Pet Transport from Denmark to Switzerland

Switzerland accepts EU-standard pet documentation. For a pet travelling from Denmark, that means either an EU pet passport (if your vet has issued one) or a DVFA-endorsed veterinary health certificate.

The document must show: your pet’s ISO 11784/11785 microchip number, a valid rabies vaccination (administered no less than 21 days before travel for a primary vaccination), and your details as the owner.

Switzerland’s Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) governs pet imports. On arrival, your documentation may be checked at the border or at the airport. The process is generally quick for compliant pets from EU and EU-aligned countries.

There is no titre test, no quarantine, and no import permit for dogs and cats entering Switzerland from Denmark.

Switzerland’s federal breed law is less extensive than Denmark’s. At the federal level, only Pit Bull Terriers are subject to an import ban.

The complication is at the cantonal level. Several Swiss cantons maintain their own restricted breed lists that go beyond the federal law:

Bern, Geneva, and Vaud restrict additional breeds including American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, and others. Regulations vary by canton and are updated periodically.

Before you finalise your move, check your destination canton’s current breed regulations. The Swiss Canine Society (SKG) and cantonal veterinary offices can confirm current rules. This is not something to leave until the last minute, particularly for larger or muscular breeds.

For pets, both SWISS and SAS are solid options on the Copenhagen-Zurich route.

SWISS is Zurich’s home carrier and has a well-established pet booking process. Staff at ZRH are familiar with incoming pet documentation. For small pets, cabin travel is available under the seat in front of you. For larger dogs, SWISS operates cargo connections through its Lufthansa Group network.

SAS is Denmark’s partner airline and knows the Copenhagen departure process well. Pet policies on SAS are broadly similar to SWISS for this route.

Book your pet’s space at the same time as your own ticket. Cabin pet slots are limited on any given flight and cannot be added as an afterthought. If your pet is too large for the cabin, make sure the cargo option is confirmed before you commit to a travel date.