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From another EU country
Bringing your pet to Switzerland
Inside the EU it’s simple: an EU pet passport, a microchip and a rabies shot at least 21 days before travel.
Time you needAt least 22 days if you start from scratch
Easy to get wrong on this route
- DogsBringing a dog with docked ears or tail — Switzerland bans importing them.
- A late rabies booster — the 21-day wait starts again.
Your Switzerland plan, dated to the day
Every deadline worked out for your travel date, calendar reminders and a travel-day checklist.
Build my plan — free preview$19 to unlock the PDF · 14-day money-back promiseDifficultyEasy
QuarantineNone if rules are met
Rabies blood testNot needed
PermitNo permit
Rules checked Oct 28, 2026 against official sources · Dogs & cats · Free route check for your date →
Flying from somewhere else?From the US →
Step by step
- At least 21 days beforeMicrochip, then rabies vaccine
Microchip before the vaccine; pet at least 12 weeks old at its first rabies shot. Wait 21 days after a first vaccination — boosters given on time need no wait. - Before you travelEU pet passport
Issued by an authorised vet to EU residents, with the microchip and a valid rabies vaccination recorded. It stays valid for life as long as the vaccine is kept up to date.
Watch out
- Switzerland accepts puppies and kittens under 16 weeks whose rabies vaccine isn’t valid yet — with a passport declaration of no contact with wild animals, or travelling with their vaccinated mother.
- Up to 5 pets per person; more only for a registered competition, show or sporting event, with every pet over 6 months.
- A late booster means the 21-day wait starts again.
- Microchip after the rabies shot = the vaccine does not count. Vaccinate again and wait 21 days.
- Switzerland isn’t in the EU but accepts EU pet passports. Pets are checked at a permitted border point.
- Switzerland bans importing dogs with docked ears or tails. Check the Swiss rules (FSVO) before you go.
Official sources: europa.eu · www.blv.admin.ch · www.blv.admin.ch. Not legal or veterinary advice — confirm with your vet, your airline and the destination's authority.
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