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Can you bring a dog or cat to Norway from outside the EU?

Entry points, documents and the rabies blood test.

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Short answer

Yes, dogs and cats can come from outside the EU and EEA, but arriving directly they must enter through Oslo Airport Gardermoen or Storskog near Kirkenes. The pet needs a microchip, rabies vaccination and an official health certificate, and dogs need tapeworm treatment. A rabies blood test is required unless the country is on the EU exemption list.

Travelling to Norway with a pet a dog with a leash sitting next to a small moose silhouette and a vet cross

Why

  1. Tolletaten's rule is that pets arriving directly from a country outside the EU and EEA can only enter through Oslo Airport Gardermoen or Storskog, and they go through the red lane.
  2. Dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries need a rabies vaccination followed by a rabies antibody test, with an exemption for certain listed countries.
  3. The health certificate is issued by an official vet in the country of departure no more than 10 days before arrival in the EEA.

Details

Under the EU rules, the blood sample for the rabies test is taken at least 30 days after the vaccination and at least 90 days before the health certificate is issued, so the process takes several months. Dogs must also be treated against the fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) by a vet 24–120 hours before arriving in Norway. One private trip can include at most five dogs, cats and ferrets.

Tip

Plan the vet visits backwards from your arrival date: the health certificate may be at most 10 days old, and the tapeworm treatment must fall 24–120 hours before you land.

What may differ

If the pet has already entered the EU or EEA through an approved border control post in another country, you can cross into Norway at other border crossings. Svalbard has its own rules: dogs need a permit from Mattilsynet, and cats are not given permits.

People also ask

  • What do I need to bring a dog to Norway from outside the EU?
  • Does my pet need a rabies blood test to enter Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Mattilsynet and Tolletaten before you travel.

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