Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Colombia → Norway
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
Colombia is in the group “Any other third country — rabies antibody titer test needed” in Bringing a dog, cat or ferret into Norway’s published list.See every group
Headlines for Norway
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Tapeworm treatment for some pets
- Designated entry point for some trips
- Extra disease test for some origins
What your dog needs
Dogs
Identification
Microchip
Your pet must be identified with an ISO microchip (11784, HDX or FDX-B) before its rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO-standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.”
“The microchip has to comply with the ISO 11784 standard and it has to utilize HDX or FDX-B technology.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated by an authorised vet. The vaccination is valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination; a booster given before the old one expires has no waiting period.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when the vaccine is administered.”
“The period of validity starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for a primary vaccination.”
“No anti-rabies vaccination is required for animals travelling only between Norway and Sweden.”
Blood test
Rabies antibody blood test (titer)
Because you're coming from a country that isn't on the listed-country list, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; an approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. The sample must be taken at least 3 months before your pet enters Norway. No need to repeat it if boosters stay up to date.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet's page doesn't say whether a Norwegian pet tested before it left the EEA can skip the 3-month wait when it comes home. We show the wait; ask Mattilsynet if that's your case.
“The test must have been carried out on a blood sample collected at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and not less than three months prior to entering Norway.”
“equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml”
“The test does not have to be renewed following a satisfactory result provided that the pet animal is revaccinated within the period of validity of the previous vaccination.”
Treatment
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
A vet must treat your dog (puppies too) against Echinococcus with praziquantel (or epsiprantel) 24 to 120 hours before you enter Norway, and record it in the certificate or pet passport. You can't do it yourself.
Details and the official words
Dogs that cross often between Norway and the EU (or the listed European countries) can instead follow the '28-day rule': treated twice at most 28 days apart before travelling, then every 28 days for as long as they keep travelling, with a final treatment in Norway.
Not needed when coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
“An anti-echinococcus treatment is required for dogs, including puppies.”
“The treatment must be administered 24 – 120 hours prior to entering Norway.”
“No anti-echinococcus treatment is required for dogs travelling to Norway directly from Finland, Malta, Ireland or Northern Ireland.”
“The owners of the dogs may not treat the animals themselves.”
Paperwork
EU pet health certificate
Your pet needs an animal health certificate (EU model) from an official vet in the country you're travelling from, valid for 10 days from issue until the check on entry. A pet returning to Norway can instead use its EEA pet passport if it was vaccinated (and titer-tested, if needed) before it left the EEA.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet links a certificate model under the older EU rules (Regulation (EU) No 577/2013). The EU switched to a new model (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705) for certificates issued from 1 October 2026. Ask your official vet or Mattilsynet which model Norway accepts.
Health certificate from a vet registered with ICA (within 5 days of departure): A vet registered with ICA examines your pet and issues its health certificate, dated no more than 5 calendar days before you leave Colombia. It describes the pet, confirms the clinical exam (no signs of contagious or parasitic disease, no recent wounds), records the internal and external parasite treatment given as the destination requires (product, batch, active ingredient, date) and comes with the current vaccination certificate (original and copy) following the destination's vaccination plan.
“As the main rule, the identification document must be in the format of an animal health certificate”
“may be accompanied by a pet passport complying with the model laid down in Part 3 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013”
“animals returning to Norway (or another EEA-country), may be accompanied by their pet passport as long as the animal received the anti-rabies vaccination and underwent the rabies antibody titration test (if necessary) before the pet left the EEA”
“This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks”
“con fecha de expedición no mayor a cinco (5) días calendario previos a la salida del país”
“Que a la mascota se le haya realizado un examen clínico y no haya presentado signos compatibles con enfermedades infectocontagiosas transmisibles o parasitarias, y no posea heridas recientes, suturas o lesiones en fase aguda.”
“Que la mascota recibió antes del viaje un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, administrado de acuerdo con las exigencias del país de destino, con productos que estén debidamente autorizados en Colombia, indicando:”
Route
Enter through Oslo Airport or Storskog
Your pet must enter Norway through Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) or Storskog (Kirkenes), where you contact Mattilsynet and show the pet and its documents. Pets from Svalbard can also use Tromsø (airport and port) or the port of Bodø.
