Pet Transport from Canada to Germany

Pet transport from Canada to Germany is a moderately complex route. The documentation is specific and there are a few stages to work through, but families who plan ahead get their …

6-10 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

Get my free quote

Step by step

The import process, in full

Before any vaccinations. Must be done first.

Get your pet microchipped (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

At least 21 days before travel (after microchip)

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (RNATT blood test)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirements)

Obtain health certificate / veterinary clearance

Responsible: Official veterinarian

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space availability.

Book IATA-compliant flight and arrange pet cargo/cabin booking

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation

Responsible: You + airline cargo desk

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Standard EU 21-day wait from date of first vaccination before travel. No additional Germany-specific requirements beyond EU framework.

Rabies titre test

Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries (countries not on EU Annex II list). Not required for: Pets from EU member states, listed third countries (all P1 countries are listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait after blood draw

Quarantine

No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant

Import permit

No formal import permit. EU pet passport (intra-EU) or Animal Health Certificate (from third countries) serves as documentation.

Health certificate

Required

Export permit

No CFIA export permit required for personal pet exports. Some destination countries may require CFIA endorsement of health certificate.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Canada to Germany move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

United Airlines

Small pets allowed in cabin

Cabin Only

American Airlines

Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport

Cabin and Cargo

Air Canada

Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurized hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round

Cabin and Cargo

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo/cabin fees (varies by carrier, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees (vaccinations, health certificate, microchip)

Government endorsement/USDA endorsement fee (if applicable)

Pet transport agent fee (if using a relocation service)

Critical points

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face cargo restrictions on most airlines. Check breed-specific policies before booking.

Microchip MUST be implanted before rabies vaccination. Vaccination given before microchip is invalid and the clock restarts.

FAQ

Common questions

The process takes 6-10 weeks from start to finish. The rabies titre test requires a 3-6 month waiting period after the blood draw before your pet can travel, so start early.

No routine quarantine for pets entering Germany with the correct documentation. No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant

No formal import permit. EU pet passport (intra-EU) or Animal Health Certificate (from third countries) serves as documentation.

Required Your Canada vet must be approved to issue official veterinary certificates. The certificate must be issued within the timeframe required by Germany: usually 10 days before travel. Present the original at check-in.

Yes. Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries (countries not on EU Annex II list). Not required for: Pets from EU member states, listed third countries (all P1 countries are listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait after blood draw The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be valid. Start this process as early as possible.

Ready when you are

Move your pet

to Germany.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.

Get my free quote

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →