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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Pet Travel from the U.S. to Denmark

Last Modified: Nov 13, 2020
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This country allows USDA Accredited Veterinarians to use USDA’s online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) to complete health certificates.

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USDA Accredited Veterinarian Signature Electronic Signature Accepted
USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Signature Digital Endorsement NOT Acccepted
The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal
Before going to VEHCS: Scroll below this banner to view animal-specific requirements.

To process some health certificates, VEHCS may need the USDA Accredited Veterinarian to upload the completed fillable PDF version found below. Either save a copy of the PDF below, or return to this page for the health certificate, if prompted by VEHCS.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, log in here if you wish to use VEHCS.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, help with using VEHCS is available on the VEHCS Help Page. To walk yourself through issuing a health certificate in VEHCS, click here.
NOTE:The printed paper endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment. You can arrange to have your endorsed health certificate returned via pick-up or by mail (a pre-paid, pre-addressed return label must be provided during certificate submission).
Note: Effective immediately, Denmark has imposed a ban on imports of live mink. This does not include other mustelids. (November 9, 2020)

View a list of European Union countries. 


Does the pet have an EU Pet Passport?

  • YES, the pet has an EU Pet Passport.  Please view the following webpage for more information on the EU Pet Passport and to determine if the pet’s EU Passport is still valid.
  • NO, the pet DOES NOT have an EU Pet Passport.  Please follow the requirements listed in the steps below.
  • Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be individually identified by an ISO compliant (11784 and 11785) microchip.
    • ISO compliant microchips are 15 digits long.  The pet’s microchip ISO compatibility can be confirmed with the microchip manufacturer.
  • If the pet does not have an ISO compliant microchip:
    • The pet will need to travel with a microchip reader that can read the microchip OR contact the Veterinary Officials at the intended port of arrival to verify that they have a reader capable of reading the pet’s microchip. 
      OR
      If a non-ISO compatible microchip was previously implanted and can still be read, then the Veterinarian can implant an ISO-compatible microchip in addition to the non-ISO one the pet currently has.
      • The number and the date of implantation of both microchips must be documented on the EU Health Certificate.
  • When recording the “Date of implantation and/or reading [dd/mm/yyyy]” of the microchip/transponder on the health certificate, IT MUST BE ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE PRIMARY RABIES VACCINATION. It cannot be the date of issuance of the health certificate.

If this pet is less than 15 weeks old and has not been vaccinated for rabies more than 21 days before entry into the EU, there are two options:

  • Option 1:
    • The young pet animal is traveling with its mother on whom it is still dependent (nursing). Written documentation (rabies certificate) may be requested upon arrival in the EU showing that the mother was vaccinated for rabies before the birth of the young pet animal, and that the mother’s rabies vaccination has not expired. (If the mother’s rabies vaccination has expired before travel, she must comply with the requirements for animals older than 15 weeks of age below, and this option for the young animals does not apply.); 
  • Option 2:
    • The owner or designated person* must sign a Declaration which must accompany the health certificate declaring that, from birth until the time of travel to the EU, the young pet animal has had no contact with wild animals susceptible to rabies. 

*Designated person: a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet.

Click here to check which EU Member States accept pets under 15 weeks of age. 

For pets at least 15 weeks old and vaccinated for rabies more than 21 days before entry into the EU:

  • Rabies vaccination must occur the same day as or AFTER microchip implantation. The rabies vaccination may be administered the same day as microchip implantation, but any rabies vaccination before a microchip is implanted is invalid.
    • If the pet had a non-ISO compatible microchip implanted at the same time as or before the pet’s most recent vaccination and it is still readable, the pet will not have to be revaccinated even if it had to be re-microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip to travel to the EU.
    • Remember, the number and implantation dates of both microchips must be documented on the EU Health Certificate and at least one of these microchips must have been implanted before the pet’s most recent rabies vaccine.
  • Rabies vaccinations valid for 1, 2 or 3 years are acceptable as long as the rabies vaccination is current and has been administered according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
    • The rabies vaccination must not expire before entering the EU.
  • A copy of the rabies vaccination certificate should accompany the pet to the EU. 

  • After a primary rabies vaccination, the pet must wait 21 days before it is eligible to enter the EU.
  • A rabies vaccination is considered a primary vaccination by the EU when:
    • It is the first vaccination given after microchip implantation (this vaccination can be administered on the same day or any time after microchip implantation).
      OR
      The previous rabies vaccination was expired when the latest vaccination was given.
      • If a rabies vaccination given after microchip implantation expires before another rabies vaccination can be given, the pet must wait 21 days after the new rabies vaccination before being eligible to enter the EU, as the new vaccination is now considered a primary vaccination.  If there has not been a lapse in the rabies vaccination of the pet, the pet does not have to wait 21 days to travel to the EU after the booster vaccination.

If the pet is more than 15 weeks old and the most recent rabies vaccine is a primary rabies vaccine, the pet must wait 21 days after the date of that primary rabies vaccine before it can enter the EU. 

NOTE: If the pet is less than 15 weeks old and has not been vaccinated for rabies for 21 days before entry into the EU, see Step 2 to determine if the pet is eligible to enter the EU by checking which Member States allow these pets.

The EU has two different health certificates for pets.  The health certificate used will depend on the number of animals traveling, whether or not the pet is traveling within 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**, and whether the pet will change ownership or is intended for resale in the EU. 

