Dog or cat from the Dominican Republic to Switzerland

Dogs

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Switzerland

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped before (or at the same time as) its rabies vaccination.

      Details and the official words

      “All animals must be chipped (before the rabies vaccination) and must have a valid rabies vaccination and the necessary supporting documents.”

      “vaccinations are valid only after microchip implantation”

   2. VaccinationEntering Switzerland

      Rabies vaccination

      Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when first vaccinated. The vaccination becomes valid 21 days later; keep boosters up to date so there's no gap.

      Details and the official words

      “The first vaccination is possible from the age of 12 weeks.”

      “It only takes effect (in other words becomes valid) 21 days later.”

      “above an age of 12 weeks and without lapses in vaccination”

   3. Blood testEntering Switzerland

      Rabies antibody blood test (titer)

      Because your pet comes from (or was recently in) a rabies-risk country, a vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and an EU-approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. Your pet can enter Switzerland no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample.

      Details and the official words

      The FSVO says the 3-month wait applies to the first entry and to animals vaccinated and/or tested in a third country. We always show it; a Swiss pet tested in Switzerland before it left may not need to wait — check with the FSVO.

      List of approved labs: 'EU-designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests' (linked from the FSVO page).

      If this is missed: If the waiting period isn't over, the FSVO writes the earliest entry date on the authorisation ('import not before').

      “To confirm the effectiveness of rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody test (titration) from a designated laboratory is required and long waiting times have to be complied with.”

      “only tests from EU-approved laboratories and with blood samples that were taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination are valid”

      “enter 3 months at the earliest after the blood sampling. This applies to the first entry and for animals that were vaccinated and/or tested in a third country”

   4. PermitEntering Switzerland

      FSVO import authorisation (flying in from a rabies-risk country)

      For a pet flying into Zurich, Geneva or Basel from (or after a stay in) a rabies-risk country, send the FSVO application form (one per animal, with the microchip, vaccination and lab report proofs) to infobew@blv.admin.ch at least 21 days before the planned entry date.

      Details and the official words

      The authorisation is needed when the pet enters by direct flight through Zurich, Geneva or Basel airport and travels with its owner (or a person with written power of attorney).

      If the authorisation says 'only valid with veterinary certificate', the pet also needs the health certificate below.

      “For direct entry by plane an import authorisation from the FSVO is also required.”

      “sent 21 days at the latest before the planned date of entry”

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 Switzerland

      Veterinary health certificate

      Your pet needs the veterinary health certificate (EU model) issued by the authorities of the country you're travelling from. It's valid for 10 days from issue to the entry check. If your pet already met Switzerland's requirements before it left (e.g. a Swiss pet coming home), a valid Swiss or EU pet passport is enough instead.

      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.

      “If your animal already meets the necessary requirements before travelling to Switzerland, you will need a valid Swiss or EU pet passport.”

      “If your animal does not meet the requirements that apply in Switzerland, or the animal is travelling to Switzerland for the first time, you will need the veterinary certificate below, which is issued by the authorities in the exporting country”

      “This animal health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian”

      “not less than 90 days prior to the date of issue of this animal health certificate”

      “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. Travel day and arrival

   1. RouteEntering Switzerland

      Entry check at an approved entry point

      Coming from outside Europe, your pet must have an entry check: fly into Basel, Geneva or Zurich (in the cabin or as excess baggage) and take the red customs exit with your pet and its documents.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: During the mandatory entry control, animals with missing documents are refused entry.

      “An entry control must always be carried out. You must present the animal at the red customs exit.”

      “Animals can be directly brought into Switzerland by plane either accompanied (in the passenger cabin or as excess luggage) via the airports in Basel, Geneva or Zurich”

Cats

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Switzerland

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped before (or at the same time as) its rabies vaccination.

      Details and the official words

      “All animals must be chipped (before the rabies vaccination) and must have a valid rabies vaccination and the necessary supporting documents.”

      “vaccinations are valid only after microchip implantation”

   2. VaccinationEntering Switzerland

      Rabies vaccination

      Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when first vaccinated. The vaccination becomes valid 21 days later; keep boosters up to date so there's no gap.

      Details and the official words

      “The first vaccination is possible from the age of 12 weeks.”

      “It only takes effect (in other words becomes valid) 21 days later.”

      “above an age of 12 weeks and without lapses in vaccination”

   3. Blood testEntering Switzerland

      Rabies antibody blood test (titer)

      Because your pet comes from (or was recently in) a rabies-risk country, a vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and an EU-approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. Your pet can enter Switzerland no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample.

      Details and the official words

      The FSVO says the 3-month wait applies to the first entry and to animals vaccinated and/or tested in a third country. We always show it; a Swiss pet tested in Switzerland before it left may not need to wait — check with the FSVO.

      List of approved labs: 'EU-designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests' (linked from the FSVO page).

      If this is missed: If the waiting period isn't over, the FSVO writes the earliest entry date on the authorisation ('import not before').

      “To confirm the effectiveness of rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody test (titration) from a designated laboratory is required and long waiting times have to be complied with.”

      “only tests from EU-approved laboratories and with blood samples that were taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination are valid”

      “enter 3 months at the earliest after the blood sampling. This applies to the first entry and for animals that were vaccinated and/or tested in a third country”

   4. PermitEntering Switzerland

      FSVO import authorisation (flying in from a rabies-risk country)

      For a pet flying into Zurich, Geneva or Basel from (or after a stay in) a rabies-risk country, send the FSVO application form (one per animal, with the microchip, vaccination and lab report proofs) to infobew@blv.admin.ch at least 21 days before the planned entry date.

      Details and the official words

      The authorisation is needed when the pet enters by direct flight through Zurich, Geneva or Basel airport and travels with its owner (or a person with written power of attorney).

      If the authorisation says 'only valid with veterinary certificate', the pet also needs the health certificate below.

      “For direct entry by plane an import authorisation from the FSVO is also required.”

      “sent 21 days at the latest before the planned date of entry”

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 Switzerland

      Veterinary health certificate

      Your pet needs the veterinary health certificate (EU model) issued by the authorities of the country you're travelling from. It's valid for 10 days from issue to the entry check. If your pet already met Switzerland's requirements before it left (e.g. a Swiss pet coming home), a valid Swiss or EU pet passport is enough instead.

      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.

      “If your animal already meets the necessary requirements before travelling to Switzerland, you will need a valid Swiss or EU pet passport.”

      “If your animal does not meet the requirements that apply in Switzerland, or the animal is travelling to Switzerland for the first time, you will need the veterinary certificate below, which is issued by the authorities in the exporting country”

      “This animal health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian”

      “not less than 90 days prior to the date of issue of this animal health certificate”

      “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. Travel day and arrival

   1. RouteEntering Switzerland

      Entry check at an approved entry point

      Coming from outside Europe, your pet must have an entry check: fly into Basel, Geneva or Zurich (in the cabin or as excess baggage) and take the red customs exit with your pet and its documents.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: During the mandatory entry control, animals with missing documents are refused entry.

      “An entry control must always be carried out. You must present the animal at the red customs exit.”

      “Animals can be directly brought into Switzerland by plane either accompanied (in the passenger cabin or as excess luggage) via the airports in Basel, Geneva or Zurich”

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.