Taking Your Dog to Austria
Use this 2026 guide to plan microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, airline booking, and your dog’s return to the United States.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Austria
ISO Microchip
Dogs entering Austria from the United States must be individually identified with a microchip before the rabies vaccination used for travel. Austria states that since July 3, 2011 animals may only be marked by microchip; a clearly legible tattoo applied before July 3, 2011 can still be accepted.
Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for entry.Rabies Vaccination
A valid rabies vaccination is required. Austria states the dog must be at least 12 weeks old for the primary rabies vaccination, and the first rabies vaccine becomes valid 21 days after completion of the primary vaccination. Booster vaccinations remain valid if given on time; if a booster is late, it is treated as a primary vaccination and the 21-day wait applies again.
Primary vaccine must be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before travel.Rabies Titer Test
For dogs traveling directly from the United States, Austria does not require a rabies antibody titer test because the U.S. is on the EU list of countries/territories for which serological testing is not required. A titer test is required only if the dog has been in or is entering from a non-listed third country, unless a qualifying transit exception applies.
Not required for direct travel from the United States; if required from a non-listed country, blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before movement.Health Certificate
Each dog must travel with the EU animal health certificate for non-commercial movement, issued in English or German by an official veterinarian, or issued by an authorized veterinarian and endorsed by the competent authority. Austria states the certificate must be accompanied by the owner declaration under Article 25(3). APHIS notes Austria is one of the EU countries requiring a bilingual version of the EU health certificate, and the pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of APHIS endorsement.
Certificate must be endorsed before travel and be no more than 10 days old at EU entry.USDA Endorsement / APHIS 7001
For Austria, the destination document is the EU health certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS. APHIS also notes an APHIS Form 7001 may sometimes be requested by an airline for boarding in the United States, but USDA only endorses the destination-country certificate when that is the required import document.
Complete with a USDA-accredited veterinarian shortly before departure so APHIS can endorse it before the 10-day entry window.Import Permit
Austria does not list an import permit requirement for the non-commercial movement of pet dogs entering under EU pet travel rules.
Not required for standard non-commercial pet travel.Parasite Treatment
Austria does not require routine tapeworm treatment for dogs entering Austria. Austria specifically notes Echinococcus multilocularis treatment is mandatory for dogs entering certain other destinations such as Malta, Finland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway, not for Austria itself.
Not required for entry into Austria.Quarantine Period
Austria does not impose a quarantine period for compliant pet dogs entering under the non-commercial EU rules.
No quarantine if all entry requirements are met.Banned Breeds
No Austria-wide federal import ban on specific dog breeds was identified on the official Austrian pet travel entry page reviewed. Travelers should still verify local municipal housing or handling rules after arrival.
Check local rules before departure if your dog is a restricted breed in your destination municipality.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical private-practice exam fee in the U.S. before international certificate completion. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only needed if your dog is not currently vaccinated or the booster timing will not satisfy Austria’s rules. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 for most U.S. travelers; $120-300 if required | Not required for direct travel from the United States, but can apply after travel from a non-listed third country. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have a readable ISO-compatible microchip. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101-160 | APHIS lists $101 per certificate when no lab tests are required, and $160 for 1 pet when 1-2 laboratory tests are required. |
| Airline pet fee | $100-400 | Lufthansa lists per-direction pet charges of $100 for a small pet in cabin on intercontinental routes, $200 for a medium kennel in hold, and $400 for a large kennel in hold. Austrian Airlines pricing is route-based in EUR and may differ. |
| Import permit fee | $0 | No import permit is normally required for non-commercial entry into Austria. |
| Total | $226-685 without titer test; $346-985 if a titer test is required |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, Austria is treated by CDC as a dog-rabies-free or low-risk country unless it appears on CDC’s high-risk list. For a dog that has been only in Austria and other dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before return to the United States, the required document is the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. CDC says the form can be completed the day of travel, though completing it a few days in advance is recommended, and the receipt is valid for 6 months as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk country and the country of departure matches. In addition, the dog must appear healthy on arrival, be at least 6 months old, and have a microchip detectable with a universal scanner. If your dog will visit any CDC high-risk country within the 6 months before returning, additional CDC rabies documentation rules apply and should be checked before you leave the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need a rabies titer test to enter Austria from the United States?
Usually no. Austria states that serological rabies testing is not required for dogs traveling from the United States because the U.S. is on the EU list of countries with simplified entry conditions.
How long before travel should my dog get the rabies vaccine for Austria?
If it is your dog’s first rabies vaccination or a booster was given late, Austria requires a 21-day wait after the vaccination becomes valid. The dog must also have been microchipped before that vaccination.
How recent can the health certificate be for Austria?
Austria states the animal health certificate must be no more than 10 days old when the dog enters the European Union. APHIS also notes the pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of endorsement.
Do I need an import permit for Austria?
Not for standard non-commercial pet travel. Austria’s official pet travel guidance for dogs entering under EU pet movement rules does not list an import permit requirement.
Is tapeworm treatment required for dogs entering Austria?
No, not for Austria. Austria’s official guidance mentions Echinococcus treatment for dogs entering certain other destinations such as Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and the United Kingdom, but not for Austria itself.
Will my dog have to quarantine in Austria?
Not if all entry requirements are met. Austria’s pet travel guidance does not impose quarantine for compliant dogs entering under the non-commercial rules.
Can I use APHIS Form 7001 instead of the EU certificate?
For Austria, the key import document is the EU animal health certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS. APHIS notes that Form 7001 may sometimes be requested by an airline for boarding, but USDA endorses the destination-country certificate when that is the required import document.
What do I need to bring my dog back to the United States from Austria?
If your dog has been only in Austria and other dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the previous 6 months, CDC requires a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Your dog must also be microchipped, healthy on arrival, and at least 6 months old.