Pet Transport USA to Sweden: The 2026 Stockholm Route

The health certificate process for Sweden is the same as any EU listed-country destination. A USDA-accredited veterinarian examines your pet and completes the EU Annex IV certificate. USDA APHIS then endorses it, at a cost of USD 38, typically within two to five business days. The endorsed certificate is valid for 10 days from the examination date to the pet’s arrival in Sweden.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines is the natural choice from JFK, ORD, and LAX, with established cargo procedures at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). Delta has seasonal direct services from Atlanta. Lufthansa via Frankfurt is reliable for other US gateways. All operate pets as manifested cargo, with no cabin option on transatlantic routes.

Stockholm Arlanda has a Veterinary Border Inspection Post (BIP) for EU border checks. For dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation, the check at ARN is typically straightforward and completed quickly.

Sweden is consistently rated among the most pet-friendly countries in Europe. Dogs are welcome in most shops, many restaurants, and virtually all outdoor public spaces. Public transport in Sweden has relaxed rules for well-behaved dogs. Off-lead walking is permitted in many forests and parks outside urban areas.

Swedish culture places a high value on animal welfare. The Animal Welfare Act (Djurskyddslagen) sets detailed standards for how dogs must be kept, including minimum exercise requirements and rules on leaving dogs alone. The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) enforces these rules. For anyone moving with a dog, understanding Swedish welfare standards is worth doing before arrival.

There is no federal breed ban in Sweden, but dogs must be kept under control in public. The Swedish rules focus on individual dog behaviour rather than breed type, which is a different approach from countries like Denmark or Germany that have specific breed lists.