Bringing a cat from the UK to Germany: rules 2026

Prepared by the Animals Productions editorial team. See about us and our editorial standards.

Taking a cat from the UK to Germany is manageable since the UK joined the EU's approved country list in November 2022. No titer test is required, and cats don't need the tapeworm treatment — making this one of the simpler post-Brexit pet moves into the EU.

Destination requirements

1. ISO 11784/11785 microchip — before the rabies vaccination.
2. Rabies vaccination — pet ≥12 weeks old; the vaccination date must not be earlier than the microchip date; then wait ≥21 days after the primary vaccination.
3. Rabies titer test — required ONLY from an “unlisted” country (not needed from the EU or listed countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan). Blood ≥30 days after vaccination and ≥90 days (3 months) before the certificate; ≥0.5 IU/ml; EU-approved laboratory.
4. Certificate — from a non-EU country: an EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex III, Reg. (EU) 2026/705) endorsed by the exporting country’s authority (in the USA, USDA APHIS), valid 10 days to entry. From the EU / on return: the EU pet passport.
5. Tapeworm treatment — not required for mainland Germany.
6. Breed import ban — federal law (HundVerbrEinfG §2) bans the import and transit of: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier, Bull Terrier and their crosses. Individual federal states may add keeping rules (verify by state).
7. Quarantine — none if everything is met. Puppies under 15 weeks are not admitted; from an unlisted country the process effectively takes ~7 months due to the timelines.

EU 2026: new Regulation (EU) 2026/131 applies from 22 Apr 2026; old-format Animal Health Certificates are valid only if issued before 1 Oct 2026.

Official sources

• BMLEH — Pets entry regulation ↗
• European Commission — Bringing a pet from a non-EU country ↗
• HundVerbrEinfG §2 (breed import ban) ↗
• USDA APHIS — US to Germany ↗

FAQ

Do I need a titer test to bring a cat from the UK to Germany?

No. The UK is EU-listed, so no titer test is required for cats (or dogs) entering the EU.

Do cats need a tapeworm treatment to enter Germany from the UK?

No. Tapeworm treatment is only required for dogs entering certain EU countries (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway) — not Germany, and not for cats.

What is the EU AHC and who issues it?

The EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex II format) is issued by a UK Official Veterinarian (OV) registered with APHA. It is valid for 10 days to entry into the EU.

Is there quarantine for cats in Germany?

No quarantine for cats with complete, compliant documentation.

Related

We provide information only and do not offer relocation services. Rules change — always confirm with the official source above.