Luxembourg – Importing a Pet

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

Luxembourg has a high rate of pet ownership and is broadly welcoming to animals being brought into the country. The importation of domestic pets is fully permitted, provided that owners adhere to the relevant EU-wide animal health regulations. The rules primarily address dogs, cats, and ferrets, though a number of other species may also be brought in under specific conditions.

The regulations cover the movement of domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets, including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats that are not at least fifth-generation removed from the wild cannot be imported under these rules. Owners of such animals are advised to contact Luxembourg’s Administration des Services Vétérinaires (Veterinary Services Administration) for guidance before making any travel arrangements.

Smaller companion animals such as domestic rodents, rabbits, aviary birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and ornamental tropical fish may also be brought to Luxembourg from EU countries. These animals are not required to be vaccinated against rabies, but in some cases a health certificate may be necessary for entry. Owners should contact the relevant authorities in their country of residence for precise requirements before travelling.

Luxembourg law designates certain dog breeds as potentially dangerous, among them Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, American Staffordshire Terriers, Tosas, Pitbulls, Boerbulls, and dogs of similar physical characteristics. Importing or purchasing any of these breeds requires special authorisation from the Ministry of Agriculture. This does not constitute an absolute ban, but the additional steps involved mean that owners of such dogs should begin the authorisation process well ahead of any planned move.

Exotic animals and wildlife that fall within the scope of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) are governed by entirely separate regulations and require specific import permits. The Luxembourg Customs and Excise Administration can provide guidance on CITES-related requirements.

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

Rabies vaccination is the fundamental health requirement for all dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Luxembourg. The European Union does not recognise any country as rabies-free, which means that all pets — regardless of their country of origin — must hold valid and current rabies protection before entering.

Before travel, a licensed veterinarian must administer the rabies vaccine to your pet. A critical rule governs the timing: the microchip must be implanted before the vaccination is given. If a pet has already received a rabies vaccination prior to microchip implantation, that vaccination is rendered invalid and the course must be restarted from scratch.

Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before its first rabies vaccination can be administered. Following this initial vaccination, a waiting period of at least 21 days must elapse before the animal may travel (as of 2025). Booster vaccinations must be given before the previous dose expires so that protection remains continuous. If there is a lapse and continuity is broken, the next vaccination is treated as a primary dose, and the full 21-day waiting period applies again before travel is permitted.

For pets originating from countries that the EU classifies as higher-risk — referred to as “unlisted third countries” — an additional testing requirement applies. After microchipping and rabies vaccination have been completed in the correct order, owners must wait 30 days before a licensed veterinarian can administer a rabies antibody titration test, known as the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN) test. This test must be carried out at an EU-approved laboratory (as of 2025).

Beyond the mandatory rabies requirement, a range of additional vaccinations are strongly recommended. These include protection against canine distemper (applicable to ferrets as well), canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline panleukopenia, and feline leukaemia. One exception applies to the advisory nature of these: dogs being transported commercially must be vaccinated against distemper. While not always a legal requirement for entry, these vaccinations represent best practice and may be stipulated by the airline carrier or the authority issuing the official health certificate.

Animals presenting signs of any illness transmissible to humans may be subject to further veterinary examination upon arrival. Any such inspection will be conducted at the owner’s expense. It is advisable to confirm the current health requirements with Luxembourg’s Administration des Services Vétérinaires before finalising travel plans, as these requirements may be updated.

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

Every step required to comply with Luxembourg’s pet import regulations must be completed in the country of origin before departure. The steps must be followed in the correct sequence — particularly the requirement for microchipping to precede vaccination — as reversing or omitting any step can invalidate your entire documentation and require you to begin again.

