Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Kenya to Norway: 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 3 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 9 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Norway puts Kenya in the group “Unlisted third country”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed, tapeworm treatment before arrival and arrive at a set entry point.
- Coming back to Kenya? 2 steps have to happen before your pet leaves.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Kenya publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services doesn't publish its export procedure for pets on its own website. We use KenTrade's InfoTrade description of the international veterinary certificate for dogs and cats (VS16), last updated in 2022. It gives no processing time, doesn't say how long before departure to apply, and lists a copy of the destination's import permit for every export. Confirm with the Directorate (infodvs@kilimo.go.ke) before you travel.
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) (sample at least 3 months before entering Norway)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test (titer) (sample at least 3 months before entering Norway)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Tapeworm treatment before arrival
- Arrive at a set entry point
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
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) (sample at least 3 months before entering Norway)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test (titer) (sample at least 3 months before entering Norway)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Arrive at a set entry point
Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.
Which rules apply to you
Norway puts Kenya in the group “Unlisted third country”. See every group
Official name: Any other third country — rabies antibody titer test needed
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from Kenya to Norway
Leaving rules: China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa and Kenya (short summaries, under review). Tap to see what changed.
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Kenya → Norway
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Kenya (leaving) or Norway (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Taking a dog or cat out of Kenya (DVS international veterinary certificate): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Norway
Microchip
Your pet must be identified with an ISO microchip (11784, HDX or FDX-B) before its rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO-standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.”
“The microchip has to comply with the ISO 11784 standard and it has to utilize HDX or FDX-B technology.”
VaccinationEntering Norway
Rabies vaccination
Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated by an authorised vet. The vaccination is valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination; a booster given before the old one expires has no waiting period.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when the vaccine is administered.”
“The period of validity starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for a primary vaccination.”
“No anti-rabies vaccination is required for animals travelling only between Norway and Sweden.”
Blood testEntering Norway
Rabies antibody blood test (titer)
Because you're coming from a country that isn't on the listed-country list, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; an approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. The sample must be taken at least 3 months before your pet enters Norway. No need to repeat it if boosters stay up to date.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet's page doesn't say whether a Norwegian pet tested before it left the EEA can skip the 3-month wait when it comes home. We show the wait; ask Mattilsynet if that's your case.
“The test must have been carried out on a blood sample collected at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and not less than three months prior to entering Norway.”
“equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml”
“The test does not have to be renewed following a satisfactory result provided that the pet animal is revaccinated within the period of validity of the previous vaccination.”
In the days before you travel
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.”
TreatmentEntering Norway
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
A vet must treat your dog (puppies too) against Echinococcus with praziquantel (or epsiprantel) 24 to 120 hours before you enter Norway, and record it in the certificate or pet passport. You can't do it yourself.
Details and the official words
Dogs that cross often between Norway and the EU (or the listed European countries) can instead follow the '28-day rule': treated twice at most 28 days apart before travelling, then every 28 days for as long as they keep travelling, with a final treatment in Norway.
Not needed when coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
“An anti-echinococcus treatment is required for dogs, including puppies.”
“The treatment must be administered 24 – 120 hours prior to entering Norway.”
“No anti-echinococcus treatment is required for dogs travelling to Norway directly from Finland, Malta, Ireland or Northern Ireland.”
“The owners of the dogs may not treat the animals themselves.”
PaperworkKenya and Norway
EU pet health certificate
Your pet needs an animal health certificate (EU model) from an official vet in the country you're travelling from, valid for 10 days from issue until the check on entry. A pet returning to Norway can instead use its EEA pet passport if it was vaccinated (and titer-tested, if needed) before it left the EEA.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet links a certificate model under the older EU rules (Regulation (EU) No 577/2013). The EU switched to a new model (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705) for certificates issued from 1 October 2026. Ask your official vet or Mattilsynet which model Norway accepts.
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.
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.
“As the main rule, the identification document must be in the format of an animal health certificate”
“may be accompanied by a pet passport complying with the model laid down in Part 3 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013”
“animals returning to Norway (or another EEA-country), may be accompanied by their pet passport as long as the animal received the anti-rabies vaccination and underwent the rabies antibody titration test (if necessary) before the pet left the EEA”
“This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks”
“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”
Travel day and arrival
RouteEntering Norway
Enter through Oslo Airport or Storskog
Your pet must enter Norway through Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) or Storskog (Kirkenes), where you contact Mattilsynet and show the pet and its documents. Pets from Svalbard can also use Tromsø (airport and port) or the port of Bodø.
Details and the official words
At Storskog, pets must arrive between 09:00 and 14:00.
If you travel via another EU/EEA country, your pet can be checked at an EU travellers' point of entry there; after that you can use other Norwegian border crossings (take the red channel).
“Animals from other third countries or territories must be brought into Norway only through Oslo Airport or Storskog.”
“Once the pet has been checked at a travellers' point of entry, you can use other border crossings besides Oslo Airport and Storskog.”
“Travelers with pets must arrive at Storskog between 09:00 and 14:00.”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some casesEntering Norway
Tell Mattilsynet you're coming (recommended)
Notify Mattilsynet at your entry point at least 48 hours before you arrive, so you don't wait long for the check. Oslo Airport: +47 22 77 79 00, bipg@mattilsynet.no.
Details and the official words
“The Norwegian Food Safety Authority should be notified at least 48 hours before arrival in order to avoid a long waiting time before the check can be carried out.”
