Croatia – Importing a Pet

Does Croatia allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Croatia is a welcoming destination for pet owners and permits the entry of animals from abroad. That said, there is a defined regulatory framework that owners must navigate to ensure their pet’s arrival proceeds without complications. These requirements are aligned with EU-wide legislation, making the system broadly consistent with rules in force throughout the rest of the European Union.

The following animals are recognised as pets under Croatian law: dogs, cats, ferrets, invertebrates (with the exception of bees and crabs), decorative tropical fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, rodents, and rabbits. For the purposes of import rules, dogs, cats, and ferrets constitute the primary category (Part A), while the remaining species fall under a secondary category (Part B) and are subject to different documentation requirements.

Under the Rules on Dangerous Dogs (Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia No. 117/08), bull terrier-type dogs and their crossbreeds that are not listed in the register of the World Canine Organisation (FCI) are barred from entering Croatia. In practical terms, this means that Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, and their crossbreeds will be refused entry unless they hold a pedigree issued by the Kennel Club of a member country of the FCI. The prohibition on transit, entry, and temporary stay applies equally to all bull terrier-type dogs and their hybrids that lack FCI registration.

Eligibility for entry of a bull terrier-type dog can be demonstrated by producing a pedigree issued by the kennel club of any FCI member country. Owners of such breeds should ensure this document is carried at all times. Exotic species face additional scrutiny: wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats cannot be brought into Croatia under standard pet regulations unless they are at least fifth generation removed from the wild ancestor in their pedigree.

It is possible to bring up to five pets — including dogs, cats, tame ferrets, and birds — into Croatia from non-EU/EEA countries. Moving more than five animals is permissible only if the pets are travelling to take part in competitions, exhibitions, or sporting events, or are being trained for participation in such events.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Croatia?

Rabies vaccination must be carried out by an authorised veterinarian on a pet that is at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination, and the vaccine may not be administered before the animal has been marked with a microchip or tattoo. Non-commercial movement is permitted only while the rabies vaccination remains valid. The requirement that microchipping precede vaccination is critical: if an animal was vaccinated before being microchipped, that vaccination is considered void and the animal must be re-vaccinated against rabies after microchipping has taken place.

Following a primary or first-time vaccination, a minimum waiting period of 21 days must elapse before the pet may travel. This interval allows the animal to develop adequate immunity against rabies. As of 2024, this 21-day period represents the EU-wide minimum; however, some vaccine manufacturers specify a 30-day waiting period, so owners should confirm the exact requirement with their veterinarian and ensure it is reflected clearly in the animal’s documentation.

The authorised veterinarian must record the vaccine name, the date of administration, and the duration of the vaccination’s validity in the pet’s identification document, along with their signature and official stamp. Croatia requires all pets to be vaccinated against rabies annually by law, meaning that maintaining current vaccinations is a continuous legal obligation, not merely a one-time entry condition.

Pets originating from countries classified as high-risk (unlisted third countries) by the EU are subject to an additional requirement. An antibody titration test yielding a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml must be carried out on a blood sample collected by an authorised veterinarian no earlier than 30 days after vaccination, and the result must be confirmed at least three months before the animal crosses the border. The test must be conducted at a certified laboratory. If the result falls below the required level, the animal must be re-vaccinated and a further waiting period of 120 days applies before entry into Croatia is permitted. As of 2024, owners should always verify their country of origin’s classification against the EU list before finalising travel arrangements, since the classification list is reviewed and updated periodically.

Any required treatments — including anti-tapeworm treatment required for entry to certain EU destinations — must be recorded in the pet’s passport or EU health certificate. Croatia does not currently mandate an Echinococcus tapeworm treatment for dogs (unlike certain other EU member states such as Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Norway), but this should be confirmed with your veterinarian before travel, as requirements are subject to change.

For young animals, unvaccinated puppies and kittens under 12 weeks of age may enter Croatia from another EU Member State provided there have been no recorded cases of rabies in the territory where the animal was born during the preceding six months. Additional conditions apply, including microchipping and possession of an EU Pet Passport. The minimum age for entry into Croatia from an unlisted country is seven months.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Croatia, and what paperwork is required?

All preparatory steps necessary to satisfy Croatian import regulations for dogs, cats, or ferrets must be completed in the country of origin, and must be undertaken in the sequence set out below. The following process applies to non-commercial movement, meaning a personal pet travelling with its owner or arriving shortly before or after them.

