Dog or cat from Morocco to Poland: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Poland

      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 Poland

      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 Poland

      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. PaperworkMorocco and Poland

      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

      ONSSA export health certificate (150 dirhams): An ONSSA official vet issues your pet's health certificate on the model agreed with your destination (ONSSA lists them by destination country). Ask the veterinary service where you live how and when to apply. The fee for a veterinary health certificate for exporting live animals is 150 dirhams per 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”

      “Contrôle à l’exportation des animaux de compagnie (Chiens, Chats et Furets)”

      “Certificat sanitaire vétérinaire à l’exportation des animaux vivants et des produits de multiplication animale”

      “(à l'exception des chevaux)”

      “Je soussigné, vétérinaire officiel certifie que les animaux désignés ci-dessus et examinés ce jour”

      “Ont été examinés au cours des 48 dernières heures, ont été trouvés en bon état de santé et n’ont présenté aucun signe clinique de maladies contagieuses propres à l’espèce”

      “Ont été correctement vaccinés contre la rage par un vaccin inactivé (ci-joint l’attestation de vaccination contre la rage)”

   2. PaperworkEntering Poland

      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 Poland

      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 Morocco (dogs).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: microchip or tattoo before the rabies vaccination, 6 months in a rabies-free country or area (ask ONSSA), rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) and rabies blood test, if your pet stays less than 12 months and more.

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

The trip back asks for 7 steps: microchip or tattoo before the rabies vaccination, 6 months in a rabies-free country or area (ask ONSSA), rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) and rabies blood test, if your pet stays less than 12 months and more.