If you are planning a trip to Austria with your pet, first of all, it is important to familiarize yourself with the veterinary requirements and collect the necessary documents. The import rules of many EU countries are similar, so if you have already been to Europe with your pet, it will not be difficult for you to prepare for the trip.

One of the most important requirements in Austria is the declaration of pets at customs upon arrival in the country. You can declare a pet at the airports of Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, Salzburg or Vienna. This requirement applies to pets from third countries with the exception of Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Northern Ireland, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City State. The same rules apply to the above countries as to EU countries.

In addition, each pet must:

• Have a microchip or tattoo for identification. A tattoo is allowed if it was applied before 07/03/2011;

• Be vaccinated against rabies;

• Pass a rabies antibody titer test (only for countries with a high risk of rabies infection). A blood test must be performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before travel. The test result must show a titer of 0.5 IU/ml or more;

• Accompanied by a document, which must contain data on the identification and vaccination of the animal. This can be a European pet passport or a veterinary certificate completed by an authorized veterinarian.

Austria allows the importation of young pets (up to 12 weeks old) as well as animals (12-16 weeks old) whose vaccination does not yet meet the requirements. Animals in this category may enter from EU countries as well as low-risk third countries (specified in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 576/2013). In this case, the following conditions must be met:

• Young animals may be accompanied by a mother on whom they are still dependent. The mother's pet passport (or veterinary certificate) must contain information about her current vaccination;

• An animal owner may provide a written statement confirming that his animals have not been in contact with a species susceptible to rabies from birth until the time of travel.

There is a limit on the number of pets brought into Austria for non-commercial purposes. No more than 5 animals per person are allowed. The exception is travel with the purpose of participating in exhibitions, competitions and sporting events, as well as preparing for them. Otherwise, if you need to transport more pets, you will be subject to the rules for the commercial movement of animals.