How to Bring a Pet to Finland? A Complete Guide

Finland allows the entry of pets from Ukraine when accompanied by their owners. However, since July 1, 2023, all pets must comply with the general import requirements.

If a pet does not meet these requirements, it may be quarantined, returned to Ukraine, or even euthanized at the owner’s expense.

📌 It is strongly recommended to have an EU pet passport and all required vaccinations before departure. Check Ukraine's export regulations before leaving with your pet.

New Import Rules from July 2023

Previously, pets arriving from Ukraine benefited from relaxed entry rules due to the war. However, these special conditions ended on June 30, 2023, following a decision by the European Commission.

❗ Important: While you can enter Finland with pets, all veterinary and treatment costs are your responsibility. Veterinary services in Finland can be very expensive!

🔗 For official guidelines on pet entry from Ukraine to Finland from July 1, 2023, visit the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto).

📌 Pet Import Requirements to Finland (2024 Update)

To bring a dog, cat, or ferret from Ukraine to Finland, you must ensure the pet meets all entry conditions:

✅ Microchip implantation before rabies vaccination

✅ Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age or later

✅ Rabies antibody test 30 days after vaccination in an EU-approved laboratory

✅ Antibody test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml

✅ Minimum 3-month waiting period in Ukraine after rabies antibody test before entry into Finland

✅ Dogs must receive an echinococcus treatment 1–5 days before crossing the border

✅ Original vaccination documents and EU health certificate from an official veterinary authority

✅ A maximum of 5 pets per owner

📌 Search tool for pet entry conditions in Finland: Click here

🐕 Leaving Finland with a Dog: Travel Rules

If traveling for less than 24 hours (e.g., a trip to Estonia), Finland has specific re-entry rules:

• If your trip is shorter than 24 hours, a one-time deworming treatment in Estonia will not be valid upon return to Finland.
• In this case, the 28-day rule applies:
1. Administer a deworming treatment before departure in Finland.
2. Administer another treatment within 28 days after returning to Finland.

📌 For frequent travelers with dogs, it is recommended to regularly deworm them every 28 days.

🔗 Read more on echinococcus deworming rules here

🐾 Importing a Pet to Finland (Commercial & Non-Accompanied Pets)

The term "import" applies when a pet’s journey is not connected to its owner’s travel. This includes:

• Pets traveling alone without the owner
• Pets intended for sale or transfer within the EU
• Traveling with more than five animals
• If the pet and owner travel more than five days apart

📌 Pre-checking Documents: It is highly recommended to scan the veterinary certificate and send it to Finnish border veterinarians at lentoasema@ruokavirasto.fi at least 24 hours before the pet’s arrival.

🔹 Importers are responsible for all costs if a pet fails to meet requirements.

💰 Fees & Border Inspection Times

📌 Official Finnish veterinary border control stations: Click here

🏠 Pet-Friendly Refugee Housing in Finland

Some refugee reception centers in Finland allow pets. If you are unable to find private accommodation for you and your pet, you may stay at a refugee center that accepts pets, such as:

📍 Riihimäki Refugee Reception Center

❗ Important Notes for Staying in a Refugee Center with a Pet:

• You are responsible for any damage your pet causes.
• You must keep your room clean.
• Pets must not disturb other residents (e.g., excessive barking).
• Always keep pets on a leash or in a carrier when outside the room.
• No pet violence is tolerated under Finnish animal protection laws.

📌 More information: Refugee Pet Housing Guide

📎 Additional Resources & Official Links

🔹 Finnish Food Authority: Pet Entry Requirements

🔹 Finnish Pet Registration System

🔹 Information for Pet Owners (PDF)

🔹 Animal Welfare Act

By following these rules, pet owners can safely and legally bring their animals to Finland while avoiding any unexpected quarantine, return orders, or fines. 🐾