1. Implant a microchip. The animal must be identified by means of a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785-compliant transponder, implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained veterinary nurse. This step must be completed before the rabies vaccination is given.
2. Administer the rabies vaccination. The microchip must be in place and readable before the rabies vaccine is administered. Your veterinarian must scan the chip prior to vaccination to confirm it is functioning correctly. Following a primary vaccination, a minimum of 21 days must pass before travel, as of 2024.
3. Obtain a rabies antibody titre test if applicable. For pets originating from high-risk (unlisted) third countries, a blood sample must be drawn by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before travel, and the sample must be tested at an EU-approved laboratory. This step does not apply to pets from listed countries.
4. Obtain the correct identification document. The documentation required for entry into Croatia includes evidence of microchipping, a current rabies vaccination, and — where applicable — a rabies titre test result, together with one of the following: an official EU or Northern Ireland Pet Passport (for pets resident in the EU or Northern Ireland); a government-issued pet passport from a Part 1 listed third country; or an Animal Health Certificate for pets entering from Great Britain. Note that UK Pet Passports are no longer valid as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.
5. Have the health certificate issued or endorsed. For pets travelling from outside the EU, the health certificate must be prepared by an officially authorised veterinarian in the country of origin and, in most cases, endorsed by the national veterinary authority of that country. The pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of the endorsement date on the non-commercial health certificate — as of 2024, verify the precise validity window with the relevant national authority before finalising travel plans.
6. Prepare a written owner’s declaration. The owner or their authorised representative must provide a written statement confirming that the animals are not being moved for sale or transfer of ownership, and must make the pet available for inspection at the border.
7. Arrive at an approved border crossing point. Entry of pets from third countries is only permitted at border crossings designated under the Rules on determining entry points for the non-commercial movement of pets (Official Gazette of Republic Croatia No. 53/23). Consult gov.hr for the current list of approved entry points before making travel arrangements.
8. Present all documentation at the border. The import of five or fewer pets is subject to a documentary check and identification and registration by customs officers at the point of entry. Keep all paperwork immediately accessible — do not place it in checked baggage when travelling by air.

Does Croatia require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

No quarantine will be imposed on your pet upon arrival in Croatia, provided all import requirements have been met in full. This represents a considerable advantage compared with countries operating stricter biosecurity regimes — unlike Australia’s mandatory quarantine system, for instance, Croatia imposes no period of enforced isolation on compliant animals, regardless of their country of origin.

If your pet does not meet the applicable regulations, however, quarantine may be imposed where facilities exist. The consequences of non-compliance can be severe: owners who fail to meet the requirements may be refused entry at the Croatian border. In that event, the animal may be returned to the country of origin or held in quarantine at the owner’s expense. If the owner is unable to meet those costs, the animal may in the worst case be euthanised. This makes thorough advance preparation an absolute necessity rather than a precaution.

Pets arriving in EU Member States that fail to satisfy EU requirements may be refused entry or quarantined on arrival at the owner’s cost. Croatian regulations do not specify a fixed maximum quarantine duration for non-compliant animals in publicly available guidance — the outcome in any given case will depend on the nature of the deficiency identified and whether it can be addressed. Owners seeking clarification on particular scenarios should contact the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate directly.

Is Croatia part of any international pet travel scheme?

Croatia participates in the EU Pet Travel Scheme, which enables pets to move freely between EU member states without being placed in quarantine. The European pet passport is a standardised identification document mandated for travel between EU countries. It is issued exclusively to pet owners who are resident within the EU, and applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

The EU pet passport contains a full description and identifying details of the animal — including its microchip or tattoo code — together with its health records (such as rabies vaccination history) and the contact details of both the owner and the issuing veterinarian. An EU pet passport for a dog, cat, or ferret can be obtained from any authorised veterinarian permitted by the relevant authorities to issue such documents. Once you are established as a resident in Croatia, a local veterinarian can issue an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

The EU pet passport itself has no expiry date. However, it remains valid for travel purposes only as long as the recorded rabies vaccination is current — typically every one to three years depending on the vaccine product used. This makes ongoing compliance straightforward in comparison to systems that require entirely new documentation for each individual journey.

For those arriving from outside the EU, the situation is more nuanced. Pets from Andorra, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, or Vatican City State may enter the EU using a pet passport issued under equivalent rules. Pets originating from all other non-EU countries must be accompanied by an official Animal Health Certificate, issued and endorsed by the national veterinary authority of the country of departure. EU Pet Passports are issued only to EU-resident pets and are not required for animals entering the EU from outside its borders.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Croatia?

