Exemption for Pet Animals from Ukraine Ends on 1 July 2023

As of 1 July 2023, EU Member States, including Lithuania, discontinue the exemption previously granted to pet animals arriving from Ukraine. This change marks a return to standard controls, applying EU regulations on the movement of cats, dogs, and ferrets from Ukraine into the European Union.

The reinstated rules apply to both Ukrainians and other third-country nationals traveling to the EU with pets. The following requirements must be met:

- The pet animal must be equipped with a microchip.         

- The pet animal must be at least 12 weeks old at the date of receiving a rabies vaccination.

- A blood sample, taken a minimum of 30 days post-vaccination, should be tested for rabies antibodies at an EC-approved laboratory, with a result of no less than 0.5 IU. *Certain exceptions may apply; The requirements can be found here.

- The pet animal, accompanied by a health certificate, may cross the EU border at a minimum of 90 days after the blood sample was taken. *Certain exceptions may apply; The requirements can be found here.

Under specific circumstances and in accordance with current EU law, pet animals failing to meet EU requirements may still be allowed entry. Such cases require prior agreement with the EU country of destination and an authorisation from said country to admit a pet that does not comply with EU requirements. For reference, the Ukraine crisis of 2022 Contact information is available.

Alicija Zarankovich, Chief Veterinarian of the Border Food and Veterinary Control Division of the SFVS, commented, “Having evaluated the situation at the Ukraine border and considering Ukraine’s stance presented at the General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health, where it was affirmed that Ukraine’s competent veterinary services can adequately oversee animal health and enforce EU pet animal requirements, the decision has been made to discontinue the exemption.”

The SFVS wants to emphasise that pet animals may be transported for non-commercial purposes by either the owner or an authorised person responsible for the pet during its non-commercial travel.

Additionally, for a single journey, the number of pet animals (including dogs, cats, and ferrets) moved by an owner or authorised person for non-commercial purposes should not exceed five animals.

More than five pet animals (including dogs, cats, and ferrets) may be transported, provided the following conditions are met:

1. The transportation of pet animals for non-commercial purposes is exclusively for participating in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training for such events.
2. The owner or authorised person provides written proof that the pet animals are registered as participants in the event referred to in point 1 or registered with the organisation organising such events.
3. Pet animals are older than six months.

For information on how to declare animals arriving from third countries to Lithuania, please followthis link.

Last updated: 04-01-2024