Bringing Your Pet to Germany from Brazil

Moving from Brazil to Germany with a dog or cat is absolutely doable — thousands do it every year — but the paperwork is stricter than for pets travelling within the EU, and the single biggest mistake is starting too late. Because of one blood test and its mandatory three-month waiting period, you need to begin the process four to five months before you fly. This guide lays out every step, in order, with the official EU and German sources so you can verify each requirement yourself.

1. Why Brazil is a "non-listed" country

The EU divides the world into listed and non-listed third countries for pet travel. Listed countries (such as the USA or the UK) are considered to have controlled rabies risk and their pets skip the blood test. Brazil is a non-listed third country, which means one extra — and time-critical — requirement applies: a rabies antibody titration test. This is the step that dictates your whole timeline, so understand it first.

The rules cover dogs, cats and ferrets, and you may bring a maximum of five animals unless you can prove attendance at a competition or show. Pets must travel with you or within five days of your own movement.

2. The six required steps (in order)

3. A realistic timeline

Working backwards from your flight, here is a typical sequence. Build in buffer — vet appointments, lab turnaround and state-vet scheduling all take time.

4. The EU animal health certificate

Unlike an EU pet passport (only issued inside the EU), pets coming from Brazil travel on an EU animal health certificate. Key rules:

• Issued by an official (government-authorised) veterinarian in Brazil, not just any private clinic — in Brazil this is coordinated through the agriculture ministry's veterinary service.
• Issued no more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU.
• Valid for onward travel within the EU for 4 months from issue (or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever is sooner).
• You must also sign a written declaration that the movement is non-commercial.

Carry the original certificate, the vaccination record and the titer test report — plus copies — in your hand luggage, never in checked baggage.

5. Arriving in Germany

Enter at a designated Travellers' Point of Entry and follow the "goods to declare" / red channel if directed. German customs (Zoll) and border veterinary staff may scan the microchip and check that it matches every document. If anything is missing or inconsistent, your pet can be refused entry, quarantined or returned at your expense — so triple-check dates and the chip number beforehand.

6. Banned and restricted breeds — read this before you buy a ticket

Germany has a federal import ban on specific breeds under the Hundeverbringungs- und -einfuhrbeschränkungsgesetz (HundVerbrEinfG). You may not bring the following into Germany, and this includes crossbreeds containing these bloodlines:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier

On top of the federal ban, each German state (Bundesland) keeps its own list of breeds considered dangerous, with extra rules such as muzzling, leashing, temperament tests (Wesenstest), liability insurance or keeping permits. A breed that is legal to import may still face restrictions in the state where you'll live, so check the rules for your destination state (e.g. Bavaria, NRW, Hesse, Berlin) before you move.

7. Flying with your pet

• Cabin vs cargo: small pets (usually under ~8 kg incl. carrier) may fly in-cabin on some airlines; larger dogs travel as manifested cargo in a heated, pressurised hold.
• IATA-compliant crate: the carrier must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations — right size, ventilation, secure fastenings, water dish. Buy it early and let your pet get used to it.
• Airline booking: pet spaces are limited per flight — reserve your pet's spot when you book, and confirm the airline accepts your route and breed. Lufthansa and other carriers publish specific pet-travel rules.
• Sedation is generally discouraged for flights; ask your vet about safe options and acclimatisation instead.

8. Your first days in Germany with a dog

• Dog tax (Hundesteuer): dogs must be registered with the local municipality and an annual dog tax paid — the amount varies by city and can be higher for listed breeds.
• Liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht): compulsory for dogs in many states and strongly advised everywhere.
• Leash and muzzle rules vary by state and city — check local Ordnungsamt requirements.
• Find a local vet and transfer your records; keep the microchip registered to your new German address (e.g. via TASSO or FINDEFIX databases).

9. Frequently asked questions

Can I use an EU pet passport instead of the health certificate?

No — EU pet passports are only issued inside the EU. Coming from Brazil you travel on an EU animal health certificate. Once you and your pet are settled in Germany, a local vet can issue an EU pet passport for future travel within the EU.

My dog was vaccinated before it was microchipped. Is that a problem?

Yes. A rabies vaccination only counts if it was given after (or at the same time as) the microchip. If the order was wrong you'll need to re-vaccinate and restart the titer timeline.

Does the titer test expire?

As long as the rabies vaccination is kept up to date without a lapse, a satisfactory titer result generally remains valid for the life of that continuous vaccination record — but always confirm with your official vet, as a lapsed booster resets everything.

What about cats — are the rules the same?

Yes. Cats (and ferrets) from Brazil follow the same microchip, rabies vaccine, titer test, waiting period and health-certificate requirements. Breed import bans apply to dogs only.