Romania – Importing a Pet

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

Romania accepts the import of dogs and cats, along with a variety of smaller companion animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. That said, the rules governing entry — and the documentation an owner must produce — vary considerably depending on the species involved, the country of departure, and whether the move is a non-commercial relocation or involves the sale or transfer of an animal.

The standard pet import framework covers domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets, including those trained as assistance or service animals. Owners bringing in other types of animals — such as reptiles, amphibians, birds, or rodents — are subject to entirely separate import regulations. If you intend to relocate with a parrot, a tortoise, or a rabbit, contact the Romanian Embassy in your home country or reach out directly to ANSVSA for guidance specific to that species before finalising any travel arrangements.

Romania enforces breed-specific restrictions on certain dogs. The import of Bandogs, Boerboels, and Pit Bulls is prohibited outright. In addition, the following breeds are required to wear a muzzle whenever they appear in public: German Shepherd Dog, Doberman Pinscher, Belgian Malinois, Dogo Canario, Komondor, Kuvasz, and Riesenschnauzer. Attempting to bring in a prohibited breed can result in confiscation, financial penalties, and legal proceedings. If your dog resembles or could be mistaken for a restricted type, confirm its status with ANSVSA prior to departure.

Wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats may not be imported under standard pet travel rules unless they are at least five generations removed from the wild ancestor. Exotic animals — including primates, wild felids, birds of prey, and venomous reptiles — are subject to additional or complete prohibitions under both Romanian law and EU wildlife protection legislation. Always confirm the current position on any non-standard species before attempting to bring one into Romania.

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

Every dog, cat, and ferret aged over 12 weeks that enters Romania must carry proof of a current rabies vaccination that was administered at the same time as, or after, a microchip was implanted. An animal may not travel to Romania until a minimum of 21 days has elapsed since the primary rabies vaccine — this waiting period is standard across all EU member states as of 2025. Where a booster vaccination is given before the previous dose has expired, it is treated as continuous protection rather than a new primary course, so the 21-day waiting period does not restart.

The EU does not designate any country as rabies-free; all dogs, cats, and ferrets — regardless of origin — must therefore comply with the current rabies vaccination requirements. The EU classifies countries as either “listed” or “unlisted,” and the specific entry requirements for Romania depend on which category your country of origin falls into and whether your pet has visited an unlisted country in the four months preceding travel. Owners arriving from “unlisted” countries face more demanding conditions, including the completion of a rabies antibody titre test.

Beyond rabies, a number of additional vaccines are strongly recommended — and in many cases required on the health certificate — before travelling to Romania. Dogs should be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHLPP) as well as Bordetella. Cats should be vaccinated against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP). These vaccinations must be current at the point of import and should be administered no fewer than two weeks before the export date. Records of deworming treatment must also be entered in the pet’s health book or passport.

If you are relocating from an “unlisted country,” your pet will require a rabies antibody test — commonly known as a titre test. Three months must pass after the test before the animal may cross into the EU, unless the test was performed prior to the pet leaving the EU, in which case no waiting period applies. Always confirm the current titre test requirements with ANSVSA or the relevant veterinary authority in your country of origin, as these conditions are subject to change.

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

Begin preparations at least 30 days before your planned travel date — every animal must be microchipped and vaccinated before entry. The steps set out below relate primarily to the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets. All steps required to meet the regulations must be completed in the country of origin, and they must be followed in the sequence given.

