Anyone travelling with animals or planning to buy or sell an animal in the Czech Republic must comply with a number of regulations. Whether it is a dog, cat, horse or livestock, each animal category has its own requirements regarding transport, registration and documentation. At the same time, many pet owners ask themselves how they can move their four-legged companions safely and stress-free through the Czech Republic—whether on holiday, during a relocation, or when transporting an animal to a new owner.

To ensure animal welfare, legal certainty and a smooth journey, it is important to familiarise yourself in advance with the Czech regulations. This includes, in particular, the required travel documents, vaccination requirements, transport rules as well as possible reporting obligations and restrictions. Good preparation not only ensures a relaxed trip, but also protects you from unpleasant surprises on the road or at the border.

The Czech Republic follows the EU-wide rules for travelling with pets, supplemented by national requirements for example regarding the registration of dogs, animal welfare checks and the buying and selling of animals. If you are familiar with these rules, you can plan your journey safely and also ensure that transport and keeping of animals meet the applicable animal welfare standards.

Entering the Czech Republic with pets (dogs, cats and ferrets…)

Key documents and requirements

For entry into the Czech Republic, the EU standard rules for pets generally apply. The animal must be clearly identified by microchip (an old tattoo is only recognised if it was correctly recorded before the microchip cut-off date). In addition, a valid rabies vaccination is mandatory. The first vaccination may be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age and is only considered valid for travel 21 days after the primary vaccination. You must carry an EU pet passport documenting the microchip number, owner details and vaccinations. These requirements are applied in the same way by the Czech authorities.

Rules during your stay

• Swimming lakes: Especially during the bathing season, dogs are often only allowed in heavily frequented areas at certain times or in designated sections. Please pay attention to local rules.
• Muzzle/leash rules and waste bags: Many cities have leash requirements. In nature, dogs can generally run free, but they must be under control and must not show aggressive behaviour. A muzzle is rarely required by law, but it is mandatory on public transport—especially in Prague (bus, train, tram, metro).
• Road safety: While driving, you are obliged to secure your animal using a special travel crate or a safety harness.
• Accommodation: Before travelling, you should check which accommodations allow animals and whether there are any restrictions or additional fees.

Entering the Czech Republic with horses

Key documents and requirements

• Equine passport: A valid horse passport (equine passport) is mandatory for every horse. The animal must be clearly identifiable via microchip.
• Health documents: For private travel within the EU, including to the Czech Republic, no additional official veterinary health certificate is generally required. However, organisers of competitions or breeding events may require their own health documentation.
• Vaccinations: A rabies vaccination is not required for entry into the Czech Republic. However, many sport and leisure events require a valid influenza vaccination (equine influenza).
• Transport: Transport must comply with EU animal welfare transport regulations. For private, non-commercial journeys, no additional written declaration is required. For commercial transport, more extensive documentation and permit obligations apply.
• Preparation: Check in advance with your competent veterinary authority or with the Czech organiser whether special requirements, vaccinations or health documents are necessary for your purpose (e.g. competitions, long-term stays).

Vignette for the (horse) trailer?

There is no difference whether you travel with or without a trailer. You only need a vignette for your passenger car. However, your towing vehicle must not exceed 3.5 t GVW—otherwise the vignette requirement does not apply and you must pay a distance-based toll. You can find further information about the LINK vehicle classes in our guide.

Staying with a horse

The Czech Republic is a very horse-friendly travel destination. Many regions—such as South Bohemia, Šumava/Bohemian Forest, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains or the Beskids—offer long forest and field trails, little traffic and many riding stables. The tourist infrastructure is good; you can find guided trail rides as well as relaxed day rides, especially from spring to autumn. If you travel with your own horse, you should check stable conditions and the necessary health/transport documents in advance to ensure everything runs smoothly on site.

Toll

Due to the vignette requirement, toll fees are charged that are not calculated per kilometre, but as a flat rate that varies depending on the travel period. Accordingly, you purchase a digital vignette before your trip and choose between different validity periods. Depending on the vehicle class, the price of the vignette may vary. Vehicle classes in the Czech Republic are distinguished based on the vehicle’s fuel type.

When purchasing the vignette, you make a one-time payment that allows you to use all toll roads (excluding special toll roads). The vignette requirement in the Czech Republic applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW. However, there are exceptions. Motorcycles do not require a vignette in the Czech Republic, meaning you do not need to purchase a vignette to use the road network in the Czech Republic.

The distance-based toll applies in the Czech Republic to vehicles over 3.5 t GVW (trucks, buses, motorhomes). Unlike the vignette, the distance-based toll is not a flat rate; it varies according to road category, route length (number of kilometres), vehicle category (weight class and number of axles), CO2 emission class and time of day (partly higher prices between 22:00 and 05:00). Therefore, the amount of the toll can vary greatly. The distance-based toll is collected using a transponder (on-board unit).

There are no special toll roads in the Czech Republic. You can read more about tolls in our guide.

Buying animals in the Czech Republic

Anyone wishing to buy an animal in the Czech Republic should familiarise themselves with the applicable animal welfare and health regulations. Although, as an EU member state, the Czech Republic applies the same basic rules as other EU countries, there are some important points to help identify reputable providers and avoid problems when crossing borders later.