Under Croatian law, all pets must be vaccinated against rabies, and all dogs must be microchipped. Cats are only required to be microchipped if they will cross into another country. Since microchipping is already a condition of the import process, arriving pet owners will have already satisfied this domestic requirement before setting foot in Croatia.

Dogs must be both registered and microchipped, and rabies vaccination is compulsory. Registration of dogs is administered at the local or municipal level, and newly arrived residents should contact their local municipality (općina) or city office (grad) to register their dog after taking up residence. Registration procedures and associated databases vary between municipalities, with some operating local registries alongside the national microchip database. Fees and processes differ by locality — contact your local authority for current details, as there is no centrally fixed schedule.

Although Croatia does not operate a nationwide annual dog licence fee of the kind found in parts of the United States or Ireland, the obligation to keep vaccinations current and maintain registration represents a meaningful ongoing commitment. The legal requirement for annual rabies vaccination means that routine veterinary costs must be factored into any household budget when planning a relocation to Croatia.

Spot checks for microchipped dogs in public spaces take place from time to time, so ensuring your dog’s chip is both registered and readable is a practical priority as well as a legal one. For those settling in Croatia on a permanent basis, a local veterinarian can update or transfer the microchip registration to a Croatian database and issue an EU Pet Passport for future travel within Europe.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Croatia?

Airline and carrier requirements

Airlines and shipping operators maintain their own policies and conditions for transporting animals, which may go beyond or differ from the government’s entry requirements. Check with your airline or shipping representative well in advance to establish what conditions they impose. Commercial airlines serving Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport that accept pets as passengers include Aegean Airlines, Air France, Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, flydubai, Iberia, KLM, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Pegasus, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines. Whether a pet travels in-cabin or in the hold varies considerably between carriers and depends on the size and species of the animal — always confirm arrangements directly with your airline before booking.

Approved entry points

Pets other than birds, when accompanied by their owner or the owner’s authorised representative, may enter Croatia at specified road border crossings and at Zagreb Airport. Animals accompanied by their owner or authorised person travelling from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City State may enter Croatia through any point of entry, including ports and airports. Pets arriving from another EU Member State may generally use any standard border crossing point.

Transit through unlisted countries

Where possible, flights to Croatia should be direct or routed through a listed third country or another EU Member State. If a pet’s journey involves transit through an unlisted country, a Transit Declaration will be required. This declaration must confirm that the animal had no contact with potentially rabies-carrying animals during transit and remained secured within the aircraft or airport at all times.

Number of pets and commercial regulations

Unaccompanied pets — those not travelling with or within five days of their owner or designated representative — and consignments of more than five animals fall under commercial rather than non-commercial regulations. Importing pets into Croatia under commercial rules is a more involved process requiring additional licensing, and is distinct from relocating a personal pet as part of a household move.

Costs to budget for

There is no single published fee schedule for pet imports into Croatia, and costs can vary considerably. Expenses to account for include veterinary charges for microchipping, vaccination, preparation of health certificates, and — where required — the rabies titre test, as well as any endorsement fees charged by the national veterinary authority in your country of departure. Border inspection fees in Croatia for the non-commercial movement of five or fewer pets are generally handled by customs officers at no charge to the owner, but for larger groups that require veterinary border inspection, fees may apply. Verify current charges with the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at [email protected] before travel.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Croatia?

Pet import regulations are subject to periodic revision, so it is essential to verify current requirements with official sources before finalising any travel plans. The following are the principal authorities to consult:

• gov.hr — Travelling with Pets: The Croatian government’s official web portal provides a clear overview of the core rules governing non-commercial movement of pets, including breed restrictions and required documentation. Available in English, this is the recommended starting point for anyone planning to bring a pet into Croatia.
• gov.hr — Movement of Pets: A companion page that lists the approved border crossing points for pets entering Croatia and provides further detail on documentation and identification requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets arriving from third countries.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate: The principal national authority responsible for veterinary and biosecurity matters. The Directorate can be reached at [email protected] for enquiries about owner obligations, documentation requirements, and any additional conditions that may apply in specific circumstances.
• Croatian Veterinary Institute (HVZ): The Croatian Veterinary Institute publishes useful guidance for pet owners, including information on import requirements and the necessary forms. The website is available in both Croatian and English.
• EU Your Europe — Travelling with Pets: The European Commission’s Your Europe portal provides a pan-EU perspective on the Pet Travel Scheme and explains the rules applicable across all member states, including Croatia. This resource is particularly useful for understanding how Croatia’s national requirements fit within the broader EU framework.
• Croatian Customs Administration: Customs officers stationed at designated border crossings carry out documentary and identification checks for imported pets. The Customs Administration operates under the Ministry of Finance and its contact details can be found at carina.gov.hr.

