Bringing a dog or cat to Norway
Applies EU pet rules as an EEA member, but every dog must be tapeworm-treated by a vet 1-5 days before entry and all pets must be declared in the red customs channel. From non-listed countries (including the UK per Mattilsynet) a titer test 3 months before entry and arrival only via Oslo Gardermoen or Storskog are required.
Which rules apply to you
Norway sorts arriving pets by where they travel from. Find your group, then follow its steps.
| Arriving from | Titer test | Wait after sample | Permit | Quarantine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From EU/EEA countriesPets coming from EU member states (and EEA states) with an EU-model pet passport. | No | — | No | Only if rules not met |
| Directly from SwedenPets travelling only between Sweden and Norway. | No | — | No | Only if rules not met |
| From listed non-EU countriesMattilsynet's listed countries: Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City. | No | — | No | Only if rules not met |
| From other listed non-EU countriesThird countries on the EU's list of listed countries (for example the US, Canada, Japan, Australia). Mattilsynet treats Great Britain as non-listed, so the UK is not in this group. | No | — | No | Only if rules not met |
| From all other countries (incl. UK)All countries outside the EEA not on the listed list. Mattilsynet explicitly includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland here. | Yes | 3 months | No | Only if rules not met |
Step by step
Microchip, then vaccinate
ISO 11784 chip (HDX or FDX-B) before the rabies vaccine; vaccinate at 12 weeks or older and wait 21 days.
Get an EU pet passport
The EU-model passport is the only accepted document; no other vaccination card can replace it.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet (not the owner) must give praziquantel/epsiprantel 24-120 hours before entering Norway and record it in the passport/certificate. Regular travellers may use a 28-day schedule (at least two treatments 28 days apart before entry). Not needed directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
Use the red customs channel
Always declare pets in the red channel on arrival. Only travellers arriving by road directly from Sweden with papers in order may use the green channel.
If rules are not met the pet may be returned or placed in quarantine at owner's cost.
Microchip and passport
Pet needs a microchip and pet passport with owner and identification details.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet (not the owner) must give praziquantel/epsiprantel 24-120 hours before entering Norway and record it in the passport/certificate. Regular travellers may use a 28-day schedule (at least two treatments 28 days apart before entry). Not needed directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
Green channel by road
Arriving by road directly from Sweden with papers in order you may use the green channel; arriving by air use the red channel.
If rules are not met the pet may be returned or placed in quarantine at owner's cost.
Microchip, then vaccinate
Chip before rabies vaccine; vaccinate at 12 weeks or older and wait 21 days.
Pet passport or health certificate
A pet passport from the listed country can replace the EU animal health certificate. No titer test needed.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet (not the owner) must give praziquantel/epsiprantel 24-120 hours before entering Norway and record it in the passport/certificate. Regular travellers may use a 28-day schedule (at least two treatments 28 days apart before entry). Not needed directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
Enter at any border
No advance notice to Mattilsynet needed, but be ready to show pets and papers; declare in the red channel.
If rules are not met the pet may be returned or placed in quarantine at owner's cost.
Microchip, then vaccinate
Chip before the rabies vaccine; vaccinate at 12 weeks or older and wait 21 days.
Get an EU animal health certificate
An official vet completes the EU-format health certificate within 10 days before arrival, including the tapeworm treatment for dogs. No titer test is needed from listed countries.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet (not the owner) must give praziquantel/epsiprantel 24-120 hours before entering Norway and record it in the passport/certificate. Regular travellers may use a 28-day schedule (at least two treatments 28 days apart before entry). Not needed directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
Check the entry point with Mattilsynet
Mattilsynet names Oslo Gardermoen and Storskog as entry points for third countries; confirm with Mattilsynet whether this also applies to pets from listed countries. Declare pets in the red channel.
If rules are not met the pet may be returned or placed in quarantine at owner's cost.
Microchip, then vaccinate
Chip before rabies vaccine; vaccinate at 12 weeks or older.
Rabies titer test
Blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before arrival; result >=0.5 IU/ml at an approved lab.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet (not the owner) must give praziquantel/epsiprantel 24-120 hours before entering Norway and record it in the passport/certificate. Regular travellers may use a 28-day schedule (at least two treatments 28 days apart before entry). Not needed directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland.
Get an EU animal health certificate
Official vet completes the EU-format health certificate, including the tapeworm treatment.
Notify Mattilsynet 48 hours ahead
Contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority at least 48 hours before arrival and present the pet for inspection.
Arrive at Oslo Gardermoen or Storskog
These are the only permitted entry points (for Svalbard also Tromso airport/port and Bodo port). Declare in the red channel.
If rules are not met the pet may be returned or placed in quarantine at owner's cost.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same as dogs, except cats need no tapeworm treatment.
- Banned breeds
- Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Crosses of any of these
- How many pets
- Max 5 dogs/cats/ferrets per non-commercial trip; more only for registered competitions/shows with pets over 6 months.
- Parasite treatment
- Dogs (including puppies): Echinococcus tapeworm treatment by a vet 24-120 h before entry, or a 28-day regular-treatment schedule for frequent travellers. Exempt only when coming from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland. Required even for day trips from Sweden. None for cats.
- Arrival
- From EU/EEA and listed countries: any border, red customs channel (green only by road from Sweden). From non-listed countries: only Oslo Airport Gardermoen or Storskog (Kirkenes), with 48 h notice to Mattilsynet.
- Banned breeds need a special police permit to import; otherwise police may order the dog euthanised or sent out of Norway.
- Dogs must be leashed nationwide 1 April - 20 August (some municipalities longer).
- Former stray dogs and cats face stricter requirements - check with Mattilsynet.
- Svalbard has its own rules.
What we could not confirm
- Mattilsynet's third-country page still cites Regulation 577/2013 and lists only European microstates as 'listed'; it says GB is non-listed (titer + Gardermoen/Storskog). Whether Norway has updated to the EU 2026 rules (Reg. 2026/636 lists, incl. UK and e.g. USA as listed) is unconfirmed - check with Mattilsynet before travel.
- Health certificate 10-day validity assumed from EU rules; not stated on Mattilsynet page.
- Whether the tapeworm exemption requires travelling directly from FI/IE/MT/NI is not stated.
- Mattilsynet says pets from countries listed in Annex II of Reg. 577/2013 need no titer test. We use the EU's current (2026) listed-country list for that group; the two lists differ slightly (e.g. Russia and Belarus were listed before). Mattilsynet does not say whether listed-country pets must also use Gardermoen or Storskog.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) before booking.