Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Israel to Switzerland: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies antibody blood test (titer) and 2 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 10 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Switzerland puts Israel in the group “Group 3 (rabies risk) country”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed, import permit needed and arrive at a set entry point.
- No quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
We’re re-checking these rules. An official source they rely on has changed since we last verified them, so something here may be out of date. Before you book or travel, confirm the details with the official authority.
- Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets · page changed, noticed 13 Oct 2026
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Israel publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Israel's Veterinary Services publish the export procedure on a gov.il service page (last updated June 2025), read from a stored copy because gov.il blocks automated readers. It says that the international health certificate must be signed by the Veterinary Services before your pet leaves and that your private vet applies online through the 'Ye'ela' system. The page's details by destination (the US; Canada, the EU and some other countries; all other countries) load only by script, and no stored copy of them exists, so we don't know how long before departure to apply, where the certificate is signed, or the fee. Ask your vet or the Veterinary Services' import-export unit (03-9688986) before you plan the dates.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test (titer) (enter no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test (titer) (enter no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Arrive at a set entry point
How early to start (cats)
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test (titer) (enter no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test (titer) (enter no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Arrive at a set entry point
Which rules apply to you
Switzerland puts Israel in the group “Group 3 (rabies risk) country”. See every group
Official name: Group 3: rabies risk countries (everything not in groups 1 and 2) — titer test, 3-month wait, FSVO licence for direct flights
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Israel → Switzerland
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Israel (leaving) or Switzerland (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
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”
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”
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”
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”
In the days before you travel
PaperworkIsrael 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.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Health certificate signed by Israel's Veterinary Services: Before your pet leaves Israel, its international health certificate must be signed by Israel's Veterinary Services. Your private vet fills in and signs the certificate your destination asks for and submits it online in the Veterinary Services' 'Ye'ela' system; a government veterinarian then signs it. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
The service page's details by destination and the list of offices that sign pet export certificates didn't load from the stored copy. Ask your vet how far ahead to submit the request and where the certificate is signed.
“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”
“שירות זה מספק מידע לאזרחים ולווטרינרים על הנפקת תעודות בריאות בינלאומיות שיש להחתים לפני שמוציאים חיות מחמד לחו"ל.”
“הגשת בקשה מקוונת לווטרינרים במערכת "יעלה" - יצוא חיות מחמד”
“יום החתימה הקובע הוא יום החתימה על ידי הרופא הווטרינר הפרטי”
Travel day and arrival
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”
Good to know
- Switzerland bans importing dogs with docked tails or cropped ears. Owners living abroad may bring such a dog for a holiday or short stay against a deposit at customs, and people moving to Switzerland may bring theirs as household effects (ask customs first). A dog with a naturally short tail needs FSVO confirmation, applied for at least 3 weeks before arrival.
- The FSVO's country list applies subject to temporary protective (sanitary) measures. Check the FSVO's current protective measures for the country you travel from.
- Until further notice, the Veterinary Services offer no pet-export service at Ashdod port: signed health certificates can't be sent to or collected at Ashdod through the Ye'ela system, and certificates aren't signed by hand there.
- If your destination needs a rabies blood test, an Israeli vet takes the sample, fills in the Veterinary Institute's online form (with the exact sampling date and the microchip number), pays in the ministry's online shop and delivers the printed form and the sample to the Veterinary Institute's reception. The result is emailed to the vet and to you; the cost depends on the number of tests.
- Planning to come back to Israel soon? If no more than 30 days have passed since your private vet signed the export health certificate, Israel accepts that certificate, signed by an Israeli government vet, for the return trip instead of a certificate from the country you're coming from (for a dog, also bring its valid dog licence).
Cats
Get ready
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”
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”
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”
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”
In the days before you travel
PaperworkIsrael 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.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Health certificate signed by Israel's Veterinary Services: Before your pet leaves Israel, its international health certificate must be signed by Israel's Veterinary Services. Your private vet fills in and signs the certificate your destination asks for and submits it online in the Veterinary Services' 'Ye'ela' system; a government veterinarian then signs it. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
The service page's details by destination and the list of offices that sign pet export certificates didn't load from the stored copy. Ask your vet how far ahead to submit the request and where the certificate is signed.
“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”
“שירות זה מספק מידע לאזרחים ולווטרינרים על הנפקת תעודות בריאות בינלאומיות שיש להחתים לפני שמוציאים חיות מחמד לחו"ל.”