  • The “non-commercial” health certificate is:
    • For 5 or less pets traveling to the EU within 5 days of the owner or designated person**.
      OR
      For 6 or more privately owned pets that are more than 6 months old and traveling in a group to the EU to participate in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or in training for events, within 5 days of the owner or designated person**.
    • Valid for 10 days after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues (completes and signs) it.  The health certificate must be issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed (counter-signed and embossed/stamped) by APHIS within 10 days prior to entering the EU.
      • APHIS endorsement is not required if the health certificate is issued by a military veterinarian*.
    • The final page of the EU Health Certificate contains a Declaration which must be completed and signed by the owner or designated person** before the pet travels to the EU.  The Declaration must accompany the pet and health certificate to the EU.
      • Once the health certificate is endorsed by APHIS, the owner or designated person** must enter the APHIS-assigned certificate number in the “Animal health certificate number” section of the Declaration.  See the instructions for completing the non-commercial health certificate on the Health Certificate page.
    • ALERT: This health certificate is NOT for pets traveling to the EU more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**, or changing ownership or are intended for resale in the EU.  This type of movement falls under the “commercial” health certificate below.

  • The “commercial” health certificate is:
    • For pets (any number) who are traveling more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**.
      OR
      For 6 or more privately owned pets traveling at the same time (even if their owner or designated person** is traveling to the EU at the same time or within 5 days before or after the pet).
      OR
      For pet animals changing ownership or intended for resale when arriving in the EU.
    • Valid for 48 hours after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues (completes and signs) it.  The health certificate must be issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed (counter-signed and embossed/stamped) by APHIS within 48 hours of departing the U.S.
      • APHIS endorsement is not required if the health certificate is issued by a military veterinarian*.

*A Military Veterinarian is defined as a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S. Army Veterinary Service working at military treatment facilities.  It does not apply to Army Veterinary Service non-appropriated fund or Department of Defense civilian contract veterinarians.

**Designated person: a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet.


  • After the pet’s USDA Accredited Veterinarian has issued (completed and signed) the EU Health Certificate, have the pet’s completed health certificate endorsed by your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Office.
    • APHIS endorsement is not required if the health certificate was issued by a Military Veterinarian*.

  • Your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Office will be able to provide specific information about the process and fees associated with endorsement of the EU Health Certificate.

*A Military Veterinarian is defined as a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S. Army Veterinary Service working at military treatment facilities.  It does not apply to Army Veterinary Service non-appropriated fund or Department of Defense civilian contract veterinarians.



The EU health certificate is valid for travel within the EU for up to 4 months from the date it is issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian as long as the rabies vaccine documented on it does not expire.

After entering the EU, dogs subsequently traveling to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway will need to be treated for tapeworms by an EU veterinarian within 1-5 days before entering those countries. The EU veterinarian will add the tapeworm treatment information to the EU health certificate issued in the United States. It is your responsibility to ensure your pet meets the import requirements of each country you visit.

 

Please make sure you read all requirements for taking pet birds to the European Union (EU). 

The following applies to pet birds traveling to the EU in a group of five or less birds.  For owners taking more than five pet birds to the EU, different rules may apply. 

  • Pet birds must have an identification number such as a clip, leg band, microchip (transponder), or tag.
  • Pet birds must be moved to a household or another residence within the EU and must not be entered in shows, fairs, exhibitions or other gatherings of birds during the period of 30 days following entry into the EU.
  • Pet birds may have to undergo isolation with or without testing for Avian Influenza before traveling to the EU.
  • The options for how to prepare a bird for export to the EU are listed below.  Select the applicable pre-export option to obtain a health certificate and instructions for completing the health certificate.  Once the conditions of the EU health certificate have been met, the pet bird must be examined and an EU health certificate must be issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 48 hours of travel or the last working day prior to the date of departure to the EU.
  • Call ahead to your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Office to make arrangements for the APHIS veterinarian to endorse (counter-sign and emboss/stamp) the health certificate after it is issued.

The pet bird was kept at a location under the USDA Accredited Veterinarian’s supervision for at least 30 days prior to leaving the U.S. The pet bird was not in contact with other birds during this time.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Pet Birds CLICK HERE

Instructions for completing the Health Certificate for Option 1.

Pet birds in the U.S., including pet birds brought into the U.S., are not vaccinated for Avian Influenza so this choice is not an option.  The section in the health certificate for this vaccination option has been pre-lined out in the health certificates for Options 1 (above), 3 (below), and 4 (below).

The pet bird has been isolated (kept away) from other birds for at least 10 days prior to leaving the U.S. AND tested for Avian Influenza H5 and H7 antigens or genomes with a virus isolation or RT-PCR test. Regardless of test type used, both a cloacal swab and an oropharyngeal swab must be taken at least 3 days after the 10 day isolation starts.  Testing must occur at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) approved laboratory for Avian Influenza.

NOTE: the day isolation begins is considered DAY 0.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Pet Birds CLICK HERE

Instructions for completing the Health Certificate for Option 3.

Do you plan to bring your birds back to the U.S. after your visit to the EU? 

View requirements for pet birds returning to the U.S.

For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommended that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.

Country of destination contact information:  


Considerations for airline travel:

Airlines may have separate and additional requirements. Check with your airline to determine what requirements they may have, if any. 

Additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates.

View requirements for returning to the US with your pet


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