1. Confirm your country’s EU classification. The EU divides countries into categories: EU member states and territories, Part 1 listed third countries, Part 2 listed third countries, and unlisted countries. The specific requirements for importing a dog, cat, or ferret into Luxembourg depend on which category applies to your country of departure, and whether your pet has passed through an unlisted third country during the four months preceding travel.
2. Microchip your pet. Your pet must be fitted with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. A veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse must perform the implantation. If your pet’s existing microchip does not meet the ISO standard, you may bring your own compatible scanner when travelling. A tattoo may serve as an acceptable form of identification only if it was applied before 3 July 2011, remains clearly legible, and all subsequent rabies vaccinations were administered after the tattoo was applied.
3. Vaccinate against rabies (after microchipping). All dogs, cats, and ferrets aged 12 weeks or over must have a current rabies vaccination that was given at the same time as, or after, microchip implantation. A waiting period of at least 21 days following a primary vaccination must be observed before the animal may travel.
4. Arrange a rabies titer test if required. For pets coming from an unlisted third country, a licensed veterinarian must carry out a rabies antibody titration test at least 30 days after the vaccination was administered. This test must be conducted at a laboratory holding EU approval.
5. Obtain the correct travel document. Your pet’s documentation for entry into Luxembourg must include evidence of microchipping, a valid rabies vaccination, and — where applicable — the results of a rabies titer test, together with one of the following: an official EU or Northern Ireland Pet Passport (for pets already 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. UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.
6. Have the health certificate endorsed by the appropriate government authority. The health certificate must be signed off by the government body responsible for the movement of animals and must be completed by a licensed veterinarian no more than 10 days before the date of travel (as of 2025). Your pet must arrive within the EU within 10 days of the endorsement date (as of 2025).
7. Check airline and transit requirements. If your journey to Luxembourg involves a stopover, routes transiting through another EU member state or a listed third country are preferable. Should your pet pass through an unlisted third country in transit, a Transit Declaration will be necessary.
8. Present documents at the point of entry. For five or fewer animals, identity verification and document checks take place at the passenger entry point. Where more than five animals are being brought in, inspection must be carried out at a designated border control post by veterinary authorities.

For current information on government endorsement fees — which vary by country of issue and are subject to change — consult your national veterinary authority directly. The Guichet.lu official portal offers Luxembourg-specific guidance on all aspects of pet importation.

Does Luxembourg require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Provided all import requirements are satisfied, no quarantine will be imposed on your pet when it enters Luxembourg. This is one of the most reassuring elements of relocating a pet to Luxembourg — in contrast to countries such as Australia or New Zealand, where mandatory quarantine of at least ten days is standard, Luxembourg’s approach as an EU member state places the emphasis on pre-travel documentation and vaccination rather than post-arrival isolation.

For dogs, cats, and ferrets, the absence of quarantine is guaranteed as long as microchipping, rabies vaccination, and the corresponding documentation have all been completed correctly and in the right order. The process of relocating with a pet to Luxembourg is therefore considered relatively smooth compared with many other destinations worldwide.

Non-compliance, however, carries severe consequences. If a pet fails to meet the required standards, it may be placed in quarantine if suitable facilities are available, repatriated to its country of origin, or in the worst case euthanised. All costs arising from any of these outcomes fall on the owner. In situations where an animal is refused entry or denied transport due to missing vaccinations or incorrect documentation, the owner is responsible for arranging its return at their own expense. This underscores how vital it is to complete every step correctly and in sequence before leaving your country of origin.

It is also worth noting that Luxembourg’s entry process is simpler in this respect than that of certain other EU countries — Finland, Ireland, and Malta, for instance, impose additional entry conditions for dogs, including mandatory anti-tapeworm treatment. Luxembourg has no such requirement, which makes it a comparatively uncomplicated destination for most pet owners.

Is Luxembourg part of any international pet travel scheme?

The European Pet Passport is a standardised identification document required for travel between EU member states. As a full participant in the EU, Luxembourg is fully integrated into this scheme, and owners relocating from another EU country will find the process considerably more straightforward than those arriving from outside the bloc.

The European Pet Passport — available for dogs, cats, and ferrets — is issued exclusively to pet owners who are resident within the EU. It contains a description and identifying details of the animal, including its microchip or tattoo code, a record of its health documentation such as rabies vaccinations, and the contact details of both the owner and the issuing veterinarian. Any authorised veterinarian approved by the relevant national authorities may issue a European Pet Passport.

A pet passport remains valid for the lifetime of the animal, provided the health records contained within it — particularly the anti-rabies vaccination — are kept up to date. Once your pet is settled in Luxembourg, a local authorised veterinarian can issue an EU Pet Passport, which will then be valid for future travel across all EU member states.

For owners arriving from outside the EU, the documentation required depends on how the EU classifies the country of departure. Pets travelling 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 in those territories. For all other non-EU countries, an Animal Health Certificate completed by a licensed, government-authorised veterinarian is the required document — not a pet passport.

Owners must carry a valid EU Pet Passport for each dog, cat, or ferret when travelling to Luxembourg. Rabbits and rodents may travel without a passport but should be declared at the border upon arrival.

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

Luxembourg has well-defined post-arrival obligations for pet owners, and these are administered at the communal (municipal) level. Expats should act promptly after settling in their new home to ensure they remain compliant with local rules.