1. Implant a microchip. Your pet must be identified by a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip. This is the only form of identification currently accepted under EU rules as of 2025. The chip must be inserted by a veterinarian before the rabies vaccination is administered. Retain documentation showing the microchip manufacturer and ensure the pet’s details are registered in the relevant manufacturer or government database in your country of origin.
2. Administer the rabies vaccination. Once the microchip has been confirmed as readable, an authorised veterinarian must vaccinate your pet against rabies. The animal must then wait at least 21 days — or the period specified by the vaccine manufacturer — before arriving at the port of entry. Retain all vaccination certificates, as these must accompany your pet throughout the journey.
3. Complete additional vaccinations and parasite treatments. Bring all other required vaccinations up to date — including distemper and parvovirus for dogs, and FVRCP for cats — and ensure that deworming has been carried out and documented in the pet’s health book or passport.
4. Arrange a rabies titre test if required. If you are moving from an “unlisted” country, a titre test will be necessary. Factor in adequate time for the test and any required waiting period when setting your travel date. Check the current requirements with ANSVSA or your origin country’s veterinary authority before proceeding.
5. Obtain a health certificate from an accredited vet. Animals travelling to the EU from outside it must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin. For non-commercial travel, the certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure. It must include proof of microchipping, a full vaccination record, and a signed owner declaration. The final page of the EU Health Certificate includes a declaration section that must be completed and signed by the owner or their designated representative before travel.
6. Obtain government endorsement of the certificate where required. In certain countries, the health certificate must be endorsed by a national authority before it will be accepted at the EU border. The animal must enter the EU within 10 days of the endorsement date. Check with your origin country’s veterinary authority whether endorsement is required and what the process involves.
7. Travel with your pet within the permitted window. All animals must enter Romania with their owner or within five days of the owner’s arrival. If this five-day window cannot be met, the movement is automatically classified as a commercial one, which significantly increases costs and alters the EU import requirements.
8. Present documents at the border. Entry into the EU with a pet must take place through a designated travellers’ point of entry in the destination country. Competent authorities at the point of entry will check your pet’s documents and verify its identity. For air travel, the designated entry points in Romania are Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport and Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport.

Does Romania require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Provided all import requirements are fully satisfied, your pet will not be placed in quarantine upon entering Romania. This is consistent with the approach taken across the EU more broadly: in contrast to countries such as Australia, which mandates a quarantine period of up to 10 days in a government-approved facility for virtually all incoming animals regardless of documentation, the EU — and therefore Romania — places the emphasis on pre-travel vaccination and documentary compliance rather than post-arrival isolation.

If a pet fails to meet the required regulations, the authorities may impose quarantine where facilities are available, return the animal to the country of origin, or in extreme cases order euthanasia. All associated costs fall to the owner. This underscores the importance of meticulous preparation before departure; non-compliance can have grave consequences for your animal’s welfare.

Where quarantine is imposed — for instance because documentation is incomplete or vaccination timelines were not followed — the facility in Romania is administered by ANSVSA. The quarantine period can range from 21 to 120 days depending on the country of origin and the pet’s health status. Transport to the facility and the costs of care during quarantine are borne by the owner. Ensuring every document is in order before you leave is the most effective way to avoid this outcome entirely.

Is Romania part of any international pet travel scheme?

The governing European legislation for the movement of pets and animals is Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013. As a full EU member state, Romania participates in the EU Pet Travel Scheme. This means that pets arriving from other EU countries benefit from simplified entry procedures and are not required to produce the full set of import documentation that applies to animals arriving from outside the EU.

Pets travelling within the EU must be accompanied by a current EU Pet Passport. This standardised document, issued by an authorised veterinarian, records the animal’s microchip number, vaccination history, and owner’s details. It functions in much the same way as a human passport — providing a single portable record that can be verified quickly by border authorities across all EU member states. If your pet already holds a valid EU Pet Passport obtained during a previous move within the EU, it remains valid for entry into Romania.

Owners arriving from countries outside the EU must follow a different procedure. Where neither an EU Pet Passport nor an equivalent document from a recognised country is held, an EU health certificate is required. Owners travelling from Great Britain — that is, England, Scotland, or Wales — must present an Animal Health Certificate; UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as an equivalent document. This change reflects the post-Brexit adjustment to animal travel arrangements between the UK and the EU and continues to catch out owners who moved to Britain from the EU and still hold older documents.

Certain non-EU countries have adopted EU-equivalent pet travel legislation. Norway and Switzerland, while outside the EU, have aligned their rules with EU standards for the import of most live animal species, and pets with valid EU-style passports issued in those countries may be treated in a manner comparable to EU-originating animals. Confirm the current recognition status with ANSVSA before travelling from either of those countries.

