Bringing a cat, dog or ferret to Switzerland
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Entry rules for pet cats, dogs and ferrets travelling with their owner, from the EU and from other countries, as published by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO, OSAV), and how to declare the animal at customs.
Key facts
- From the EU: microchip, valid rabies vaccination and a recognised pet passport.
- From a third country: the same basics, plus an entry control at the red customs exit. From a rabies-risk country, also a rabies antibody test (titre) and long waiting times.
- Maximum five pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) per private vehicle under the pet rules.
- Importing dogs with docked ears and/or tails is prohibited. Depending on the case, exceptions can be made for moving house and short stays (FOCBS, Avec chien et chat en Suisse).
- Dogs: after arrival, register your dog in Vaud: see Dog registration (AMICUS) in Vaud.
Use the FSVO online entry check to see the exact rules for your trip.
1. Rules for every animal
- Microchip first, then the rabies vaccination (a vaccination done before chipping does not count).
- First rabies vaccination possible from 12 weeks of age; it becomes valid 21 days later.
- Exemptions from the rabies vaccination only for young animals up to 16 weeks (with a special owner declaration) and animals that cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds (FSVO permit, form 07/23 on the FSVO page).
- If you cannot travel with your pet, an authorised person may bring it; you must travel between 5 days before and 5 days after the pet, with a written declaration in the pet passport.
- Protected species and wild-cat or wolf hybrids (for example some Savannah or Bengal cats): CITES rules and permits also apply.
2. Coming from the EU
Microchip, valid rabies vaccination and a recognised pet passport. An FSVO permit is only needed when the animal has no valid rabies vaccination.
3. Coming from a non-EU country
- An entry control is always carried out: present the animal at the red customs exit.
- If your animal already meets the Swiss requirements, a valid Swiss or EU pet passport is enough. Otherwise, or on its first trip to Switzerland, you need the veterinary health certificate issued by the authorities of the exporting country.
- FSVO classifies countries as EU, low-risk or rabies-risk. Check the current FSVO country list.
Extra rules from a rabies-risk country:
- Rabies antibody test from an EU-designated laboratory, result at least 0.5 IU/ml, on blood taken at least 30 days after vaccination.
- Entry not earlier than 3 months after the blood sample.
- Animals under seven months old cannot enter from high-risk countries.
- Direct arrival by plane (Zurich, Geneva or Basel) needs an FSVO import permit, applied for online. Apply at least 21 days before arrival, with the documents that show the import rules are met (OITE-AC art. 14, RS 916.443.14).
- Animals with missing documents are refused entry.
4. Declaring at customs
- Declare the animal in person at a staffed border crossing during the opening hours for travellers. The declaration box and the QuickZoll app cannot be used for pets (FOCBS).
- Not every border crossing accepts animals: check the FOCBS list of customs offices.
- Moving your other belongings: see Customs: moving your household goods.
5. Cats after arrival
Chip registration and any commune rules for cats: To verify with your commune.
6. Insurance
Damage caused by your pet to other people is usually a question for private liability insurance: see Household and personal liability insurance. Check your policy covers animals.