Bringing a pet to Uruguay

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Uruguay allows pet dogs from most countries without quarantine if entry requirements are met. Rules differ by origin: dogs from high-risk rabies countries need a rabies titer test and an MGAP import permit, while dogs from low-risk or rabies-free origins generally need only a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a health certificate. Start paperwork 2–3 months ahead if your dog is coming from a high-risk country, and confirm current requirements with MGAP before travel.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Uruguay does not impose country-level breed bans for dogs entering as pets. However, some airlines may refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers due to respiratory risks. Check with your airline.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO-compliant microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MGAP.

No quarantine for dogs from free origins. Ensure rabies vaccine is current and administered at least 21 days before travel.

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 veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Uruguay does not impose country-level breed bans for dogs entering as pets. However, some airlines may refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers due to respiratory risks. Check with your airline.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO-compliant microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MGAP.

No quarantine for dogs from low-risk origins. Same requirements as free tier; no additional titer test or permit needed.

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 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Breed restrictions

Uruguay does not impose country-level breed bans for dogs entering as pets. However, some airlines may refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers due to respiratory risks. Check with your airline.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, dated at least 90 days before travel
  • Import permit issued by MGAP prior to travel
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO-compliant microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$50–150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MGAP.

No quarantine if all requirements are met. The titer test must be done at least 90 days before travel; plan ahead. Import permit must be obtained before arrival.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Uruguay generally allows up to 5 pets per traveller under non-commercial rules. If you exceed this number, the shipment may be treated as commercial, requiring additional import permits and veterinary inspections. Confirm with MGAP before travelling with more than 5.
It depends on the origin country. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa) must have a FAVN rabies titer test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml, performed at least 90 days before travel. Dogs from low-risk or free countries do not need a titer test.
No, Uruguay does not quarantine dogs that meet all entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk origins, a titer test and import permit). If documents are incomplete, the animal may be detained or refused entry.
The official veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival in Uruguay. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian or an accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority.
No. Uruguay does not exempt service dogs or emotional support animals from standard import requirements. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit rules as pet dogs.
Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination, and then wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (about 3.5 months).
Yes, but major entry points like Montevideo Carrasco International Airport (MVD) have veterinary inspection services. If arriving at a smaller port, ensure inspection is available or arrange in advance with MGAP.

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

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-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not more than 1 year old
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit required for free-tier origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Uruguayan authorities.

Uruguay does not require an import permit for cats from free-tier countries. The health certificate must be endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country. Cats must be accompanied by the owner or a designated representative.

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 veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not more than 1 year old
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit required for low-risk origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Uruguayan authorities.

Same requirements as free-tier. Uruguay applies a uniform set of rules for cats from low-risk countries. No quarantine on arrival if documents are in order.

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not more than 1 year old
  • FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
  • Import permit issued by Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Uruguayan authorities.

Cats from high-risk countries must have a valid rabies titer test and an import permit. The titer test must be done at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are correct, but the animal may be held for inspection. The import permit must be obtained before travel.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Uruguay allows up to 5 pets (cats or dogs) per traveller under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, the shipment is considered commercial and requires additional import permits and veterinary inspections, which can take weeks and cost significantly more.
No. Uruguay does not exempt emotional support or service cats from any import requirements. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit rules as any other cat. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but the destination country's veterinary rules apply regardless.
Cats from CDC high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa) must have a FAVN rabies titer test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at an approved laboratory at least 90 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. This means you need to start the process at least 4-5 months before your trip.
Only for cats from high-risk countries. For free and low-risk origins, no import permit is required. For high-risk origins, you must obtain a permit from Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) before travel. The permit application typically takes 2-4 weeks and costs around $50-150.
The international health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Uruguay. It must be endorsed by the official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US). A certificate older than 10 days will be rejected.
Yes. Uruguay requires an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must appear on all documents. If your cat already has a non-ISO microchip, you may need to carry a reader or have a new ISO chip implanted.
No. Uruguay does not impose quarantine on cats arriving with correct documentation. However, if documents are missing or invalid, the animal may be detained at the port of entry until the issue is resolved, which can take days and incur fees.