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

All pets kept in Romania must be licensed through the local town hall, known as the primărie. To obtain a licence, owners are required to present a copy of the pet’s vaccination certificate, proof of microchip registration, and a valid form of personal identification. You must also provide evidence of payment of the annual licence fee. This fee is set at municipal level and therefore varies between towns and communes — contact your local primărie for the figure that applies in your area. As of 2025, no single nationwide fee exists; amounts differ from one municipality to another.

Romania operates a national dog registry. The ANSVSA website links to the national dog registration portal at registru-caini.ro, where microchipped dogs can be entered into the national database. Registering your dog means that if it is ever lost, it can be reunited with you via its microchip — a particularly practical safeguard given the well-documented challenge Romania faces with stray dogs in urban areas.

Beyond licensing, owners in Romania are obliged to comply with a range of public conduct rules, including keeping pets on a leash in public spaces and clearing up after them. Failure to observe these obligations can lead to fines or legal action. Romanian law also requires specific breeds to be muzzled in public. If your dog falls within a restricted category, familiarise yourself with the precise behavioural obligations that accompany ownership of that breed in Romania.

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

For processing purposes, owners flying into Romania with a pet should use either Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport or Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport. The total number of companion animals — dogs, cats, and/or ferrets — that may travel with one owner or authorised person is capped at five, unless the animals are participating in competitions or sporting events, the owner can provide written evidence of event registration, and the pets are over six months old.

Airlines and shipping companies each maintain their own policies on the transport of live animals, and these vary considerably. Contact your carrier directly to find out what they require. Policies on in-cabin versus hold travel differ between airlines: small pets in approved carriers are generally permitted in the passenger cabin, while larger animals must travel as checked baggage or as cargo. Brachycephalic breeds — flat-faced dogs and cats such as Bulldogs and Persians — may face additional restrictions or outright bans from certain carriers due to the health risks associated with reduced airflow during flight. Always confirm the position with your airline well ahead of travel.

The five-day rule is an important practical matter for owners who are unable to travel on the same flight as their pet. If you cannot keep your pet’s arrival within five days of your own, the movement is automatically reclassified as commercial. This reclassification brings stricter import requirements, a different health certificate format, and potentially more complex customs procedures — along with increased costs. Plan your travel carefully to avoid this situation where possible.

Romania does not levy a dedicated pet import tax as a standalone charge, but owners should budget for veterinary costs covering vaccinations, microchipping, health certificates, and any government endorsement fees payable in the country of origin. Border inspection charges may also apply on arrival — check with ANSVSA for the current fee schedule, as these figures can change. As with most EU member states, the financial burden is concentrated at the preparation stage rather than on arrival.

Romania makes provision for the travel of very young pets. Animals under 12 weeks of age that have not yet been vaccinated against rabies, or those between 12 and 16 weeks of age that have been vaccinated but have not yet completed their immunity window, may travel provided either that a declaration is appended to the passport confirming the animal has had no contact since birth with wild species susceptible to rabies, or that the animal is travelling with its vaccinated mother. This provision is particularly relevant to breeders or owners who need to relocate with very young animals.

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

The principal authority for pet imports in Romania is the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (Autoritatea Națională Sanitară Veterinară și pentru Siguranța Alimentelor — ANSVSA). ANSVSA is based at Corp D1, Piața Presei Libere 1, Bucharest, and can be contacted on (+4) 0372-184977. Their official website at ansvsa.ro provides current legislation, entry checklists, and contact details for county-level veterinary directorates. This should always be your first port of call for up-to-date requirements, since regulations change and information from third-party sources may be out of date.

The European Commission’s “Your Europe” portal offers clear, accessible guidance on EU-wide pet travel rules as they apply to Romania as a member state. Visit europa.eu/youreurope for the current EU Pet Travel Scheme requirements, including a breakdown of what is required depending on your country of origin. This resource is especially useful for understanding how Romania’s rules compare with those of the country you are moving from.