“הגשת בקשה מקוונת לווטרינרים במערכת "יעלה" - יצוא חיות מחמד”
“יום החתימה הקובע הוא יום החתימה על ידי הרופא הווטרינר הפרטי”
Travel day and arrival
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”
Good to know
- The FSVO's country list applies subject to temporary protective (sanitary) measures. Check the FSVO's current protective measures for the country you travel from.
- Until further notice, the Veterinary Services offer no pet-export service at Ashdod port: signed health certificates can't be sent to or collected at Ashdod through the Ye'ela system, and certificates aren't signed by hand there.
- If your destination needs a rabies blood test, an Israeli vet takes the sample, fills in the Veterinary Institute's online form (with the exact sampling date and the microchip number), pays in the ministry's online shop and delivers the printed form and the sample to the Veterinary Institute's reception. The result is emailed to the vet and to you; the cost depends on the number of tests.
- Planning to come back to Israel soon? If no more than 30 days have passed since your private vet signed the export health certificate, Israel accepts that certificate, signed by an Israeli government vet, for the return trip instead of a certificate from the country you're coming from (for a dog, also bring its valid dog licence).
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Israel publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
FSVO import authorisationEntering Switzerland60 CHF
Per authorisation, from the FSVO fee ordinance (in force 1 December 2025).
“Die Gebühr für eine Bewilligung nach Artikel 12 EDAV-DS46 oder nach der EDAV-Ht47 beträgt 60 Franken.”
Verordnung über die Gebühren des Bundesamtes für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (Gebührenverordnung BLV, SR 916.472), Stand 1. Dezember 2025 · as of 2025-12-01
Government fees in total: 60 CHF (each currency separately)
May also apply, depending on your case
FSVO fee when a pet doesn’t meet the entry rulesEntering Switzerland120 CHF
Only if your pet fails the entry check and the FSVO orders measures; the measures themselves (e.g. return or isolation) cost extra.
“Artikel 30 der Verordnung vom 28. November 201443 über die Ein-, Durch- und Ausfuhr von Heimtieren (EDAV-Ht) sowie den Artikeln 28–28b und 34–38 der Verordnung vom 4. September 201344 über den Verkehr mit Tieren und Pflanzen geschützter Arten erhebt das BLV eine Gebühr von 120 Franken.”
Verordnung über die Gebühren des Bundesamtes für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (Gebührenverordnung BLV, SR 916.472), Stand 1. Dezember 2025 · as of 2025-12-01
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies antibody blood test (titer)Prices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for Israel: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate (vet’s fee).
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Israel
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Israel (dogs).
The trip back asks for 9 steps: arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat, at least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries), ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination and rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Israel (cats).
The trip back asks for 9 steps: arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat, at least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries), ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination and rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets
- Preparing to travel with pets
- List of countries with their status regarding rabies – dogs, cats, ferrets (06.2026)
- Application form for entry with a dog, cat or ferret from a rabies risk country (Word)
- Health certificate – non-commercial movements of pet dogs, cats, ferrets (EU 2026/705 model)
- Questions and answers on dogs with short tails or clipped ears
- Verordnung über die Gebühren des Bundesamtes für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (Gebührenverordnung BLV, SR 916.472), Stand 1. Dezember 2025
- הנפקת תעודת בריאות לחיות מחמד היוצאות לחו״ל (Issuing a health certificate for pets going abroad), Veterinary Services service page on gov.il, last updated 26 Jun 2025; read from Common Crawl's copy captured 12 Jul 2025 (CC-MAIN-2025-30)
- תהליך יבוא כלבים וחתולים לישראל (Process for importing dogs and cats into Israel), Veterinary Services service page on gov.il, last updated 19 Feb 2025; read from Common Crawl's copy captured 15 Mar 2025 (CC-MAIN-2025-13)
- בדיקה לנוגדני כלבת ובדיקות אחרות עבור בעלי חיים היוצאים מישראל (Rabies antibody test for animals leaving Israel), Veterinary Services service page on gov.il, last updated 11 May 2025; read from Common Crawl's copy captured 20 May 2025 (CC-MAIN-2025-21)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Israel to Switzerland?
Yes: 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.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Switzerland?
Yes: 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.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Switzerland?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Israel to Switzerland?
With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies antibody blood test (titer) and 2 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
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