Bringing a pet to Iceland

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Iceland has one of the strictest pet import regimes in Europe, requiring microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody titration, and a pre-export health certificate for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. There is no quarantine for compliant pets from low-risk countries, but animals from high-risk rabies areas face additional waiting periods and possible isolation. Expect a lengthy, paperwork-heavy process that must start months before travel.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Iceland.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate
  • Health certificate (EU model or equivalent)
  • Import permit from MAST

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$50-100, MAST processing fee ~$100-200 — confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

From rabies-free origins (e.g., Andorra, San Marino), no titer test or quarantine required, but an import permit is still mandatory.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate
  • Health certificate (EU model or equivalent)
  • Import permit from MAST

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$50-100, MAST processing fee ~$100-200 — confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

From low-risk origins (e.g., US, UK, EU), no titer test or quarantine, but an import permit is still required. The health certificate must be endorsed by the relevant authority (e.g., USDA in the US).

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at an approved facility in Iceland, at the owner's expense (approx. $30-50 per day).
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate
  • Health certificate (EU model or equivalent)
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Import permit from MAST

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100, MAST processing fee ~$100-200, quarantine ~$900-1500 for 30 days — confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

From high-risk origins (e.g., Thailand, Russia), a FAVN titer test and 30-day quarantine are mandatory. The import permit application must include the titer test result.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

MAST typically processes import permit applications within 2-4 weeks. Apply at least 4-6 weeks before travel to allow for processing and any corrections.
Yes, non-commercial travellers may bring up to 5 dogs per trip without triggering commercial import rules. Each dog requires its own import permit and health certificate.
No, the US is classified as low-risk, so no FAVN titer test is needed. Only high-risk origins require the test.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt. They must meet all standard import requirements, including microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit.
The rabies vaccination must be valid on the day of travel. If it expires, you must get a booster and wait 21 days before the health certificate is issued. Plan accordingly.
Yes, most airlines allow dogs as checked baggage or cargo, but you must confirm with the airline. Icelandair and PLAY have specific policies. The dog must arrive at Keflavik Airport (KEF) and be cleared by MAST.
Yes, puppies must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccination, and then wait 21 days, so the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days).

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Iceland.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or EU-authorised veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, non-expired)
  • EU pet passport or third-country official health certificate
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST).

Cats from EU/EEA free-rabies territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow standard EU Pet Travel Scheme rules. No quarantine. Must enter via Keflavik Airport and be checked by MAST upon arrival.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, non-expired)
  • Third-country official health certificate (e.g. USDA APHIS 7001 for US, DEFRA export health certificate for UK)
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

Cats from low-risk countries (US, UK, Japan, Australia, most of Europe) do not require a rabies titer test or import permit. No quarantine. Must enter via Keflavik Airport and be checked by MAST upon arrival.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian endorsed by the destination country's embassy or MAST · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, non-expired)
  • FAVN titer test certificate (≥0.5 IU/ml, from EU-approved lab)
  • Third-country official health certificate (endorsed by destination embassy if required)
  • Import permit from MAST
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

Cats from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a FAVN titer test and an import permit. Despite the titer test, no quarantine is imposed upon arrival if all documents are in order. Must enter via Keflavik Airport and be checked by MAST.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Cats may travel as checked baggage on most airlines if the carrier fits under the seat or in the hold, but Iceland requires all pets to be checked by MAST at Keflavik Airport upon arrival. Contact your airline for specific carrier size and weight limits (typically up to 8 kg for cabin, up to 50 kg for hold).
Iceland follows EU rules: a non-commercial traveller may bring up to 5 cats (or dogs) per person. If you bring more than 5, commercial import regulations apply, including additional fees and paperwork.
No. Iceland does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit rules. No special documentation or waivers are available.
Yes. Even with a valid FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml), cats from high-risk countries must obtain an import permit from MAST. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel. The permit is separate from the health certificate.
Iceland requires an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. If your cat has a non-ISO chip (e.g. AVID), you must bring your own compatible scanner. MAST may refuse entry if the chip cannot be read. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
All cats entering Iceland must arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Pets arriving at other ports or airports may be refused entry or subject to quarantine. MAST inspects all incoming pets at KEF.
No minimum age is specified by Icelandic law, but the cat must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination, and the 21-day waiting period after vaccination applies. Therefore, a cat cannot travel before approximately 15 weeks of age (12 weeks + 21 days).

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Iceland.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid on travel date)
  • Health certificate (EU model Annex IV or equivalent, issued within 10 days of arrival)
  • Microchip proof (registration document showing ISO 11784/11785 chip)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

Ferret must be identified by ISO microchip before rabies vaccination. No quarantine for pets from rabies-free EU-equivalent territories.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid on travel date)
  • Health certificate (EU model Annex IV or equivalent, issued within 10 days of arrival)
  • Microchip proof (registration document showing ISO 11784/11785 chip)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

Iceland applies EU pet travel rules for ferrets from low-risk countries. No titer test or quarantine required.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid on travel date)
  • Health certificate (EU model Annex IV or equivalent, issued within 10 days of arrival)
  • Microchip proof (registration document showing ISO 11784/11785 chip)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml from EU-approved lab)
  • Import permit from MAST (apply at least 30 days before travel)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MAST.

Import permit required from MAST. Titer test must be done at an EU-approved lab. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The US is classified as a low-risk rabies country for ferrets. A titer test is not required. Only ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia) need a FAVN test.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, commercial import regulations apply, which require additional documentation and fees.
No. Iceland does not provide any exemption for emotional support or service animals from standard pet import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit requirements.
That depends on the airline. Most airlines allow ferrets in the cabin only if they are small enough to fit in an under-seat carrier (typically up to 8 kg including carrier). Check with your airline for specific size and weight limits. Icelandair allows small pets in cabin on some routes.
No. Ferrets arriving from EU countries or other low-risk countries do not need an import permit. Only ferrets from high-risk rabies countries require a permit from MAST.
The rabies vaccination must be valid on the day of travel. If it expires before departure, your ferret must be revaccinated and wait 21 days before entering Iceland. There is no grace period for expired vaccines.
Yes. The health certificate must be completed in English or Icelandic. If issued in another language, an official translation must be attached. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.

Good to know

All pets must enter through Keflavik Airport and be examined by a customs veterinarian upon arrival; advance notification to the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) is mandatory.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Iceland, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Iceland's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.