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© 2016 Dwellworks
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Vienna City Guide
Third countries with special conditions are: Andorra, Croatia, Switzerland, Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and Vatican City State. Animals travelling from
these countries may enter the EU accompanied by the certificate or the pet passport (see
below, 13.2.).
Entry of dogs and cats younger than 12 weeks: All animals younger than 12 weeks imported
into Austria for non-commercial purposes are subject to border veterinarian control.
Furthermore, an import permit by the Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth is
required. Such permit may only be issued if the animal originates in a third country
specifically listed above (Ascension Island to Mayotte; plus, Iceland) or a third country with
special conditions.
Pet Passport for Travelling within the EU
From October 1, 2004 an EU-standardised pet passport was introduced, instead of specific
certificates for each EU member state. Valid rabies vaccination is required for travelling
within the EU and will be entered into the pet passport by the veterinarian.
The pet passport applies to pet dogs, cats and ferrets and has to be carried outside of one’s
home country. For other pets, there is not yet an EU-standard, and therefore national
legislation applies.
As of July 2011 the pet has to be marked with a microchip (before this date a tattoo was
sufficient) in order to guarantee a clear allocation of the pet passport to the pet. The travel
documents for pets will be issued by the veterinarian.
In general, the pet passport is only used for pets travelling between Member States of the
EU. However, it can also be used for travelling to or from one of the neighbouring countries
where the rabies status matches the one of the EU. These countries are: Andorra, Croatia,
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City
State.
Registration of Pets
Dogs need to be marked with a microchip and need to be registered in the national dog
database. The microchip will have to be placed by the veterinarian at the latest until the dog
is three months old. The database registration can be done at the local authority or via the
veterinarian. Substantial fines will apply for dogs that are not registered.
In Vienna, dogs have to be registered at the city council (“Magistrat”) within 14 days after
moving to Vienna and for every dog older than three months dog tax (“Hundeabgabe”) will
have to be paid. The tax amounts to € 72 per year.
It is recommended to conclude a dog or cat liability insurance in case one’s dog or cat
causes an accident or injures someone.