Details and the official words
At Storskog, pets must arrive between 09:00 and 14:00.
If you travel via another EU/EEA country, your pet can be checked at an EU travellers' point of entry there; after that you can use other Norwegian border crossings (take the red channel).
“Animals from other third countries or territories must be brought into Norway only through Oslo Airport or Storskog.”
“Once the pet has been checked at a travellers' point of entry, you can use other border crossings besides Oslo Airport and Storskog.”
“Travelers with pets must arrive at Storskog between 09:00 and 14:00.”
Official stamp
ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the airport, port or border
Your vet files the CIS request in ICA's SISPAP system with your details, the pet's and the supporting documents (and the rabies antibody result where the destination asks for one). The request can be used within 5 calendar days of its creation. You receive the request number and a payment link by email (or pay by card at the ICA office), then take your pet and any other documents your destination asks for to the ICA office you chose at the airport, port or border, where ICA issues the CIS if the inspection is satisfactory.
Details and the official words
“La solicitud del certificado de inspección sanitaria – CIS y los documentos soporte tendrán vigencia para ser utilizados dentro de los cinco (5) días calendario a partir de su momento de creación”
“Si la inspección es satisfactoria, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS).”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some cases
Tell Mattilsynet you're coming (recommended)
Notify Mattilsynet at your entry point at least 48 hours before you arrive, so you don't wait long for the check. Oslo Airport: +47 22 77 79 00, bipg@mattilsynet.no.
Details and the official words
“The Norwegian Food Safety Authority should be notified at least 48 hours before arrival in order to avoid a long waiting time before the check can be carried out.”
Good to know
- Six dog breeds are banned in Norway, including crossbreeds with any proportion of them: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. Wolf-dog hybrids are also considered dangerous.
- Former stray dogs and cats (from shelters, ownerless, or of unknown background) can in practice only come to Norway if you've owned and kept the animal for at least 6 months before entering — be ready to prove it.
- Before you travel, check with Mattilsynet whether any safeguard measures apply to the country you're travelling from.
- Bring to the ICA office any document your destination asks for that wasn't uploaded with the request: for example the EU certificate annex, the 'Veterinary certificate to Great Britain', Brazil's international veterinary certificate, an entry authorisation (Japan, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago) or the CDC permit when it applies.
- ICA only lets a pet leave if it meets the destination's requirements. It can issue the CIS without all of them only if you show an authorisation from the destination's authority that lets your pet in under those conditions.
- For a pregnant female the vet's certificate states roughly how far along she is and whether the journey is advisable.
What your cat needs
Cats
Identification
Microchip
Your pet must be identified with an ISO microchip (11784, HDX or FDX-B) before its rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO-standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.”
“The microchip has to comply with the ISO 11784 standard and it has to utilize HDX or FDX-B technology.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated by an authorised vet. The vaccination is valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination; a booster given before the old one expires has no waiting period.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when the vaccine is administered.”
“The period of validity starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for a primary vaccination.”
“No anti-rabies vaccination is required for animals travelling only between Norway and Sweden.”
Blood test
Rabies antibody blood test (titer)
Because you're coming from a country that isn't on the listed-country list, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; an approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. The sample must be taken at least 3 months before your pet enters Norway. No need to repeat it if boosters stay up to date.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet's page doesn't say whether a Norwegian pet tested before it left the EEA can skip the 3-month wait when it comes home. We show the wait; ask Mattilsynet if that's your case.
“The test must have been carried out on a blood sample collected at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and not less than three months prior to entering Norway.”
“equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml”
“The test does not have to be renewed following a satisfactory result provided that the pet animal is revaccinated within the period of validity of the previous vaccination.”
Paperwork
EU pet health certificate
Your pet needs an animal health certificate (EU model) from an official vet in the country you're travelling from, valid for 10 days from issue until the check on entry. A pet returning to Norway can instead use its EEA pet passport if it was vaccinated (and titer-tested, if needed) before it left the EEA.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet links a certificate model under the older EU rules (Regulation (EU) No 577/2013). The EU switched to a new model (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705) for certificates issued from 1 October 2026. Ask your official vet or Mattilsynet which model Norway accepts.
