Bringing a dog or cat from Australia to Iceland
Under Iceland's rules, pets from Australia are in the group “Category 1 (rabies-free) countries”. A dog from Australia needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, a rabies titer test, an import permit and an official health certificate. Expect at least 14 days of quarantine on arrival. Plan for 30 days from the first vaccine to arrival.
About Iceland: One of Europe's hardest destinations: every dog and cat needs an import permit, many vaccines, blood tests and parasite treatments, and a minimum 14-day quarantine, arriving only via Keflavik. Iceland does not follow EU pet passport rules.
Category 1 (rabies-free) countries Quarantine
- Titer test
- Required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- 14+ days
Minimum preparation: 30 days from the first rabies vaccine to arrival.
Step by step
Apply for an import permit
Apply to MAST at least 30 days before import (petimport@mast.is or the MAST portal) and pay the fee; the permit is valid for one year.
Book quarantine
Reserve a place at Hafnir (Reykjanesbaer) or Mosel (Hella). Admission is only on set 3-day windows about three weeks apart.
Microchip and rabies vaccine
Microchip, then rabies vaccine (MAST suggests about 45-60 days or more before import).
Rabies titer test
Blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination, tested at an EU-approved lab; result >=0.5 IU/ml.
Other vaccines
Dogs: leptospirosis, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Cats: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. Last dose at least 14 days before import.
Lab tests within 30 days
Dogs: Brucella canis negative; Leishmania negative (intact dogs); Angiostrongylus test or preventive treatment. Cats: FeLV and FIV negative.
Two parasite treatments
Internal (roundworm and tapeworm) and external (fleas, ticks, lice) treatment 21-28 days and again 5-10 days before import.
Vet exam and MAST certificate
Vet examines the pet 5-10 days before import and completes the MAST certificate of health and origin (only the MAST form is valid).
Send documents to MAST
Email the signed certificate and all lab reports to MAST no later than 5 days before arrival; wait for approval.
Fly into Keflavik
Arrive at Keflavik airport only, on a quarantine admission date, 06:00-17:00. Originals travel in an envelope on the crate.
Minimum 14 days at an approved quarantine station (Hafnir/Reykjanesbaer or Mosel/Hella) for every dog and cat, regardless of length of stay; longer if requirements are not met.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same process with cat-specific vaccines (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus) and FeLV/FIV tests instead of dog tests; 14-day quarantine applies.
- Banned breeds
- Pit Bull Terrier / Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Presa Canario, Boerboel, Crosses of these within 5 generations, Wolf hybrids (wolf ancestry within 10 generations), Other breeds MAST deems comparable risk
- How many pets
- Not specified.
- Parasite treatment
- Dogs and cats: two treatments against internal (roundworm, tapeworm) and external (fleas, ticks, lice) parasites, at 21-28 days and 5-10 days before import. Dogs also need Angiostrongylus test or preventive spot-on 5-10 days before.
- Arrival
- Keflavik International Airport only (no ferries, no Reykjavik/Akureyri airports, no private planes), weekdays 06:00-17:00 on quarantine admission dates. In-cabin allowed if the airline agrees.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Australia to Iceland?
Australia counts as "Category 1 (rabies-free) countries" for Iceland. Starting from a pet with no rabies vaccine, the minimum is 30 days: rabies vaccine, a blood test at least 30 days later, then the waiting period before arrival.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Australia to Iceland?
Yes. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine.
Will my pet be quarantined in Iceland?
Yes. Pets from Australia spend at least 14 days in quarantine on arrival.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. Iceland requires an import permit, and you need to apply or notify at least 30 days before arrival.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same process with cat-specific vaccines (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus) and FeLV/FIV tests instead of dog tests; 14-day quarantine applies.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Iceland pet import rules.