Rules governing pet imports — including country classifications, approved titre test laboratories, and designated entry points — are liable to change. Always cross-reference information from multiple official sources and, wherever possible, liaise directly with the Croatian veterinary authority well ahead of your planned move.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives at the Croatian border without the correct paperwork?

Owners who arrive without the required documentation may be turned away at the Croatian border. If entry is refused, the animal may be sent back to its country of origin or held in quarantine, with all associated costs falling to the owner. If those costs cannot be met, euthanasia is the worst-case outcome. There is no grace period for paperwork deficiencies — all requirements must be satisfied in full before the animal’s journey begins, not upon arrival.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

For import purposes, dogs and cats are governed by the same regulatory framework and face identical core requirements: microchipping, rabies vaccination, and the appropriate identification document — either an EU Pet Passport or an Animal Health Certificate. The principal difference that arises after arrival is that while all pets must be vaccinated against rabies annually, only dogs are required to be microchipped as an ongoing domestic obligation — cats need microchipping only if they will travel abroad. Breed restrictions apply solely to dogs.

Can I bring a rescue animal into Croatia?

Rescue animals may be imported into Croatia, but they are subject to precisely the same requirements as any other pet: microchipping, rabies vaccination, and the correct documentation. The most common difficulty with rescue animals is incomplete or unknown vaccination history, which may mean that the vaccination sequence must be restarted from the beginning. The movement of unvaccinated animals under three months of age from low-risk countries is permitted if the animal has been in one location since birth and has had no contact with wild animals, and if the owner possesses the required passport or certificate. Confirm your rescue animal’s country of origin classification with the Croatian veterinary authority before making travel arrangements.

How long does the full import process typically take from start to finish?

For pets arriving from EU Member States, the preparation timeline is relatively short — essentially the time needed to complete any outstanding vaccination and to observe the 21-day post-vaccination waiting period. For animals from high-risk (unlisted) third countries, the process is considerably longer: the blood sample for the antibody titre test may not be taken until at least 30 days after vaccination, and a further three months must elapse between sampling and border crossing. This means the minimum preparation period for a pet starting from scratch is approximately four to five months, as of 2024. Starting the process as early as possible is strongly advisable.

Can my pet enter Croatia through any airport or port?

Entry of pets from third countries is restricted to border crossings officially designated under the Rules on determining entry points for the non-commercial movement of pets (Official Gazette of Republic Croatia No. 53/23). For travel by air, Zagreb Airport is the designated entry point for pets arriving from third countries. Animals from certain associated countries such as Norway and Switzerland enjoy greater flexibility and may enter through any border crossing point.

Is there a limit to how many pets I can bring to Croatia?

The number of companion animals — dogs, cats, and/or ferrets — travelling with the owner or authorised representative must not exceed five, unless the animals are attending competitions, exhibitions, or sporting events, the owner provides written proof of registration for the relevant event, and the animals are over six months old. Where more than five pets are brought in from third countries, the movement falls outside the scope of standard customs checks and is instead subject to veterinary inspection at designated veterinary border inspection posts.

Does Croatia recognise pet passports issued in countries outside the EU?

A government-issued pet passport from a Part 1 listed third country is accepted, as is an EU or Northern Ireland Pet Passport for pets resident in the EU or Northern Ireland. For animals from all other countries, an official Animal Health Certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the national veterinary authority of the country of departure is required. Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU, UK-issued Pet Passports are no longer accepted and an Animal Health Certificate must be used instead. Always check the EU country classification list to determine which document is applicable to your situation.

What are the rules for travelling with birds or other non-dog/cat pets?

Species falling under Part B of the relevant EU regulation include invertebrates (with the exception of bees, bumblebees, molluscs, and crabs), decorative aquatic animals such as ornamental fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds other than poultry or birds moved for commercial reasons, and rodents and rabbits. Where pet birds travel in a group of five or fewer, each bird must carry an individual identification mark such as a clip, leg ring, microchip transponder, or tag. The documentation requirements for Part B species differ from those applicable to dogs, cats, and ferrets — consult the Croatian Veterinary Directorate or the gov.hr portal for the specific requirements relevant to your animal.