If you are a pet owner, then perhaps one of the most stressful parts of expatriation is figuring out if, and how, you can bring your pet along to your new home. As a member state of the EU, Hungary follows a specific process when it comes to pets. If you follow the below rules and regulations carefully, you will avoid having your pet quarantined or even denied entry to the country.
Which animals are you allowed to bring to Hungary?
Unfortunately, not all pets are allowed in Hungary. If your pet is a mink, a squirrel or a turtle (painted or red-eared slider), then it cannot come with you to Hungary. If you have tropical fish, reptiles or amphibians, rodents and rabbits, they can enter the country provided they have a health certificate. Pet birds need to have been in isolation for 30 days before travelling, otherwise, they'll have to spend 30 days in quarantine in Hungary.
The most common pets to bring to Hungary are dogs, cats and ferrets ' read below on the regulations that apply and the steps you must take before and after travelling. One thing you need to be aware of is that young puppies, kittens, and baby ferrets are not allowed to enter Hungary, as they are still too young to get their required rabies vaccination. Even if you are entering from a rabies-free country, there is still a 21-day wait before your pet can enter Hungary.
Good to know: You are only allowed to bring up to five pets with you. If you have more, the only way to transport them without being considered a 'commercial movement' is for them to be at least six months of age and for you to provide proof that they are attending/training for some competition or sporting event.
Bringing your pet to Hungary
The first thing you need to do is get your pet chipped with an electronic microchip for identification purposes or a clearly readable tattoo. Then, you need to vaccinate your pet for rabies and get a certificate from an authorised veterinarian that proves vaccination took place. If everything is up to date, your pet won't have to wait 21 days upon entering Hungary.
Good to know: If you're coming from an EU/EFTA country, it may be required that you repeat the rabies vaccination on a yearly basis ' ask your vet for more pertinent information. If you're coming from a third country, the rabies vaccination will be considered good for three years. Animals coming from certain third-countries may require an extra blood test, so you should consult your vet about it.
To enter Hungary, your pets will need a passport or a certification, depending on whether you're coming from an EU/EFTA country or not. In the first case, your vet will arrange your pet's EU passport, whereas in the second case they will issue an official certificate. At the entry point checks in Hungary, if your pet meets the criteria mentioned above they will be granted entrance to the country. If not, you should be aware that the authorities retain the right to either send the animal back, quarantine it (with the expenses paid by you) or even put it down (!) if the two previous options are not possible.
Good to know: You should travel directly to Hungary ' or transit through another EU/EFTA country if your trip requires transit. If you transit through a third country that happens to be high-rabies, then you also need a Transit Declaration that your pet had no contact with rabies-carrying animals.
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