Moving with Pets & Animals to Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) (Bundesamt für Veterinärwesen BVET or Office Vétérinaire Fédéral OVF) provides comprehensive information, in English, on the importation and exportation of all animals: dogs, cats, birds, fish, and more. 

For information on:

• Importing animals (arriving in Switzerland): Click here
• Exporting animals (leaving Switzerland): Click here

Importing Domestic Cats & Dogs

Domestic dogs and cats originating from countries where urban rabies (rage) is not endemic may be imported into Switzerland without a permit providing they have up-to-date rabies vaccinations. 

Dogs and cats originating from countries with endemic urban rabies may only be imported if a permit is issued by the FVO. 

The canton of Geneva considers some breeds of dogs dangerous and has restricted the ownership of these breeds. 

• For more information on restrictions on dangerous dogs in Geneva, see the INFOrmation Page, Essential Animal Information for Pets in Switzerland

Cats and dogs from rabies-free countries

No border examination by a veterinary officer is required when up to three animals are imported together and are accompanied by a person.

It is not necessary for the animal to be identified by microchip or tattoo.

The animal must travel with a veterinary certificate stating that it has been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days and not longer than one year before crossing the border is required. The certificate may be written in German, French, Italian or English (for other languages an officially attested translation must be submitted) 

The certificate must contain the following information:

• Animal's owner (name and address)
• Description of the animal: breed, sex, age, colour, means of identification (microchip or tattoo)
• Confirmation that the animal was submitted to a veterinary examination prior to vaccination and found in good health
• Date of the rabies vaccination, lot number and name of the manufacturer
• Address and signature of the veterinarian

Puppies and kittens up to five months old from European countries (except Turkey and the former States of the Soviet Union) or from the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand may be imported without a rabies vaccination certificate. However, a veterinary health certificate stating the animal's age must be available.

Cats and dogs from countries with rabies

Applications for import permits should be sent at the latest three weeks before the planned date of entry. Use one application form per animal. Applications for import permits can be sent by fax post or e-mail to: 

• Fax: +41 (0)31 323 85 22 
• Post: Federal Veterinary Office, Schwarzenburgstrasse 155, 3003 Berne
• e-mail

On arrival at a Swiss border, the animals will have a veterinary border inspection and documentation must be shown. 

• The animals must be identified by tattoo or microchip (model isonorm ISO 11784 or annex A of ISO 11785; animals with other microchips must travel with a compatible chip scanner for use by the border vets).
• The animals must have proof of vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the regulations. A blood sample must be taken from the animal not prior to 30 days after vaccination and more than three months before planned importation.

Animals younger than seven months may not be imported (the rabies inoculation process would be incomplete).

There are some restrictions for dogs coming from Malaysia and Australia.

Documents needed (in original form):

• certificate of vaccination
• health certificate
• permit

Note: Animals will be turned back if they do not fulfill the import conditions. 
Note: Inspections are not possible at all borders at all times.

Re-importing cats and dogs

When living in Switzerland and travelling with a dog or cat outside the country, it will be necessary (in order to get back into the country) to carry a veterinary certificate stating that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days and not longer than one year before crossing the border.

The process is simpler in the case of animals with valid pet passports. Consult the pets vet before leaving Switzerland.

Docked ears and tails

Switzerland does not permit the docking of ears or tails. A docked animal is allowed in for a maximum period of three months and must accompany the owner. A person relocating to Switzerland with a docked animal must be able to prove that they have been the owner for a least six months prior.

Importing Other Animals 

Before importing or exporting any other animal it is important to contact the FVO. 

Rabbits must be inoculated against rabies. Birds may be put into quarantine until it is established that there is no danger of parrot fever. Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, canaries and certain aquarium fish may be imported without veterinary certification or other formalities (particular customs regulations are reserved).

All other animals require an import permit or their importation is prohibited. 

• For full details see the FVO website

For the latest regulations regarding the importation or keeping of pets in Switzerland contact the FVO.

Transporting Animals

Some companies specialise in transporting animals and can look after the formalities such as importation and exportation, quarantine and transportation to and from the airport and the transport of horses to shows. 

• See the Rex Transport website
• For more  information on travelling by plane with a pet, see the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website: Click here

Contacts

• FVO Animal Import Help Desk 
  Open: Monday to Friday 08:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 16:30
  Tel: +41 (0)31 323 85 24 or +41 (0)31 323 85 09
  Fax: +41 (0)31 323 85 22
  e-mail
• Full contact details of all departments of the FVO: Click here

Related Information

• The Federal Veterinary Office (FVO)
• European Union information regarding moving pets and other animals 
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Essential Animal Information for Pets in Switzerland
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Moving with Pets & Animals to France
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Essential Animal Information for Pets in France