Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from St. Martin → Switzerland
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
3 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
No fixed wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
St. Martin is in the group “Group 1: EU member states and other European states and territories using approved pet passports (free of urban rabies)” in Bringing a dog, cat or ferret into Switzerland’s published list.See every group
Headlines for Switzerland
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Import permit for some pets
- Designated entry point for some trips
- Some origins not allowed
What your dog needs
Dogs
We haven’t verified the leaving side for St. Martin yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Identification
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”
Vaccination
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”
Paperwork
Pet passport
From the EU and the other European countries on the FSVO list, your pet needs a recognised pet passport showing its microchip and valid rabies vaccination.
Details and the official words
“To travel to Switzerland from the EU, dogs, cats and ferrets must generally meet three requirements: they need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a recognised pet passport.”
Good to know
- We have not verified the export process for MF yet. Your country's official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
- 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.
What your cat needs
Cats
We haven’t verified the leaving side for St. Martin yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Identification
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”
Vaccination
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”
Paperwork
Pet passport
From the EU and the other European countries on the FSVO list, your pet needs a recognised pet passport showing its microchip and valid rabies vaccination.
Details and the official words
“To travel to Switzerland from the EU, dogs, cats and ferrets must generally meet three requirements: they need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a recognised pet passport.”
Good to know
- We have not verified the export process for MF yet. Your country's official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from St. Martin to Switzerland?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Switzerland?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Switzerland?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet must be microchipped before (or at the same time as) its rabies vaccination.