Bringing a dog or cat to 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.
Which rules apply to you
Iceland sorts arriving pets by where they travel from. Find your group, then follow its steps.
| Arriving from | Titer test | Wait after sample | Permit | Quarantine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (rabies-free) countriesMAST category 1 list. Pet must have lived there since birth or for at least 6 months before import. | Yes | — | Yes | 14+ days |
| Category 2 (rabies well controlled) countriesMAST category 2 list (includes USA, Canada, and EU members Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia). Pet must have lived there since birth or for at least 6 months. | Yes | 3 months | Yes | 14+ days |
| Non-approved countriesAll other countries. Pets cannot be imported directly. | Yes | — | Yes | 14+ days |
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.
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. From category 2 countries at least 90 days must pass between the blood sample and import.
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.
Relocate to an approved country first
The pet must live in a category 1 or 2 country for the 6 months before import, then follow that category's process.
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.
- Pregnant or lactating animals cannot be imported.
- Import fee about 40,648 ISK per animal plus quarantine station fees.
- Earliest practical age: about 4.5 months from category 1 and about 7 months from category 2 countries.
- Certified assistance dogs may apply for home quarantine at least one month before import.
- Sedation is prohibited unless supervised by a vet.
What we could not confirm
- Category 2 instructions (D2/C2) not read in detail; assumed same as category 1 plus the 90-day wait.
- minAgeAtEntryWeeks are MAST's approximate earliest ages (4.5 and 7 months), not formal limits.
- certificateIssuedWithinDaysBeforeTravel = vet exam/certificate 5-10 days before import (set to 10).
- MAST FAQ lists 'Bosnia' and 'Herzegovina' separately; treated as BA.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) before booking.