Dog or cat from Ecuador to Germany: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Germany

      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 Germany

      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 Germany

      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 Ecuador

      Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)

      A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.

      Details and the official words

      “La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”

      “El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”

      “Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”

   2. PaperworkEcuador and Germany

      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

      Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the 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”

      “Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”

   3. Official stampLeaving Ecuador

      Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip

      Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.

      Details and the official words

      “Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”

      “Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”

   4. PaperworkEntering Germany

      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 Germany

      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 Ecuador (dogs).

The trip back asks for 6 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (cats).

The trip back asks for 6 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.