Exit guide
Taking a dog or cat out of Poland
The steps the authorities in Poland require before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it. The destination adds its own requirements on top: pick it below, or make a dated plan.
Limited official guidance. Chief Veterinary Inspectorate publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. The national page only says the destination decides and lists per-country certificates. The timing below comes from the Warsaw county veterinary inspectorate's own page; other counties may differ, so ask yours.
The steps
Vet exam
Medical-veterinary declaration from a vet at any clinic (valid 48 hours)
Applies when: you do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
A vet at any clinic issues a medical-veterinary declaration that is valid for 48 hours. The county veterinarian bases the health certificate on it, together with proof of your pet's current rabies vaccination (in the passport or health booklet).
Details and the official words
“na podstawie ważnego 48 godzin orzeczenia lekarsko – weterynaryjnego wystawionego przez lekarza weterynarii w dowolnej lecznicy oraz dowodu aktualnego szczepienia przeciwko wściekliźnie (w paszporcie lub książeczce zdrowia)”
Official stamp
Health certificate issued by your county veterinarian (Powiatowy Lekarz Weterynarii)
Applies when: you do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
The county veterinarian issues the health certificate for companion animals taken out to non-EU countries. The certificate is valid for 15 days.
Details and the official words
“Powiatowy Lekarz Weterynarii wystawia świadectwa zdrowia dla zwierząt towarzyszących wywożonych do krajów trzecich”
“Świadectwo wystawione przez Powiatowego Lekarza Weterynarii jest ważne 15 dni.”
Good to know
- The rules for bringing a pet into a non-EU country are set by that country. GIW lists links and extra material for the most visited ones. Plan your return too.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
- Some countries (the Warsaw inspectorate names Australia, Japan and South Africa) require health certificates on their own models and a pre-export certificate. If the destination has its own certificate, show it to your county vet with a sworn Polish translation.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
- Planning to bring your pet back to the EU? After a short stay in a non-EU country you can skip the 3-month wait after the rabies blood test, but only if, before you leave the EU, your pet was vaccinated against rabies, passed a successful titer test, and your vet recorded both in its EU pet passport. So do the blood test before you go.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
Where are you taking your pet?
Routes from Poland where we cover both sides.