Dog or cat from the Dominican Republic to Croatia: the rules

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Croatia

      Microchip

      Your pet must be identified with a microchip, implanted (or read) no later than the day of its rabies vaccination.

      Details and the official words

      Travelling between EU countries, a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 is also accepted instead of a microchip.

      “must be identified by the implantation of a microchip”

      “The date of administration of the vaccine does not precede the date of identification or reading of the microchip.”

      “The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must be identified by the implantation of a microchip”

      “a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011.”

   2. VaccinationEntering Croatia

      Rabies vaccination

      Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. The vaccination becomes valid 21 days after the primary course is completed; boosters must be given before the previous vaccination expires.

      Details and the official words

      “The pet animal was at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine was administered.”

      “The period of validity of the vaccination starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol for the primary vaccination”

      “The animal was at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine was administered.”

      “The period of validity of the vaccination starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol for the primary vaccination, and any subsequent vaccination was carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination.”

   3. Blood testEntering Croatia

      Rabies antibody blood test (titer)

      A vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the primary vaccination; a designated lab must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. The health certificate can only be issued 90 days or more after the sample date.

      Details and the official words

      No need to repeat the test if the pet is revaccinated within the validity of the previous vaccination.

      “at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, or within a current valid vaccination series, and not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the animal health certificate”

      “equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. Vet examLeaving the Dominican Republic

      Health certificate from a vet, with an up-to-date vaccination record

      Take your pet to a vet for a health certificate. Bring an up-to-date vaccination record with a current rabies vaccination and a current parasite treatment, a microchip where your destination requires one, and any extra document your destination asks for (such as a rabies blood test). Get the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) signature and stamp when it is required.

      Details and the official words

      “Certificado de salud emitido por médico veterinario.”

      “Récord o tarjeta de vacunación actualizado.”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente.”

      “Documentación adicional exigida por el país de destino (Serología vacuna de Rabia).”

      “Obtener firma/sello del COLVET cuando sea requerido.”

   2. PaperworkThe Dominican Republic and Croatia

      EU animal health certificate

      An official (or authorised) veterinarian completes the EU animal health certificate and the competent authority endorses it. It is valid for entry for 10 days from issue (longer by the length of a sea journey), then for onward EU travel for up to 6 months.

      Details and the official words

      DIGEGA validates the documents; official inspection at the port of exit: Present the documents to DIGEGA (Ciudad Ganadera, Santo Domingo, Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm) to be signed and stamped (RD$ 500), and complete the VUCE single-window process where it applies. DIGEGA answers within 1 to 24 hours. Then go to the port of exit, where an official vet inspects your pet and issues the zoosanitary certificate.

      “valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks at the travellers' points of entry”

      “In the case of a transport by sea, that period of 10 days is extended by an additional period corresponding to the duration of the journey by sea.”

      “remain valid for bringing pet dogs, cats or ferrets into the EU if issued before 1 October 2026”

      “Presentar la documentación ante DIGEGA para validación (Firma y sellado).”

      “Realizar el proceso correspondiente en VUCE cuando aplique.”

      “Dirigirse al puerto de salida para la inspección veterinaria oficial y emisión del certificado zoosanitario correspondiente.”

      “Lunes a Viernes de 8:00 am – 4:00 pm”

      “1-24 Horas”

      “RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA; conviene validar si existen costos adicionales asociados al trámite/VUCE o al destino.”

   3. PaperworkEntering Croatia

      Non-commercial declaration

      You (or the person you authorise) sign a written declaration that the movement is not commercial. If someone else travels with the pet, you must travel within 5 days before or after it.

      Details and the official words

      “a written declaration completed by the owner or an authorised person”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. RouteEntering Croatia

      Enter through a travellers' point of entry

      Arrive through a travellers' point of entry designated by the EU country, and contact the authority there for the document and identity check.

      Details and the official words

      “must pass through a travellers' point of entry designated by each EU country”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the Dominican Republic.

The trip back asks for 5 steps: vet examination within 72 hours before departure, internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination, rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure and rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and more.