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

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 of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or the equivalent competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated vaccine, valid for 1 year; administered at least 21 days before travel)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority
  • Microchip implantation certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Import declaration form (Declaración Jurada) for live animals, to be presented to MGAP upon arrival

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import declaration processing may be free or a small fee (~$20-50), rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MGAP (Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca) before travel.

Ferrets are classified as 'other carnivores' under Uruguayan import rules, not as dogs or cats. No quarantine is imposed for ferrets from free countries. The animal must be accompanied by the owner or a designated representative. Airlines may have additional requirements (e.g. IATA crate standards).

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 of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or the equivalent competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated vaccine, valid for 1 year; administered at least 21 days before travel)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority
  • Microchip implantation certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Import declaration form (Declaración Jurada) for live animals, to be presented to MGAP upon arrival

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import declaration processing may be free or a small fee (~$20-50), rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MGAP before travel.

Same requirements as the free tier. Uruguay does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from low-risk countries. No quarantine. Ensure the health certificate explicitly states the ferret is free from infectious diseases and fit for 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)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or the equivalent competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated vaccine, valid for 1 year; administered at least 21 days before travel)
  • FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, with test date at least 90 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel
  • Import permit issued by MGAP prior to travel
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by the origin country's national veterinary authority
  • Microchip implantation certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Import declaration form (Declaración Jurada) for live animals, to be presented to MGAP upon arrival

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-150, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and MGAP before travel.

Ferrets from high-risk countries must have a rabies titer test and an import permit. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. Start the import permit application at least 3-4 months before travel to allow for titer test processing. MGAP may require additional health checks upon arrival.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but ferrets are classified as 'other carnivores' by MGAP, not as dogs or cats. You need a rabies vaccination certificate, an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and an import declaration. From high-risk rabies countries, a FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) and an import permit are also required. There is no quarantine for ferrets that meet all conditions.
Uruguay does not publish a specific numeric limit for ferrets, but non-commercial import rules generally apply to a small number of pets (typically up to 5 animals) accompanying the owner. If you are bringing more than 5 ferrets, or if they are not for personal companionship, the shipment may be treated as commercial and require additional permits, inspections, and possibly a different import procedure. Confirm with MGAP before travelling with more than a few animals.
No. Uruguay does not exempt emotional support animals or service animals from veterinary import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit rules. Airlines may also have their own policies for ferrets in the cabin, but that does not override MGAP's import conditions.
Your ferret must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine at least 21 days before arrival. The vaccine must be valid for at least 1 year. The ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. A certificate from a licensed veterinarian showing the vaccine name, batch number, date of administration, and validity is required.
It depends on the rabies risk of the origin country. If your ferret is travelling from a high-risk country (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a FAVN test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml is required. The test must be done at least 90 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. A booster vaccination does not restart the 90-day wait. For low-risk or free countries, no titer test is required.
No. Uruguay does not impose quarantine on ferrets that meet all import requirements (rabies vaccination, health certificate, and, if applicable, titer test and import permit). However, if documents are incomplete or the animal shows signs of illness upon arrival, MGAP may order isolation or return the animal at the owner's expense.
You must apply to MGAP (Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca) for an import permit before travelling. The application typically requires the ferret's identification details, rabies vaccination record, and FAVN titer test result. Processing can take several weeks, so start at least 3-4 months in advance. The permit is usually valid for a specific period (e.g. 60-90 days) and must accompany the animal. Contact MGAP's Dirección General de Servicios Ganaderos for current forms and fees.

Good to know

Uruguay accepts pets via Montevideo Carrasco International Airport (MVD) and other major ports of entry. All dogs must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. The destination authority is MGAP (Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca).

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