Anyone relocating to Luxembourg from abroad must register their dog with the communal administration within one month of arrival. All dogs are required to be identified by a microchip inserted by a registered veterinarian. Microchipping must take place within four months of birth and within one month of adoption, purchase, or importation if it has not already been carried out.

Registration at the Municipal Office of the relevant Commune must be completed within four months of birth, or within one month of moving from another commune or from another country. The documentation required for registration includes a veterinary certificate confirming the breed and proof of current rabies vaccination. In addition, all dog owners are required to hold civil liability insurance covering their animal.

An annual dog tax is payable to the communal administration. The minimum rate is €10 per year, though the precise amount depends on the commune and some areas charge considerably more — in certain communes the annual rate is €40 per dog (as of 2025). Guide dogs and working dogs, such as those used by police or rescue services, are generally exempt from this tax. Owners should check with their specific commune to establish the applicable rate.

Owners of breeds classified as potentially dangerous in Luxembourg face a more demanding set of requirements. To obtain the necessary authorisation, they must provide: a diploma confirming completion of specific training at an approved dog school; a veterinary certificate confirming that the animal has been castrated; a certificate demonstrating the dog’s successful completion of training (covering a minimum of 24 hours of instruction); and, for owners aged 18 or over, a clean criminal record.

Cats, like dogs, must be microchipped. They are also required to be spayed or neutered, an operation that cannot be carried out before the animal is six months old. Cats are not currently subject to an annual tax, although owners are advised to confirm this with their local commune, as rules can vary between municipalities.

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

Beyond the core documentation and registration requirements, a number of practical considerations can have a significant bearing on how straightforwardly your pet’s journey proceeds — particularly if you are travelling by air.

Only dogs and cats are permitted to travel in the passenger cabin of an aircraft; all other animals must be transported in the hold. As a general rule, each flight accommodates up to three pets in the cabin and one in the hold, although this varies between airlines. A pet may travel in the cabin provided its total weight including the carrier does not exceed 8 kg, and the carrier meets the specified dimensions. You should confirm the exact weight and size restrictions with your chosen airline before booking, as these policies are not uniform across carriers.

Among the commercial airlines operating routes to Luxembourg Findel Airport that accept pets are Aegean, British Airways, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal, and Turkish Airlines. Given that cabin space for animals is limited on most flights, it is strongly recommended that you reserve pet transport at the same time as your own ticket.

A cap applies to the number of animals a single person may bring into Luxembourg on a non-commercial basis. The limit is five pets per traveller. Pets that are unaccompanied, or that travel more than five days before or after their owner or designated representative, or that form part of a group exceeding five animals, are subject to commercial import rules. Commercial imports face stricter requirements, including limitations on which countries of origin are permitted. The European Commission’s pet movement page provides the current list of approved countries for commercial imports.

Specific conditions apply to certain species coming from particular countries. For example, cats may only enter Luxembourg from Australia if they have not been resident in areas where Hendra disease has been confirmed during the 60 days preceding travel. Such country-specific rules are subject to change, and owners should always verify the latest position with the Administration des Services Vétérinaires before making final arrangements.

In terms of costs, you should budget for microchipping (if not yet done), the rabies vaccination, the preparation of the health certificate, and any government endorsement fees. These costs vary considerably depending on your country of departure and the fees charged by your veterinary practice. For current endorsement fees, consult your national veterinary authority directly. The EU’s overall approach to veterinary checks is generally less onerous — and less expensive — than the intensive biosecurity frameworks applied by countries such as Australia or New Zealand.

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

Pet import regulations can change with relatively little advance notice. The sources listed below represent the authoritative references for Luxembourg and the broader EU, and you should consult them directly — particularly in the weeks immediately before your planned travel — rather than depending exclusively on third-party summaries.

• Administration des Services Vétérinaires (ASV) — Luxembourg’s Veterinary Services Administration: The ASV is the principal national authority for animal health and welfare matters in Luxembourg. It oversees the import and export of animals and handles special authorisation requests for restricted breeds. Contact details and further information are accessible through the Guichet.lu animals and pets portal. The ASV can supply the necessary forms and guidance for all pet import enquiries.
• Guichet.lu — Luxembourg’s Official Government Portal: The Guichet.lu portal provides clear step-by-step guidance covering dog registration, the annual dog tax, and the requirements for potentially dangerous breeds. Owners wishing to keep a dog of a restricted breed must complete theoretical training offered by the Lëtzebuerger Associatioun vun de Klengdéierepraktiker (LAK); Guichet.lu sets out the full process in accessible terms.
• European Commission — Pet Movement: Luxembourg operates within EU-wide animal movement regulations. The European Commission’s pet movement pages explain the EU Pet Travel Scheme, country classifications, and the requirements applicable to pets arriving from non-EU countries. This resource is especially useful for understanding how your country of origin determines your specific obligations.
• Your Europe (Europa.eu): The Your Europe portal provides an accessible overview of EU pet travel rules, including the passport scheme, vaccination requirements, and the additional conditions that apply to specific destination countries such as Ireland and Finland.
• Luxembourg Customs and Excise Administration: For questions relating to CITES permits for exotic animals or customs requirements for commercial pet imports, the Administration des douanes et accises is the appropriate point of contact. Their information can be found through the main Guichet.lu portal.

