The dog must accompany the owner
Non-commercial movement of pet animals means that the movement of the dog is caused by the movement of the owner and that the dog during the movement is under the direct responsibility of the owner.
Furthermore, the dog must not be intended for sale just as the ownership of the dog must not be intended to be transferred to another person.
Non-commercial movement of dogs may take place up to five days before or after the the movement of the owner.
If the movement of the dogs cannot take place at the same time as the movement of the owner, but within the time limits mentioned above, the movement of the dog must take place under the responsibility of another person authorised by the owner to move the dog on his/her behalf.
The authorisation must be in writing. For this purpose the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has created a model that you are welcome to use. Remember to let the authorisation accompany the dog during its movement.
Authorised person means a natural person and could be e.g.:
• Your spouse.
• A friend.
• An employee at an animal transport company.
Get the form for Authorisation
If the movement of a dog is not caused by the movement of its owner or the movement takes place more than five days before or after the movement of the owner, the movement of the dog must comply with the requirements for commercial import.
The movement of the dog must also comply with the requirements for commercial import if the dog is moved with the intention to be sold or of transferring the ownership of the dog to another person.
On request you must be able to document that the movement is non-commercial
Commercial import of pet animals - especially dogs - often takes place fraudulenty disguised as non-commercial movement. Therefore you may be asked to document that the movement of your dog is indeed non-commercial.
On request from the competent authorities (Police, Customs or the Veterinary authorities) you may be asked to document that the movement of the dog is non-commercial and is caused by the movement of the owner.
Proper documentation can be hotel reservations or invoices, boardingpasses, flight or train tickets etc. which clearly indicates that the movement of the dogs is caused by the movement of the owner.
There are certain dog breeds that you may not move to Denmark
These 13 dog breeds are not allowed in Denmark:
1) Pitt Bull Terrier
2) Tosa Inu
3) American Staffordshire Terrier
4) Fila Brasileiro
5) Dogo Argentino
6) American Bulldog
7) Boerboel
8) Kangal
9) Central Asian Shepherd Dog (ovtcharka)
10) Caucasian Shepherd Dog (ovtcharka)
11) South Russian Shepherd Dog (ovtcharka)
12) Tornjak
13) Sarplaninac
Cross-breeds of any of the breeds mentioned above are also not allowed in Denmark. Exemption from these rules is not possible.
Movement of wild dog species or cross-breeds hereof is also not allowed.
An exception can be made if the transport takes place without unnecessary stays in this country. This means if you are travelling by car, the dog is not allowed to leave the car during transit in Denmark – except for very short stays outside, for example when it is necessary for the dog to pee. Traveling by train is not included in this exception.
Nevertheless, if you did own your dog prior to March 17, 2010, the dog will be covered by the transitional arrangements. Therefore you are allowed to bring such a dog to Denmark.
During your stay in Denmark you must comply with the requirements of the Danish Dog Act. For more information read about The Danish dog law at the website of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark
Your dog must have a valid identification
The dog must be marked with a microchip or by a clearly readable tattoo applied before July 3, 2011.
The technical requirements of the microchip must comply with ISO Standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology and be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO Standard 11785.
If your dogs microchip does not comply with the ISO Standard
Then the owner or the authorised person must provide the means necessary for reading that microchip at the time of any verification of the marking on request from the competent authority.
The maximum number of pet animals of the species dog, cat and ferret you move may not exceed five
The maximum number of pet animals of the species dog, cat and ferret that may accompany their owner or an authorised person during a movement may not exceed five animals in total.
However, that number may exceed five animals if the following conditions are met:
1) The movement of the pet animals is for the purpose of participation in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training for such events.
2) The animals are accompanied by written documentation that they are registered either to attend such events or with an association organizing such events.
3) All the pet animals are more than six months old.
If the pet animals do not meet the conditions mentioned above they must comply with the requirements for commercial import.
Get and fill out the Puppy/Kitten Declaration
This declaration is applicaple for movement of young dogs that:
- are either under 12 weeks old and not yet vaccinated against rabies, or
- are between 12 and 16 weeks old and vaccinated against rabies, but that vaccination is not yet valid.
Note - The possibility to move young dogs, cats and ferrets without a valid rabies vaccination will end at the end of 2024.
From 2025, dogs, cats and ferrets may only be moved to Denmark if they are validly vaccinated against rabies.
The rules will then correspond to the requirements for animals that are at least 15 weeks old when they are moved.
A valid rabies vaccination means that your dog is vaccinated against rabies by an authorized veterinarian in accordance with the requirements of Annex III of Regulation (EU) 576/2013.
Link to Regulation (EU) 576/2013
If the puppy does not have a valid rabies vaccination, the owner or the authorised person must fill out and sign the Puppy/Kitten Declaration which besides the EU Pet Passport must accompany the puppy during the movement to Denmark.
Get the Puppy/Kitten Declaration
Please note that this declaration may not be used in connection with movement of young stray dogs as their upbringing is unknown.
Note - The possibility to move young dogs, cats and ferrets without a valid rabies vaccination will end at the end of 2024.
From 2025, dogs, cats and ferrets may only be moved to Denmark if they are validly vaccinated against rabies.
The rules will then correspond to the requirements for animals that are at least 15 weeks old when they are moved.
Your puppy must be at least 8 weeks old
It is not allowed to bring a dog to Denmark which is under 8 weeks old unless it is moved with its mother.
Movement of puppy litters and the mother
If your are moving a bitch with its litter of puppies, you are not to use the Puppy/Kitten Declaration. However, the puppies must have their own passports.
Furthermore, the bitch must have a valid rabies vaccination prior to the birth of the puppies, which must be documented in her passport.
However, it must be stated in the EU Pet Passport of the mother that she had a valid rabies vaccination prior to the birth of the puppies.
Note - The possibility to move young dogs, cats and ferrets without a valid rabies vaccination will end at the end of 2024.
From 2025, dogs, cats and ferrets may only be moved to Denmark if they are validly vaccinated against rabies.
The rules will then correspond to the requirements for animals that are at least 15 weeks old when they are moved.
Be careful when buying a puppy
It is not irrelevant from where you buy or get a puppy.
Buying a puppy should be an informed decision and not a hasty impulse.
If you search for a serious breeder you will minimize the risk of buying a puppy that is sick or brought up under bad conditions.
Registration in the Danish Dog Register
Your dog must be registered in the Danish Dog Register no later than 4 weeks upon arrival in Denmark.
This means that even if your stay in Denmark is only temporary, your dog must be registered in the Danish Dog Register if the stay exceeds 4 weeks.
Go to The Danish Dog Register or contact an authorised veterinarian.