Frequently asked questions

I am planning to move to Iceland and would like to bring my dog/cat, what do i need to do?

• Please visit our website for instructions and detailed information on pet importation.
• Read through the below document (FAQ)

Does my dog/cat need a rabies vaccine? There is no rabies in my country, and it is always indoors.

Yes, every dog/cat planning to enter Iceland must have a rabies vaccination and a serology titer test at least 30 days after the vaccination.

I am planning to import my cat/dog on December 14th from a Category 2 country. We did the rabies serology test on November 1st and the result is over 0.5IU/L can I still import my animal even though only 44 days have passed?

NO.  At least 90 days must have passed since the day the blood sample for the serology test was taken, before the animal can be imported into Iceland.

What is the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 countries (in terms of rabies testing)?

• Category 1: Rabies free countries - Rabies antibody testing must be performed at least 30 days after a valid rabies vaccination. Once the result is available, the animal is able to travel without any waiting period (as long as all other requirements are fulfilled).
• Category 2: Where rabies is well controlled - Rabies antibody testing must be performed at least 30 days after a valid rabies vaccination. AT least 90 days must pass from the day the sample was collected, before importation to Iceland (including a result of at least 0.5IU/l).

Why do I have to wait 90 days after the rabies serology testing before I can import my animal from a Category 2 country if I have a successful result?

It can take 90 days for an animal infected with rabies to show symptoms of the disease. During this period, it is not possible to tell if an animal has been infected.

The exporting country I am coming from does not have an approved EU laboratory to perform the rabies serology test. Can I use any other lab in my country?

No. The rabies serology test must be performed in an EU approved laboratory. If your exporting country does not appear on the list, the sample must be sent to an approved laboratory in another country.  

There is no leptospirosis in my country? Does my dog need a vaccine?

Yes, every dog/cat planning to enter Iceland must have a leptospirosis vaccination at least 14 days prior to entering Iceland. 

Why does my animal have to undergo 2 parasite treatments (21-28 days and 5-10 days) prior to import?

No treatment is ever 100% effective after just one application, by treating your pet consecutively we can rest assure that different stages of the parasite have been targeted. 

I am planning to import my dog on the 14th December, and he has received the leptospirosis vaccine on the 4th December, will this be ok?

No, at least 14 days must have passed since the last vaccination (this applies to Leptospirosis vaccine, as well as canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus and canine parainfluenza).  Please note that the leptospirosis vaccination, if restarting the course, requires two vaccinations at an interval of 3-4 weeks. Your dog will be able to travel at least 14 days after the second dose. 

Can my cat/dog undergo quarantine at home? We live in a very isolated area.

No. All cats and dogs must undergo a minimum of 14 days quarantine at one of the two quarantine stations. Different conditions apply for eligible assistance dogs. 

My cat/dog is very elderly and never goes out, can he do the quarantine at home?

No. All cats and dogs must undergo a minimum of 14 days quarantine at one of the two isolation stations. Different conditions apply to eligible assistance dogs. 

My dog is an emotional support dog, can he do the quarantine at home?

Only importers of certified assistance dogs can apply for a permit for their isolation to take place at home. An application for home quarantine for assistance dogs must be received by the Food Administration at least one month before import. 

How much will it cost to import my cat/dog to Iceland

The importer is responsible for all fees related to the preparation of the animal to Iceland (vaccinations, treatments, tests, any fee the exporting country/vet might charge for preparation of the certificate, flights, carrier etc.)

• Import fee per animal is 39,270 ISK.
• Considerable additional costs will be payable by the importer if the animal arrives outside of the approved arrival times 06:00 – 17:00 on admission days.
• For fees for the 14 day quarantine, please contact the stations directly.
• Additional fees may apply if further treatment needs to be carried out or the quarantine needs to be prolonged due to biosecurity concerns.
• Fees are subject to change. It is the importer´s responsibility to check our website for information on updates or amendments to fees, policies and procedures.

Why do animals from some countries require different preparations?

• Category 1 countries: Countries which are classed as rabies free: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (excluding Svalbard), Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.
• Category 2 countries: Countries is which rabies is well controlled: Bosnia, Canada, Greenland, Herzegovina, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Taiwan, Turkey, USA.

My country is not approved for export to Iceland. What should I do?

• Your animal must stay in an approved country the 6 months prior to being imported into Iceland – your animal must meet all the import requirements from the approved exporting country.
• Apply for your exporting country to be added onto the approved list. A review takes placed every 6 months.

Are there any age restrictions for import to Iceland?

• No. There are no age restrictions, however, all requirements must be fulfilled. Considering the requirements, pets travelling from Category 1 countries, will be at least around 4.5 months of age, whereas those coming from Category 2 countries will be at least 7 months old.
• Please note this is the lowest possible age for pets to have fulfilled all requirements.
• Please seek advice from your veterinarian if you are concerned about your animal´s age and how they will cope with the flight and quarantine stay.

Does my cat/dog need to travel to Iceland by plane?

Yes. Keflavik international Airport is the only approved entry port for pets.

Can my cat/dog accompany me in the cabin of the airplane?

No. From April 11th 2024 it will no longer be permitted to transport dogs and cats to Iceland in aircraft passenger compartments. This does not apply to certified service dogs and pets that are transiting in Keflavik airport. This change is in accordance to amendment regulation no. 332/2024.

I am travelling with my car on a ferry from Denmark, can my pet travel with me?

No. Keflavik International Airport is the only approved entry port for pets.

I am visiting Iceland on a cruise ship with several stops in Iceland. May my dog disembark with me ?

No. Animals on board carriers (vessels/aircrafts) that dock or transit in Iceland, are not, under any circumstances, allowed to leave the carrier. This applies to service animals as well as other animals. Please follow this link for more information.

My dog was booked on a flight to arrive in Iceland on Monday 14th, the flight has been cancelled and the new the flight arrives in Iceland on Thursday 17th, will this be approved?

 No. The quarantine stations work in an all-in-all-out basis. All animals must arrive during the designated arrival days. 

My dog was booked on a flight to arrive in Iceland on Monday 14th, the flight has been cancelled and the new the flight arrives in Iceland on Saturday 19th, will this be approved? 

No. The quarantine stations work in an all-in-all-out basis, therefore if your animal arrives so late, it will affect all the other animals in quarantine which will not be able to leave for nearly another week. 

Can my cat/dog arrive on any day and at any time? 

• No. Arrival dates are on predetermined weeks – please check the quarantine stations page for info on arrival dates.
• Arrival times: Approved arrival times are 06:00 – 17:00. If arriving outside of these specified hours is necessary, the importer must apply for a permission to MAST by e-mail, petimport@mast.is. MAST may grant approval for arrival between 17:00 and 21:00 if staff availability allows. Later arrivals will not be approved.
• Out of Hours fees will apply.

Is it possible to travel to Iceland with my dog/cat for two weeks? 

All dogs/cats entering Iceland, regardless of the reason for their entry (travelling, permanent import) or the length of their visit, are regarded as imports. Therefore, they ALL must undergo 14-day quarantine at one of the quarantine stations. They must also fulfil all health requirements as per health certificate and guidance notes. 

Must I fulfil all import conditions if I am only transiting through Iceland with my cat/dog? 

• No, your animal will not be subject to import conditions as it will not be entering Iceland.
• You do not require further approval from us, unless your animal is travelling in cabin as a service dog. Visit our page on transit permit for service dogs - Keflavík airport.