Good to know
- Six dog breeds are banned in Norway, including crossbreeds with any proportion of them: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. Wolf-dog hybrids are also considered dangerous.
- Former stray dogs and cats (from shelters, ownerless, or of unknown background) can in practice only come to Norway if you've owned and kept the animal for at least 6 months before entering — be ready to prove it.
- Before you travel, check with Mattilsynet whether any safeguard measures apply to the country you're travelling from.
- The Directorate of Veterinary Services issues the certificate only once the destination's conditions are met and your pet is healthy and free of disease, so find out your destination's requirements first.
Cats
Taking a dog or cat out of Kenya (DVS international veterinary certificate): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Norway
Microchip
Your pet must be identified with an ISO microchip (11784, HDX or FDX-B) before its rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO-standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.”
“The microchip has to comply with the ISO 11784 standard and it has to utilize HDX or FDX-B technology.”
VaccinationEntering Norway
Rabies vaccination
Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated by an authorised vet. The vaccination is valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination; a booster given before the old one expires has no waiting period.
Details and the official words
“The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when the vaccine is administered.”
“The period of validity starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for a primary vaccination.”
“No anti-rabies vaccination is required for animals travelling only between Norway and Sweden.”
Blood testEntering Norway
Rabies antibody blood test (titer)
Because you're coming from a country that isn't on the listed-country list, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; an approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml. The sample must be taken at least 3 months before your pet enters Norway. No need to repeat it if boosters stay up to date.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet's page doesn't say whether a Norwegian pet tested before it left the EEA can skip the 3-month wait when it comes home. We show the wait; ask Mattilsynet if that's your case.
“The test must have been carried out on a blood sample collected at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and not less than three months prior to entering Norway.”
“equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml”
“The test does not have to be renewed following a satisfactory result provided that the pet animal is revaccinated within the period of validity of the previous vaccination.”
In the days before you travel
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.”
PaperworkKenya and Norway
EU pet health certificate
Your pet needs an animal health certificate (EU model) from an official vet in the country you're travelling from, valid for 10 days from issue until the check on entry. A pet returning to Norway can instead use its EEA pet passport if it was vaccinated (and titer-tested, if needed) before it left the EEA.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Mattilsynet links a certificate model under the older EU rules (Regulation (EU) No 577/2013). The EU switched to a new model (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705) for certificates issued from 1 October 2026. Ask your official vet or Mattilsynet which model Norway accepts.
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.
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.
“As the main rule, the identification document must be in the format of an animal health certificate”
“may be accompanied by a pet passport complying with the model laid down in Part 3 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013”
“animals returning to Norway (or another EEA-country), may be accompanied by their pet passport as long as the animal received the anti-rabies vaccination and underwent the rabies antibody titration test (if necessary) before the pet left the EEA”
“This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks”
“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”
Travel day and arrival
RouteEntering Norway
Enter through Oslo Airport or Storskog
Your pet must enter Norway through Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) or Storskog (Kirkenes), where you contact Mattilsynet and show the pet and its documents. Pets from Svalbard can also use Tromsø (airport and port) or the port of Bodø.
Details and the official words
At Storskog, pets must arrive between 09:00 and 14:00.
If you travel via another EU/EEA country, your pet can be checked at an EU travellers' point of entry there; after that you can use other Norwegian border crossings (take the red channel).
“Animals from other third countries or territories must be brought into Norway only through Oslo Airport or Storskog.”
“Once the pet has been checked at a travellers' point of entry, you can use other border crossings besides Oslo Airport and Storskog.”
“Travelers with pets must arrive at Storskog between 09:00 and 14:00.”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some casesEntering Norway
Tell Mattilsynet you're coming (recommended)
Notify Mattilsynet at your entry point at least 48 hours before you arrive, so you don't wait long for the check. Oslo Airport: +47 22 77 79 00, bipg@mattilsynet.no.
Details and the official words
“The Norwegian Food Safety Authority should be notified at least 48 hours before arrival in order to avoid a long waiting time before the check can be carried out.”
Good to know
- Former stray dogs and cats (from shelters, ownerless, or of unknown background) can in practice only come to Norway if you've owned and kept the animal for at least 6 months before entering — be ready to prove it.
- Before you travel, check with Mattilsynet whether any safeguard measures apply to the country you're travelling from.
- The Directorate of Veterinary Services issues the certificate only once the destination's conditions are met and your pet is healthy and free of disease, so find out your destination's requirements first.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Kenya publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
No government fee is published on the official pages we use for this trip. That doesn’t always mean it’s free: ask the authority.
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 Kenya: microchip, rabies vaccination, parasite treatment, health certificate (vet’s fee), vet examination.
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 Kenya
Do before your pet leaves Kenya
- Rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment
- Rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipment
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
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.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Guide: Travelling with pets to Norway
- Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries and territories to Norway
- Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets from EU-countries to Norway
- Mandatory treatment for echinococcosis for dogs imported to Norway
- Model animal health certificate for non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, or ferrets (PDF)
- Banned dogs (breeds) in Norway
- Tough requirements for the import of stray cats and dogs
- International veterinary certificate for dogs & cats (VS16): export procedure (InfoTrade Kenya, KenTrade)
- International veterinary certificate for dogs & cats (VS16), step 1: apply, generate an e-slip and pay (InfoTrade Kenya, last modified 15/03/2022)
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 Kenya to Norway?
Yes: Because you're coming from a country that isn't on the listed-country list, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; an approved laboratory must measure at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Norway?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Norway?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Kenya to Norway?
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 3 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.