malta, Ireland, and Norway — not Germany. If you later travel onward to one of those countries with your dog, a treatment would be needed at that point.

Will my pet be quarantined in Germany?

No. Pets that meet the microchip, rabies vaccination, and EU health certificate requirements enter Germany without quarantine.

How many pets can I bring to Germany?

Up to five pets may travel under the simpler non-commercial rules, provided they accompany you within five days of your travel and the move is not a change of ownership. More than five pets, or pets traveling well apart from you, fall under commercial rules.

Are any dog breeds restricted in Germany?

Germany regulates certain breeds at the federal and state (Bundesland) level, and rules can vary by region. If you own a breed such as a Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or similar, contact us before booking so we can confirm the requirements for your destination state.

Get a Quote for USA to Germany Pet Relocation

Animal Land has offices in Atlanta, London, and across the globe. Contact our team for a free quote and a step-by-step plan for your move to Germany.

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