If you are moving from outside the EU, your origin country’s government veterinary authority is an essential reference point. It will advise you on which health certificate format is needed, whether official government endorsement is required, and what the current processing time for that endorsement is. Processing times differ markedly from one country to another — in some cases, endorsement can take several weeks — so factor this into your planning timeline from the outset.

Romania’s national dog registry portal at registru-caini.ro is the place to record your dog’s microchip details in the national database after arriving in the country. For local licensing, visit your local primărie once you have established residence — requirements and fees are determined at municipal level, and the town hall is the definitive source of information on what applies in your area.

Readers are strongly advised to verify all requirements directly with ANSVSA and with their origin country’s veterinary authority before travelling, as vaccination waiting periods, certificate formats, and applicable fees are all subject to change.

Frequently asked questions about importing a pet into Romania

What happens if my pet arrives in Romania without the correct paperwork?

An animal that does not meet the import regulations may be placed in quarantine if suitable facilities are available, returned to the country of origin, or euthanised in extreme cases. Every cost incurred falls to the owner. This makes thorough preparation before you leave absolutely essential. Do not set off until you are certain that every document is complete, valid, and in the correct format.

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

A minimum of 30 days’ lead time is recommended for owners travelling from EU or listed countries. For owners moving from “unlisted” countries where a rabies titre test is required, the timeline is considerably longer — at least four to five months — since three months must elapse after the titre test before the animal may cross into the EU. Build this into your relocation schedule from the very beginning.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

The fundamental requirements — microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate — are identical for dogs, cats, and ferrets. The main differences relate to the additional recommended vaccinations: dogs require DHLPP and Bordetella, while cats require FVRCP. Breed-specific restrictions are applicable only to dogs. Wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats cannot enter under standard pet travel rules unless they are at least five generations removed from the wild pedigree line.

Can I bring a rescue animal or adopted stray into Romania?

Rescue animals are eligible for import, but they must satisfy precisely the same documentation requirements as any other pet — a compliant microchip, a valid rabies vaccination given after microchipping, a health certificate, and where applicable a titre test. Animals rescued from outside the EU often lack verifiable vaccination histories, which can complicate the process considerably. The requirements will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether the animal has been in an unlisted country within the preceding four months. Engage a veterinarian with experience in international pet movement when handling rescue animals.

Can I bring more than one pet into Romania at a time?

Under non-commercial rules, a maximum of five dogs, cats, or ferrets may travel with a single owner. If you are relocating with more than five animals — or if the movement involves sale, adoption, or change of ownership — it is classified as a commercial movement, which brings stricter documentation requirements and additional costs. Exceptions exist for animals participating in competitions or shows, provided they are over six months of age and the owner can provide written proof of event registration.

Are there any restrictions on the time of year I can travel to Romania with a pet?

Romania imposes no seasonal restrictions on pet imports as a general rule. However, individual airlines may suspend live animal transport during periods of extreme heat or cold — particularly for animals travelling in the hold — due to welfare concerns. This is especially relevant if you are travelling with a large dog that cannot be accommodated in the cabin. Always review your airline’s live animal policy at the time of booking.

Do I need to do anything special if my pet has a non-ISO microchip?

Your pet must carry a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip. If the existing chip does not meet this standard, one option is to bring your own microchip scanner so that border officials can read it. Alternatively, consult your veterinarian about implanting a compliant chip alongside the existing one. Bear in mind that if a new chip is inserted, the rabies vaccination must be administered after the new chip is in place for it to remain valid under EU rules.

Where do I register my dog once I have arrived in Romania?

All pets in Romania must be licensed through the local town hall. You will need to produce your pet’s vaccination certificate, proof of microchip registration, and a copy of your identification. Dogs should additionally be entered into the national registry at registru-caini.ro. Make contact with your local primărie promptly after establishing residence to fulfil this obligation and to find out the annual licence fee that applies in your municipality.