Always verify the current requirements directly with these official sources before travelling, as regulations, fees, and country classifications are all subject to revision. When in doubt, contact Luxembourg’s Administration des Services Vétérinaires directly before confirming your travel plans.

Frequently asked questions

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

Any pet that fails to meet import regulations may be placed in quarantine if suitable facilities are available, repatriated to its country of origin, or euthanised. All costs associated with any of these outcomes are borne by the owner. It is not possible to remedy missing documentation once you have reached the border, which makes thorough preparation before departure absolutely essential.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

The core entry requirements — an ISO-compliant microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and the appropriate travel document or health certificate — apply equally to both dogs and cats. Post-arrival obligations diverge, however: dogs must be registered with the commune and are subject to an annual dog tax, while cats must be spayed or neutered. Cats must also be microchipped. Breeds of dog classified as potentially dangerous are subject to a significantly more extensive set of requirements than cats.

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

The length of the process depends on your country of departure. An owner arriving from another EU country with a pet holding a valid EU Pet Passport and an up-to-date rabies vaccination may simply need to confirm the passport is current. From a non-EU country, you should allow a minimum of four to six weeks to accommodate microchipping, vaccination, and the mandatory 21-day waiting period. For pets arriving from an unlisted third country, an additional 30-day wait is required before the rabies titer test can be administered, extending the overall timeline to roughly three to four months. Starting the process as early as possible is strongly advisable.

Can I bring a rescue animal into Luxembourg?

Yes, rescue animals may be brought into Luxembourg, but they must fulfil exactly the same microchipping, vaccination, and documentation requirements as any other pet. The particular challenge with rescue animals is that their vaccination history may be incomplete or unverifiable, meaning vaccinations may need to be restarted from the beginning with the full waiting period observed. Rescue animals imported through an organisation rather than by a private individual are subject to commercial import regulations, and the rescue must originate from a country on the EU’s approved list.

Can I bring more than five pets to Luxembourg?

Each traveller may bring up to five animals on a non-commercial basis. Where the number is five or fewer, document verification and identity checks take place at the standard passenger entry point. Movements involving more than five animals must be inspected at a designated border control post by veterinary authorities, and such transfers are generally treated as commercial imports, carrying a stricter set of compliance obligations.

Do I need a special permit to import a dog breed considered dangerous in Luxembourg?

Yes. Importing or purchasing breeds including the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Mastiff, American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa, Pit Bull, Boerbull, and dogs sharing similar morphological characteristics requires special authorisation from the Ministry of Agriculture. To be granted this authorisation, you must submit a diploma confirming completion of specific training at an approved dog school, a veterinary certificate confirming the animal has been castrated, proof that the dog has successfully completed its own training programme of at least 24 hours, and a clean criminal record if you are aged 18 or over. This process should be started well before your planned arrival date.

What travel document does my pet need if I am moving from Great Britain?

Pets entering Luxembourg from Great Britain — that is, England, Scotland, or Wales — require an Animal Health Certificate. UK Pet Passports are no longer valid for this purpose and will not be accepted as a substitute. The Animal Health Certificate must be completed by a licensed veterinarian and officially endorsed by a recognised government authority, such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Great Britain. Your pet must reach the EU within 10 days of the endorsement date, and a new certificate is required for every journey.

Are there any rules about what my pet needs once settled in Luxembourg?

Yes — a number of ongoing obligations apply once your pet is living in Luxembourg. Dog owners must register their animal with the communal administration within one month of arrival. An annual dog tax is payable, with a minimum rate of €10 per year varying by commune (as of 2025). Civil liability insurance is also mandatory for dog owners. Cats must be microchipped and spayed or neutered. For all pets, keeping vaccinations current throughout their time in Luxembourg remains a legal and practical requirement.