Travel to Iceland

Travel to Iceland with your pets

Before deciding to take your pet to Iceland, you need to know that the regulations for importation (for any kind of period) are really strict and extensive. It might not be worth it to go through the process of weeks (to months), all the stress for your pet , only to visit for a short period of time.

BACK

Iceland does not make a distinction between rabies free, rabies controlled or rabies present countries, all pets (cats and dogs) are required to go into quarantine for 4 weeks. The European Pet passport is not valid in Iceland. Any pet that does not fulfil the conditions of importation will not be allowed to enter Iceland. The pet will be returned to the country of export or euthanized at the expense of the owner. The following requirements need to be met for importation:

 

DOGS

  1. Microchip: The dog must be identifiable by an implanted microchip (ISO standard). The microchip needs to be implanted before vaccinations are given and blood samples are taken.

2. Vaccinations:

  • Rabies: The dog must have been vaccinated against rabies no more than 365 days and at least 120 days before entering Iceland. The first rabies vaccination must be given when the dog is at least 12 weeks old.

  • Leptospirosis: The dog must have been vaccinated against leptospirosis no more than 180 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

  • Canine distemper: The dog must have been vaccinated against canine distemper no more than 365 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

  • Contagious hepatitis: The dus must have been vaccinated against contagious hepatitis no more than 365 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

  • Parvovirus: The dog must have been vaccinated against parvovirus no more than 365 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

3. Laboratory tests: A series of laboratory blood tests must be completed.

  • Rabies antibody test: To proof that the rabies vaccination(s) was successful, the dog must have a rabies antibody titre blood test at least 30 days after the primary (or valid revaccination) rabies vaccination. The blood test must be performed at a laboratory approved by the EU and have a result of antibody levels at a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml. EU approved laboratories can be found HERE. The result of the rabies antibody test need to be emailed to MAST ( mast@mast.is) at least 5 days before the day of arrival in Iceland.

  • Brucella canis: The dog must be tested serologically for Brucella canis with a negative result. The blood sample must be drawn no more than 30 days before entering Iceland.

  • Salmonella spp: The dog must be tested for Salmonella spp (fecal sample) with a negative result. The sample must be taken no more than 30 days before entering Iceland.

CATS

  1. Microchip: The cat must be identifiable by an implanted microchip (ISO standard). The microchip needs to be implanted before vaccinations are given and blood samples are taken.

2. Vaccinations:

  • Rabies: The cat must have been vaccinated against rabies no more than 365 days and at least 120 days before entering Iceland. The first rabies vaccination must be given when the dog is at least 12 weeks old.

  • Feline panleukopenia: The cat must have been vaccinated against feline panleukopenia no more than 365 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

  • Feline rhinotracheitis: The cat must have been vaccinated against rhinotracheitis no more than 365 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

  • Calicivirus: The cat must have been vaccinated against calicivirus no more than 365 days and no less than 30 days before entering Iceland.

3. Laboratory tests: A series of laboratory blood tests must be completed.

  • Rabies antibody test: To proof that the rabies vaccination(s) was successful, the cat must have a rabies antibody titre blood test at least 30 days after the primary (or valid revaccination) rabies vaccination. The blood test must be performed at a laboratory approved by the EU and have a result of antibody levels at a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml. EU approved laboratories can be found HERE. The result of the rabies antibody test need to be emailed to MAST ( mast@mast.is) at least 5 days before the day of arrival in Iceland.

  • Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): The cat must be tested serologically for feline immunodeficiency virus with a negative result. The blood sample must be drawn no more than 30 days before importation to Iceland

  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV): The cat must be tested serologically for feline leukemia virus with a negative result. The blood sample must be drawn no more than 30 days before importation to Iceland.

  • Salmonella spp: The cat must be tested for Salmonella spp. (fecal sample) with a negative result. The sample must be taken no more than 30 days before importation to Iceland.

 

ALL PETS

1. Health examination: Between 5-10 days before arrival in Iceland the pet needs to be examined by an authorized veterinarian and must not show any signs of contagious diseases.

2. Tapeworm treatment: Between 5-10 days before arrival in Iceland the pet has to be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus) with an approved veterinary medicinal product.

3. External parasite treatment: Between 5-10 days before arrival in Iceland the pet has to be treated for external parasites (including ear mites, if indicated) with an approved veterinary medicinal product.

4. Import permit: An application for an import permit needs to be made with the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST). The application form can be found on the website of the MAST.

5. Certificate of health and origin for import of a pet to Iceland: Parts 1-8 of the Certificate of health and origin of the MAST needs to be fully completed. You can find the Certificate HERE. The completed certificate needs to be e-mailed to MAST (mast@mast.is) at least 5 days before the day of arrival in Iceland.

 

QUARANTINE

All pets entering Iceland are required to go into quarantine for 4 weeks. Keflavik airport (KEF) is the only approved port of entry and thus quarantine station to Iceland for pets. The quarantine station only admits pets for a three day period every month, during the permitted hours of 5.00 and 17.00. After the three day period, the quarantine station will close and will not accept other pets until the group has graduated after 4 weeks. You need to make a reservation at the quarantine station well in advance to prevent it from being booked up.

 

MINIMUM AGE FOR PETS TO BE IMPORTED TO ICELAND

The minimum age for pets to be imported to Iceland is 7 months (204 days). An exception is made for pets imported from rabies free countries, for those countries the minimum age is 5 months. Iceland considers the following countries to be rabies free:

Australia, Great-Britain, Finland, Faroe islands, Japan, Norway (Svalbard not included), New-Zealand and Sweden.

 

FEES FOR ENTERING ICELAND

The MAST charges around 300 USD for the import permit application. This fee also includes payment for importation checks. The costs for quarantine are roughly:

Dog category 3: 2440 USD

Dog category 2: 2220 USD

Dog category 1: 2000 USD

Cats: 1550 USD

 

Category 1 dogs: Bichon Frise, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, ChineseCrested, Dvergschnauzer, Griffon, Miniature Pincher, Shih Tzu, Papillon, Pomeranian, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier

Category 2 dogs: american Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Border Collie, English Cocker Spaniel, Icelandic Sheepdog, Standard Schnauzer

Category 3 dogs: Afghan hound, Alaskan Malamute, Berner Sennenhund, Bullmastiff, Giant Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, St. Bernard, Weimaraner, German shepherd.

 

PROHIBITED BREEDS OF PETS FOR ENTERING ICELAND

It is not permitted to import dogs of the following breeds: Pit bull terrier, stafforshire bull terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Toso inu, Dogo argentino nor would mixes. According to Icelandic animal importation legislation, the importation of potentially dangerous pets shall be avoided. Therefore, a temperament evaluation is required for dogs of certain breeds. Those are dogs that because of their size and strength can cause considerable damage if they are aggressive. A request for a temperament evaluation is sent to applicants when appropriate.

 

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, you can have a look at the website of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST).