Bringing a pet to Latvia

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Latvia enforces the EU Pet Travel Scheme, so dogs, cats, and ferrets entering from EU countries need only a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. Pets from non-EU high-rabies countries face stricter rules, including a rabies antibody titre test and a 21-day waiting period. There is no general quarantine culture in Latvia, but individual cases may require isolation if paperwork is incomplete.

Requirements for your pet

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

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
  • Health certificate (Annex IV or equivalent EU model)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Verify with local vet and destination agency.

For EU-equivalent origins (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican), an EU pet passport replaces the health certificate.

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
  • Health certificate (Annex IV or equivalent EU model)
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

ROUGH estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Verify with local vet and destination agency.

For low-risk origins (e.g., US, UK, Japan, Australia), the health certificate must be endorsed by the relevant authority (USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA in the UK).

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 7 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate (Annex IV or equivalent EU model)
  • Microchip documentation
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate
  • Import permit from the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia

Rough budget

ROUGH estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Verify with local vet and destination agency.

For high-risk origins (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa/South Asia/Middle East), obtain import permit from the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia before travel. Titer test must be at an EU-approved laboratory. No quarantine if all documents are in order.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

A dog must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination. For high-risk origins, the dog must be at least 7 months old due to the 3-month wait after titer test. For free and low-risk origins, no minimum age beyond 12 weeks.
No. The US is low-risk; no titer test required. Only high-risk origins (e.g., Thailand, Russia) require a FAVN test.
Up to 5 dogs per person without triggering commercial rules. More than 5 requires commercial regulations, including additional health checks and possible quarantine.
No. All dogs need microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate. Service dogs may have additional working-status documentation, but core rules apply.
The vaccination must be valid at travel. If expired, get a booster and wait 21 days before entry. Microchip must be implanted before booster.
No. EU pet passport is valid only from another EU country or EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican). For other origins, use an EU health certificate (Annex IV) endorsed by the relevant authority.
No, if all requirements are met: microchip, rabies vaccination, titer test with 3-month wait, import permit, and health certificate. Incomplete documents may lead to quarantine at owner's expense.

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

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

  • EU pet passport (or third-country health certificate if not EU-issued)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
  • Microchip implantation certificate or proof in passport

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, EU pet passport ~$30-60 if issued in EU. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).

Cats from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, Monaco, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Greenland) enter under the same rules as EU-origin pets. No additional blood tests or permits needed.

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 veterinarian (e.g. USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK, MAFF for Japan) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV of EU Regulation 577/2013) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Rabies vaccination certificate with microchip number and dates
  • Microchip proof (implantation certificate or passport entry)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, government endorsement fee ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. No quarantine.

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 veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Import permit from the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD)
  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV) endorsed by origin authority
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN titer test certificate from an EU-approved lab
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100, government endorsement ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).

Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India, China, most of Africa and Middle East) require a rabies titer test and an import permit. The titer test must be done at an EU-approved lab (list available on EU Commission website). No quarantine upon arrival if all paperwork is in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but non-commercial movement is limited to 5 pets (cats, dogs, ferrets combined) per person. If you bring 6 or more, commercial rules apply — you will need a transporter authorisation and additional paperwork. For 1-5 cats, standard EU pet travel rules apply.
No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Cats from the US do not need a FAVN titer test. Only cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India) require the titer test.
No. Latvia does not recognise emotional support animals under pet import rules. Your cat must follow the same requirements as any other pet cat: microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, and titer test if from a high-risk country. No exemptions apply.
The rabies vaccine must be given at least 21 days before arrival in Latvia. The cat must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. The vaccine must be a primary or booster shot, and the microchip must be implanted before or at the time of vaccination.
The health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian. If it expires before you enter Latvia, you will be denied entry. Plan your travel so the certificate is issued no more than 10 days before your arrival date.
No quarantine is required upon arrival if your cat has a valid microchip, rabies vaccine, FAVN titer test (with ≥0.5 IU/ml), import permit, and health certificate. All documents must be in order before travel. If paperwork is missing, the cat may be quarantined at your expense or returned.
No. Latvia requires an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (15 digits). If your cat has a different chip, you must bring your own compatible scanner. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

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

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-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU Pet Passport or third-country health certificate (Annex IV model for EU entry)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, EU pet passport ~$50-100 if issued in EU. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).

Ferrets from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow same rules as EU intra-travel.

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model for EU entry)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).

Ferrets from low-risk countries (US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, etc.) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. Health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country.

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model for EU entry)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate
  • Import permit from Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary by country. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g., Russia, Thailand, India, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a rabies titer test and an import permit from PVD. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

No. Non-commercial movement is limited to 5 pets per person. If you bring more than 5 ferrets, commercial import rules apply, requiring additional paperwork, possible quarantine, and fees. Contact the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) for details.
No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Ferrets from the US do not need a rabies titer test. They only need a microchip, rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.
No. Latvia does not recognise emotional support animals under pet travel rules. All ferrets, regardless of role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test requirements. No exemptions are granted.
At least 21 days before arrival in Latvia. The ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. If it's a primary vaccination, the 21-day wait starts from the date of vaccination. Booster vaccinations are valid immediately if given within the validity period of the previous vaccine.
You must bring your own ISO-compatible microchip reader. Latvian authorities and airlines may not have readers for non-ISO chips. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If the chip is not ISO, the vaccination may be considered invalid.
No. Since Brexit, UK-issued EU Pet Passports are not valid for entry into the EU. You must use a third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by DEFRA. The certificate is valid for 10 days from issue to entry into Latvia.
Yes, but in the form of an EU Pet Passport. The passport must show the ferret's microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and a valid health attestation by a vet. No separate health certificate is needed for intra-EU travel.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. If the microchip is not ISO-compliant, you must bring your own scanner.

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 Latvia, 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 Latvia's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.