PetTravelPass

Bringing a dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland

Under Switzerland's rules, pets from the United Arab Emirates are in the group “From low-risk third countries”. A dog from the United Arab Emirates needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.

About Switzerland: Switzerland applies EU pet rules, so travel from the EU needs only a microchip, rabies vaccine and pet passport. From rabies-risk countries pets need a titer test, a 3-month wait, must be at least 7 months old, and need a BLV permit if arriving by air. Dogs with cropped ears or tails are banned.

From low-risk third countries Paperwork only

Titer test
Not required
Wait after blood test
—
Import permit
Not required
Quarantine
None if rules are met

No long wait: Rabies vaccine effective 21 days after the primary vaccination.

Step by step

  1. Microchip, then vaccinate

    Microchip before the rabies vaccine; first vaccination from 12 weeks of age, effective 21 days later.

  2. Get the veterinary certificate

    Unless the pet already has a valid Swiss/EU passport showing it meets Swiss requirements, bring an EU-model (Reg. 2026/705) health certificate issued by the exporting country's authority. No titer test needed.

  3. Check for cropped ears or tails

    Dogs with cropped ears and/or docked tails may not be imported into Switzerland.

  4. Present at the red customs channel

    Entry control is mandatory: present the pet and documents at the red exit, via an approved entry point (Basel, Geneva or Zurich airports for accompanied pets).

Animals with missing documents can be refused entry at the mandatory check, or returned/isolated at owner's cost.

Good to know

Cats
Same as dogs. Cropped-ear/tail ban applies to dogs.
How many pets
Max 5 dogs/cats/ferrets per private vehicle; more only for shows/competitions with pets at least 6 months old and registered (third-country animals then also need a BLV permit).
Parasite treatment
None required for entry to Switzerland.
Arrival
Approved entry points only (not every border crossing accepts animals). Air: accompanied (cabin/baggage) via Basel, Geneva or Zurich; unaccompanied cargo via Geneva or Zurich. Entry through an unmanned crossing is illegal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland?

The United Arab Emirates counts as "From low-risk third countries" for Switzerland. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Rabies vaccine effective 21 days after the primary vaccination. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.

Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland?

No. Pets from the United Arab Emirates do not need a titer test for Switzerland if the other rules are met.

Will my pet be quarantined in Switzerland?

Not if every rule is met. Animals with missing documents can be refused entry at the mandatory check, or returned/isolated at owner's cost.

Do I need an import permit?

No import permit is needed for pets from the United Arab Emirates.

Are the rules the same for cats?

Same as dogs. Cropped-ear/tail ban applies to dogs.

Sources

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Switzerland pet import rules.

More destinations from the United Arab Emirates

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