If you’ve brought your furry friend to Germany, you must register them at your installation’s veterinary clinic within the first 14 days of arriving. 

Per the DOD, “As of January 1, 2024, military service members going through a PCS within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental United States to cover costs related to the transportation of a pet.”

Go to www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3624131/pet-transportation-allowance to learn more.

Installation vet offices do not provide after-hours emergency care, so ask for a list of clinics (Tierarztpraxis) on the German economy. Many German veterinarians have English-speaking staff and accept VAT forms.

Make an appointment with a local German veterinarian soon after arrival to get your pet’s EU Pet Passport. Bring all their paperwork. The pet passport serves as a record of veterinary treatment and is required to be kept up to date in order to travel with your pet.

VACCINATIONS AND PREVENTATIVES

German veterinarians can guide you on what vaccinations and preventative treatments your animals will need each year. Most vet clinics will want to make sure your dog is protected against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, rabies, hepatitis and kennel cough. In addition, flea and tick treatment is highly recommended.

• Animals must never be left tied up and unattended. 

• Keep your dog leashed in populated areas and anytime someone approaches. 

• Shelter must always be provided for your pet.

• Food and water must always be easily accessible for your pet. 

• You are expected to give your dog adequate attention and exercise.

• Barking, howling or whining for 10 minutes continuously, or more than 30 minutes total, per day is considered a noise disturbance.

• Electric disciplinary devices are not permitted.

Requirements:

• All pets must have their 15-digit international microchip.

• EU Pet Passport must accompany your pet.

• Depending on your pet’s size, you may need to book them a ticket on trains.

• Animals must be contained while riding in vehicles (carrier or harness).

SHIPPING YOUR PET

If you arrived without pets and plan ship them later, they will need current vaccinations, health records and a health certificate. If arriving at Frankfurt or Ramstein, you’ll be charged an importation fee. Contact the Frankfurt airport’s animal protection officer at +49 (0) 696-902-1366 if your pet will be arriving unaccompanied. Pet travel during extreme summer and winter temperatures may be prohibited, depending on the breed and airline. Dogs descending from dangerous breeds may be forbidden from importation.

Welcome to Germany