Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from the United States → 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
The United States is in the group “Group 2: countries with low risk of rabies — no titer test” 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
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
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.
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“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”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Route
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”
Vet exam
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
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.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
What your cat needs
Cats
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
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.
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“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”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Route
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”
Vet exam
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
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.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
Government fees we know of
- USDA APHIS health certificate endorsement101 USD
Vet, lab and courier costs are not included. The final amount can depend on how many tests or pets are on the certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from the United States 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.