Pets arriving in Finland from abroad
Please make sure that your pets have the appropriate travel documents to ensure that their journey goes as smoothly as your own.
The necessary travel documents and health documents differ depending on your country of residence or the animal’s country of origin.
Any pets travelling to Finland through the Saimaa Canal must comply with the normal regulations for pets entering the country from Russia. Please see the information regarding the use of European Union Pet Passport below.
You must also ensure that your pet will meet the entry requirements of your home country, when you return home with your pet. A pet travelling with a passenger is an animal that is not intended to be sold or handed over to a new owner.
A dog or a cat arriving in Finland from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland or equivalent country
A pet arriving with a traveller from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland and certain other countries must be must be accompanied by a pet passport.
You can purchase this passport from a vet. Before issuing a passport, the vet will check that the animal has an identification implant, a microchip. The vet makes all the entries on the pet passport, including the animal’s and its owner’s information, the animal’s ID number, vaccinations and medications against parasites.
A pet passport can also be used when a traveller visits a country outside the EU with the pet and returns to the EU with the animal.
Please contact your vet, in your country of residence, well in advance (several weeks before) before going on holiday. Please see the detailed instructions and a list of countries on the homepage of the
Finnish Food Authority by following this link.
A dog or a cat entering Finland from Russia, the US and certain other countries
A dog or a cat entering Finland from Russia, the US and certain other countries must have a health check certificate. This certificate can be granted in the pet’s home country by a veterinarian who works for the authorities and holds the right to issue a health certificate, in accordance with EU requirements.
Please see the detailed instructions and a list of countries on the homepage of the Finnish Food Authority by following this link.