Bringing a pet to Norway

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Norway maintains strict but manageable import rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Requirements depend on where your pet is travelling from, with stricter rules for pets from higher-risk countries. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets, but expect mandatory rabies vaccination, microchipping, and health documentation.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Norway bans the import of dogs with cropped ears or tails. No specific breed bans, but aggressive breeds may face additional scrutiny.

Documents checklist

EU pet passport or third-country health certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate
Microchip documentation

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Mattilsynet.

Pets from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) need only an EU pet passport with valid rabies vaccination.

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

Not required

Breed restrictions

Norway bans the import of dogs with cropped ears or tails. No specific breed bans, but aggressive breeds may face additional scrutiny.

Documents checklist

Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model)
Rabies vaccination certificate
Microchip documentation

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Mattilsynet.

Pets from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan) must enter via an approved Border Inspection Post if arriving by air.

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

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Breed restrictions

Norway bans the import of dogs with cropped ears or tails. No specific breed bans, but aggressive breeds may face additional scrutiny.

Documents checklist

Import permit from Mattilsynet
Third-country health certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate
FAVN titer test result
Microchip documentation

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Mattilsynet.

Import permit must be applied for at least 30 days before travel. Pets must enter via an approved Border Inspection Post.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if arriving from a high-risk country, your dog must have a FAVN titer test showing ≥0.5 IU/mL. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sent to an EU-approved lab.

You may bring up to 5 dogs per person under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, commercial import regulations apply, including additional health checks and fees.

No. Emotional support and service dogs must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements as any other dog. No special exemptions exist.

The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Norway. For non-EU countries, it must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US).

No. Dogs from non-EU countries must enter through an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP). Major airports like Oslo Gardermoen have BIP facilities. Check with Mattilsynet for a list of approved points.

No. Norway does not require quarantine for dogs that meet all entry requirements, regardless of origin. However, if your dog fails a border check, it may be quarantined at your expense.

The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel. If it expires, your dog must be revaccinated and wait 21 days before entering Norway. Always check the booster schedule with your vet.

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

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 official health certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number and vaccine details
Microchip implantation certificate (if not in passport)

Rough budget

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

Cats from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.) enter under the same rules as EU pets.

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

Third-country official health certificate (Annex IV model for non-EU countries)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number and vaccine details
Microchip implantation certificate (if not in health certificate)

Rough budget

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

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Australia) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country (USDA APHIS in the US).

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 · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Import permit from Mattilsynet
Third-country official health certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate
Rabies antibody titration (FAVN) test result from EU-approved lab
Microchip implantation certificate

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary by country. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Cats from high-risk countries must meet the 3-month waiting period after the titer test before entry. No quarantine upon arrival if all documentation is in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can bring up to 5 cats (or dogs) as a non-commercial movement. If you bring more than 5, commercial rules apply, requiring additional documentation and possibly a customs declaration. The 5-pet limit applies per person.

No. The United States is classified as a low-risk rabies country for cats entering Norway. A rabies titer test (FAVN) is not required. You still need a valid rabies vaccination and a USDA-endorsed health certificate.

There is no minimum age for the cat itself, but the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and you must wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel. So the earliest a kitten can enter is about 15 weeks old.

No. Norway does not grant any exemptions for emotional support or service animals from standard rabies vaccination, microchip, health certificate, or import permit requirements. All cats must meet the same entry rules regardless of their role.

No. Since the UK left the EU, UK-issued EU Pet Passports are no longer valid for entry into Norway. You must use a third-country official health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by DEFRA instead.

The health certificate must be issued and endorsed by the competent authority within 10 days of arrival in Norway. For non-EU countries, the certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of endorsement.

If the titre is below 0.5 IU/ml, the test is considered a fail. You must revaccinate your cat and wait at least 30 days before taking a new blood sample. The 3-month waiting period restarts from the date of the successful test.

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

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

ISO microchip certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, non-expired)
EU pet passport or third-country health certificate (Annex IV model)

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 Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet).

Ferrets from EU/EEA countries (including Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) can travel with an EU pet passport. No titer test or import permit needed.

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

ISO microchip certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, non-expired)
Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country

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 Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet).

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g. US, UK, Japan, Australia) must enter via an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) if arriving by air. No titer test or import permit 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 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

ISO microchip certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, non-expired)
Rabies antibody titration test (FAVN) certificate
Import permit from Mattilsynet
Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet).

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India) require a pre-import permit from Mattilsynet and a FAVN test. The 3-month waiting period after the FAVN test applies. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but non-commercial movement is limited to 5 animals per person. If you bring more than 5 ferrets, commercial import rules apply, requiring an EU health certificate, registration as a commercial importer, and possible additional fees. Contact Mattilsynet in advance.

No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. A valid rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel) and a third-country health certificate are sufficient. No FAVN test or import permit is needed.

There is no minimum age specified by Norwegian law, but the ferret must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination (if required). For high-risk countries, the 3-month waiting period after the FAVN test effectively means the ferret must be at least 4-5 months old.

No. Norway does not recognise emotional support animals as a separate category for import. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements. Service animals (guide dogs) have different rules, but ferrets are not service animals.

That depends on the airline's policy, not Norwegian import rules. Most airlines allow small ferrets in the cabin if they are in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. Check with your airline directly. Norwegian import rules do not restrict cabin vs. cargo travel.

The health certificate (Annex IV model) is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian. It must be issued no more than 10 days before arrival in Norway. For EU pet passports, the rabies vaccination validity is longer, but the health certificate itself must be recent.

If you are staying in Norway temporarily, the vaccination must remain valid for the duration of your stay. If it expires, you may need to get a booster from a Norwegian vet before leaving. For permanent relocation, keep the vaccination up to date to avoid issues with future travel or re-entry.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. Norway accepts EU-style pet passports from EU/EEA countries; for all other origins, an official third-country veterinary certificate is required.

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 Norway, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).