Dog or cat from Kenya to Hungary: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Hungary

      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 Hungary

      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 Hungary

      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 Kenya

      Health certificate from a vet registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board

      A vet registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board examines your pet and issues a veterinary health certificate. You upload a copy of it, with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate, when you apply for the export certificate.

      Details and the official words

      “Issued by registered veterinarians with Kenya Veterinary Board.”

   2. PaperworkKenya and Hungary

      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

      International veterinary certificate (VS16) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services: Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the international veterinary certificate for dogs and cats (VS16), issued per consignment. You need a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number and copies of the vet's health certificate, the vaccination certificate and the import permit from the destination country; for the European Union, also a copy of the EU health certificate. Pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per pet) by M-PESA or at the bank, then receive the certificate on the platform.

      Processing fee: KES 0 to 500 per pet (KenTrade's estimate). M-PESA paybill 522522, account 1106972791. Kenya's 1998 fee schedule sets KES 500 per dog or cat for an export health certificate.

      InfoTrade lists a copy of the destination's import permit for every export. If your destination doesn't issue one (EU countries and the UK, for example), ask DVS what to upload instead.

      “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”

      “The certificate is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and is issued per consignment.”

      “Unique consignment reference (UCR) number”

      “From the country of destination.”

      “EU export health certificate (copy)”

      “For MPESA payments, the paybill number is 522522 and the account number is 1106972791.”

      “KES 0 - KES 500 per pet”

      “Export health certificates and movement permits excluding laboratory tests:”

   3. PaperworkEntering Hungary

      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 Hungary

      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”

The trip back asks for 8 steps: import permit (VS01) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, microchip (or other permanent identification), rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment and rabies vaccination within the last year and more.