Health certificate from a vet registered with ICA (within 5 days of departure): A vet registered with ICA examines your pet and issues its health certificate, dated no more than 5 calendar days before you leave Colombia. It describes the pet, confirms the clinical exam (no signs of contagious or parasitic disease, no recent wounds), records the internal and external parasite treatment given as the destination requires (product, batch, active ingredient, date) and comes with the current vaccination certificate (original and copy) following the destination's vaccination plan.
“As the main rule, the identification document must be in the format of an animal health certificate”
“may be accompanied by a pet passport complying with the model laid down in Part 3 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013”
“animals returning to Norway (or another EEA-country), may be accompanied by their pet passport as long as the animal received the anti-rabies vaccination and underwent the rabies antibody titration test (if necessary) before the pet left the EEA”
“This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks”
“con fecha de expedición no mayor a cinco (5) días calendario previos a la salida del país”
“Que a la mascota se le haya realizado un examen clínico y no haya presentado signos compatibles con enfermedades infectocontagiosas transmisibles o parasitarias, y no posea heridas recientes, suturas o lesiones en fase aguda.”
“Que la mascota recibió antes del viaje un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, administrado de acuerdo con las exigencias del país de destino, con productos que estén debidamente autorizados en Colombia, indicando:”
Route
Enter through Oslo Airport or Storskog
Your pet must enter Norway through Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) or Storskog (Kirkenes), where you contact Mattilsynet and show the pet and its documents. Pets from Svalbard can also use Tromsø (airport and port) or the port of Bodø.
Details and the official words
At Storskog, pets must arrive between 09:00 and 14:00.
If you travel via another EU/EEA country, your pet can be checked at an EU travellers' point of entry there; after that you can use other Norwegian border crossings (take the red channel).
“Animals from other third countries or territories must be brought into Norway only through Oslo Airport or Storskog.”
“Once the pet has been checked at a travellers' point of entry, you can use other border crossings besides Oslo Airport and Storskog.”
“Travelers with pets must arrive at Storskog between 09:00 and 14:00.”
Official stamp
ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the airport, port or border
Your vet files the CIS request in ICA's SISPAP system with your details, the pet's and the supporting documents (and the rabies antibody result where the destination asks for one). The request can be used within 5 calendar days of its creation. You receive the request number and a payment link by email (or pay by card at the ICA office), then take your pet and any other documents your destination asks for to the ICA office you chose at the airport, port or border, where ICA issues the CIS if the inspection is satisfactory.
Details and the official words
“La solicitud del certificado de inspección sanitaria – CIS y los documentos soporte tendrán vigencia para ser utilizados dentro de los cinco (5) días calendario a partir de su momento de creación”
“Si la inspección es satisfactoria, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS).”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some cases
Tell Mattilsynet you're coming (recommended)
Notify Mattilsynet at your entry point at least 48 hours before you arrive, so you don't wait long for the check. Oslo Airport: +47 22 77 79 00, bipg@mattilsynet.no.
Details and the official words
“The Norwegian Food Safety Authority should be notified at least 48 hours before arrival in order to avoid a long waiting time before the check can be carried out.”
Good to know
- Former stray dogs and cats (from shelters, ownerless, or of unknown background) can in practice only come to Norway if you've owned and kept the animal for at least 6 months before entering — be ready to prove it.
- Before you travel, check with Mattilsynet whether any safeguard measures apply to the country you're travelling from.
- Bring to the ICA office any document your destination asks for that wasn't uploaded with the request: for example the EU certificate annex, the 'Veterinary certificate to Great Britain', Brazil's international veterinary certificate, an entry authorisation (Japan, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago) or the CDC permit when it applies.
- ICA only lets a pet leave if it meets the destination's requirements. It can issue the CIS without all of them only if you show an authorisation from the destination's authority that lets your pet in under those conditions.
- For a pregnant female the vet's certificate states roughly how far along she is and whether the journey is advisable.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Colombia to Norway?
Yes: Because you're coming from a country that isn't on the listed-country list, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; an approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Norway?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Norway?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet must be identified with an ISO microchip (11784, HDX or FDX-B) before its rabies vaccination.