Important documents and health requirements

• Microchip: Dogs must be microchipped in the Czech Republic. The microchip must be linked to the health documents.
• Health papers: Buyers should ask to see the vaccination status (especially rabies vaccination) as well as the health record. For travel within the EU, an EU pet passport is required.
• Minimum age: Puppies must not be handed over before 8 weeks. Reputable breeders often wait until 10–12 weeks.
• Proof of origin: When buying, it should be possible to see the mother animal, as well as information on origin and upbringing.

Special notes

• Breed-specific rules: Some cities, especially Prague, may impose additional requirements for certain breeds, such as leash or muzzle obligations.
• EU travel: For later leaving the Czech Republic, a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport are mandatory.
• Beware of dubious offers: Buyers should avoid offers where origin, age or health status are unclear.

Selling animals in the Czech Republic

When selling or rehoming an animal, certain legal requirements must also be met in the Czech Republic. These rules are intended to ensure that animals are healthy, correctly identified and kept in an animal-friendly manner.

Obligations for sellers

• Microchip and registration: Dogs must be microchipped and registered in an official register. This is usually done by a veterinarian.
• Health condition: Animals may only be handed over if they are in good health and fit for transport.
• Minimum age: Handing over an animal before 8 weeks is not legally permitted.
• Documents: Proof of vaccination, health record and—if available—the EU pet passport must be correctly completed.

Purchase contract (recommended, even for private sales)

A short written contract makes it easier to provide proof of origin and ownership later. Recommended contents:

• Buyer and seller details
• Animal details (species, breed/mix, colour, date of birth, microchip number)
• Price, date and place of handover
• Confirmation that the animal is not stolen and that its origin is known

Commercial trade

• Permits: Anyone who sells or transports animals commercially needs the relevant registrations and permits under EU transport law.
• Animal welfare standards: Transport and keeping must comply with EU regulations.

Penalties for illegal animal trading in the Czech Republic

The Czech veterinary authority (SVS) regularly inspects breeding facilities and animal sales. Violations of animal welfare, identification or transport regulations can have serious consequences.

• Selling dogs without a microchip: fines
• Handing over puppies under 8 weeks: administrative offence
• Poor keeping conditions or sick animals: fine or removal of the animal
• Commercial trade without permits: high penalties + possible confiscation of the animals

Checklist: Buying/selling animals in the Czech Republic

1. Basic rules

• Animals must not be abused, neglected or abandoned (Animal Welfare Act).
• Owners must provide food, water, a safe place, exercise and veterinary care. If an animal appears sick/underfed or the keeping conditions are obviously poor: stay away / report if necessary.
• Selling on the street or in public places is not permitted (e.g. avoid “car boot sales” of dogs/cats).

2. Mandatory identification & registration (dog)

• All dogs in the Czech Republic must be microchipped (mandatory since 2020, at the latest from 6 months). A dog without a microchip is legally considered not properly vaccinated against rabies.
• For travel within the EU, an EU pet passport with the microchip number entered and a valid rabies vaccination is mandatory.
• After microchipping, the dog should be registered in a database (e.g. Czech microchip registers). Important: the microchip alone is not enough—the chip must be linked to the owner.
• In addition, dogs must be registered with the responsible municipality (dog tax / registration); you usually receive a dog tag there.
• When buying, be sure to request:
  • Microchip number (sticker or entry in the pet passport / vaccination card)
  • Proof that the microchip is registered (e.g. printout/screenshot from the register)
  • Valid rabies vaccination and veterinary vaccination record/pet passport
• When selling: together with the new owner:
  • Arrange the change of owner details in the microchip register
  • Deregister or re-register the dog with the municipality (dog tax)
  • Hand over the vaccination record/pet passport completely and correctly

What penalties apply for illegal animal trading?

In the Czech Republic, “illegal animal trading” is sanctioned under several areas of law—primarily the Czech Animal Welfare Act (Zákon na ochranu zvířat proti týrání), animal disease and health regulations, as well as municipal rules on the identification and registration of dogs.

Selling or handing over dogs without a microchip or with missing/insufficient documentation (e.g. missing or invalid rabies vaccination, missing EU pet passport, missing registration of the microchip number) constitutes an administrative offence. Depending on the violation, fines ranging from several thousand up to 50,000 CZK may be imposed; in cases of commercial or repeated offences, even more.

If additional violations occur—such as inadequate care, poor or health-endangering keeping conditions, overcrowded breeding operations, lack of veterinary care or transport violations—the Animal Welfare Act applies. Significantly higher fines may be imposed and, in severe cases, a ban on keeping or breeding animals may also be issued.

In summary: missing identification/registration, incomplete papers, unvaccinated animals or animals kept under conditions that do not meet animal welfare standards are clearly considered an administrative offence in the Czech Republic—or, in severe cases, an animal welfare violation—and are sanctioned accordingly.

The DMC team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you and your animals a pleasant journey to the Czech Republic. Do not forget to inform yourself about the country’s toll regulations. You can find more information about tolls in our guide. If you would like to learn more about general travel information or about traffic rules in the Czech Republic, feel free to take a look at our guide as well.

You can also use our route planner to plan your trip more easily and to display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we will be happy to help. Contact us via email.