Bringing a pet to Sweden

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Sweden has strict pet import rules that vary depending on the origin country's rabies risk category. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets from low-risk countries, but animals from high-risk areas face additional testing and waiting periods. Expect thorough documentation checks, including microchip, rabies vaccination, and EU health certificate requirements.

Requirements for your pet

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

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

Sweden does not have a national breed ban, but some municipalities may have local restrictions. Check with the destination municipality. Brachycephalic breeds may face airline restrictions; confirm with the carrier.

Documents checklist

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

Rough budget

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

Pets from EU-listed countries (e.g., Andorra, San Marino) need only an EU pet passport and valid rabies vaccination.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

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

Sweden does not have a national breed ban, but some municipalities may have local restrictions. Check with the destination municipality. Brachycephalic breeds may face airline restrictions; confirm with the carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Third-country health certificate (if not EU passport)
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

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

Pets from low-risk countries (e.g., US, UK, Japan) need a health certificate endorsed by the origin's official authority (e.g., USDA) and a valid rabies vaccine.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

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
Not required

Breed restrictions

Sweden does not have a national breed ban, but some municipalities may have local restrictions. Check with the destination municipality. Brachycephalic breeds may face airline restrictions; confirm with the carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Rabies antibody titer test (FAVN) result
  • Third-country health certificate
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from high-risk countries must have a successful FAVN test (≥0.5 IU/mL) and wait 90 days after the blood draw. No quarantine upon arrival.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

Frequently asked questions

Only if arriving from a high-risk country (e.g., Thailand, Russia). For free and low-risk origins, no titer test is required. If required, the blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, and you must wait 90 days from the blood draw date before entering Sweden.
No. Sweden does not impose quarantine for dogs from any origin, provided all requirements (microchip, rabies vaccine, titer test if applicable, health certificate) are met.
You may bring up to 5 dogs under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, commercial import regulations apply, which require additional documentation and fees.
No. Sweden does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard pet import requirements. They must still meet microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules. Service dogs may have additional documentation for access rights, but import rules remain the same.
The rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and you must wait 21 days after the vaccine before travel. So the earliest a puppy can enter is about 15 weeks old (12 weeks + 21 days). For high-risk origins, the titer test adds a 90-day wait, making the minimum age about 27 weeks.
No. An EU pet passport is only valid for pets from EU member states or listed territories. For dogs from low-risk or high-risk non-EU countries, you need a third-country health certificate endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA in the US).
The rabies vaccine must be valid at the time of entry. If it expires before you travel, your dog must be revaccinated and you must wait the required 21 days (and possibly redo the titer test if from a high-risk country) before entering Sweden.

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

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 or EU-authorised vet · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU Pet Passport or third-country health certificate (Annex IV model)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number and vaccination date
  • Microchip implantation certificate (if not in passport)

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 Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket).

From free-tier origins (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.), the cat must enter via an EU-approved traveller point. No additional waiting period beyond the 21-day rabies vaccine wait.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

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 (EU Annex IV model) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Rabies vaccination certificate with microchip number and vaccination date
  • Microchip implantation proof

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$150-250, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket).

Low-risk origins (e.g. US, UK, Japan, Australia) require a health certificate issued within 10 days of entry. No titer test or import permit needed. The cat must enter via an EU-approved traveller point.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

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 Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket)
  • Third-country health certificate (EU Annex IV model) endorsed by the competent authority
  • Rabies vaccination certificate with microchip number and vaccination date
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml)
  • Microchip implantation proof

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$150-250, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket).

From high-risk origins (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a FAVN titer test and an import permit are mandatory. The titer test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but the non-commercial movement limit is 5 cats per person. If you bring 6 or more, commercial rules apply, requiring an EU health certificate, a registered transporter, and possibly additional fees. Contact Jordbruksverket for details.
No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Cats from the US do not need a FAVN titer test. They only need a microchip, rabies vaccine (given at least 21 days before travel), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of entry.
No. Sweden does not grant any exemptions for emotional support or service animals from standard rabies vaccination, microchipping, health certificate, or titer test requirements. All cats must meet the same rules regardless of their role.
The cat must have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before entry. If the vaccine is overdue (i.e., the booster was given after the previous vaccine's expiry), the 21-day waiting period restarts from the date of the booster. The cat cannot enter until that period is completed.
Yes, if the cat has an EU Pet Passport issued by an EU veterinarian, it can travel freely within the EU. For non-EU origins, the cat must enter via an EU-approved traveller point (airport, seaport, or land border with a veterinary checkpoint). Sweden has no land border with non-EU countries except Norway, which is also in the EU pet travel scheme.
There is no minimum age for entry, but the kitten must be at least 12 weeks old to receive its rabies vaccination, and then wait 21 days after that vaccination before travel. So effectively, the kitten must be at least 15 weeks old on the day of entry.
No pre-notification is required for non-commercial entry. However, for high-risk origins, you must apply for an import permit from Jordbruksverket before travel. For all origins, the cat must be presented to customs at the point of entry for document checks.

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

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 (Annex IV of EU Regulation 576/2013)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip registration document

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 Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Ferrets from EU/EEA countries and listed rabies-free territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.) follow standard EU Pet Travel Scheme. No additional tests or permits.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

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 of EU Regulation 576/2013)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip registration document

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 Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Australia) require a third-country health certificate endorsed by the competent authority. No titer test or import permit needed.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

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

Documents checklist

  • Import permit from Swedish Board of Agriculture
  • Third-country official health certificate (Annex IV of EU Regulation 576/2013)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Microchip registration document

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 the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa/Asia) must have a negative FAVN titer test and an import permit. No quarantine upon arrival.

Jordbruksverket Sweden

Frequently asked questions

Only if the origin country is classified as rabies-free or low-risk by the EU. For high-risk countries, a FAVN titer test with a result ≥0.5 IU/ml is mandatory, with blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, you must comply with commercial import regulations, which require additional documentation and may involve a registered importer.
Yes. For ferrets arriving from high-risk rabies countries, you must apply for an import permit from the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) before travel. The permit application typically takes 2-4 weeks to process.
No. Sweden does not recognise emotional support animals under its pet import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and documentation requirements regardless of their role.
There is no minimum age specified for ferrets, but the rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and you must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So the earliest a ferret can enter is about 15 weeks old.
No. EU Pet Passports are only issued within the EU. From the USA, you need a third-country official health certificate (Annex IV of EU Regulation 576/2013) endorsed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then signed by a USDA APHIS official.
Yes, ferrets can enter through any EU border point (airport, seaport, or land border) as long as all documentation is in order. However, if arriving from a high-risk country, you must use a border inspection post (BIP) that handles live animals.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. If arriving from a high-risk country, a rabies antibody titre test is required at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before entry.

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