Traveling with Animals, Buying and Selling Animals

Anyone traveling through Slovakia with a dog, cat, or horse, or planning to buy or sell an animal, should be aware of a few rules. Since Slovakia is an EU and Schengen member, entering with animals from other EU countries is generally straightforward. However, stricter requirements apply when crossing the border with Ukraine (the country's only non-EU border).

Entry with Pets (Dogs, Cats, Ferrets)

• Identification: Microchipping is mandatory (a tattoo is only sufficient if applied before July 3, 2011)

• EU pet passport: must be carried and fully completed

• Rabies vaccination: must be valid, with the initial vaccination at least 21 days before entry

• Puppies under 12 weeks without a rabies vaccination, or 12–16 weeks with incomplete vaccination protection, may still be allowed to enter under certain conditions

• Maximum number: up to 5 animals per person (more only with proof for an exhibition/competition)

• Special case at the Ukrainian border: since it is not an EU border, a rabies antibody test may additionally be required – it is essential to clarify the border crossing with the Slovak Veterinary Office (ŠVPS) in advance

• Observe species protection (CITES) regulations for exotic animals

Rules During Your Stay

• Leash and muzzle requirements vary by region; many municipalities require leashes in town centers and by lakes

• Securing animals in the car (crate or seatbelt) is mandatory

• Check pet-friendly accommodations in advance, as options are often limited, especially in the High Tatras

Toll

Using motorways and expressways in Slovakia requires a digital vignette, regardless of whether an animal is traveling with you. It applies to cars, motorhomes, and vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight and is sold exclusively digitally – a sticker vignette is no longer required. Motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement. Vehicles over 3.5 t GVW instead pay a distance-based toll via an on-board unit rather than the vignette.

For a horse trailer, the classification is based on the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer: if it stays under 3.5 t, the regular vignette for the towing vehicle is sufficient; if the 3.5 t limit is exceeded, the trailer needs its own vignette matching the vehicle, or it falls under the distance-based toll.

If you're traveling with your animal beyond Slovakia, for example onward to Austria or the Czech Republic, it's worth checking our route planner in advance: it shows you directly which vignettes you need for your specific route, instead of looking up each country individually.

Entry with Horses

Anyone traveling through Slovakia with a horse or attending a tournament there must also observe certain formalities – from the documents required to transport regulations and customs rules when crossing the border.

Documents and Transport

• A horse passport must be carried at all times

• For travel within the EU, the horse passport is generally sufficient; a separate health certificate is only additionally required for certain occasions (e.g. tournament participation)

• Transport must be gentle, well-ventilated, and non-slip (requirements under the EU Animal Welfare Transport Regulation)

Customs Regulations

Since Slovakia is an EU member, standard customs procedures do not apply when crossing the border from other EU countries. Only when entering from a non-EU country (e.g. via the Ukrainian border) are an official veterinary health certificate and, where applicable, a TRACES notification required – it is essential to check with the veterinary office beforehand in this case.

Selling and Buying Animals

The trade in animals in Slovakia is governed by the Act on Veterinary Care (Zákon č. 39/2007 Z. z.) as well as the Trestný zákon (Criminal Code).

Private or Commercial?

Anyone who regularly breeds or sells animals with the intention of making a profit must register their operation with the State Veterinary and Food Administration (ŠVPS). A single private sale (e.g. a litter of puppies) generally does not fall under this requirement, but should nevertheless be conducted with complete documentation (chip, vaccination record).

Penalties for Illegal Animal Trade

• Animal cruelty (§ 305a Trestný zákon, since the 2020 amendment): imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years

• Aggravating circumstances (§ 305b, e.g. multiple animals, public commission, particularly severe conduct, or a legally specially protected animal): imprisonment from 1 to 5 years, in extreme cases 5 to 8 years

• Violations of the registration requirement under the Veterinary Act can additionally result in fines

FAQ on Traveling with Animals

Can I drive through Slovakia to the ski resorts of the High Tatras with my dog without any problems?

Yes, with a valid EU pet passport, microchip, and rabies vaccination, this is straightforward.

Do I need an ATA Carnet for my horse when attending a tournament in Slovakia?

No, as long as the horse comes from an EU country – a carnet is only relevant for entry from non-EU countries.

Is the regular vignette also sufficient for my horse trailer?

Only if the towing vehicle plus trailer together stay under 3.5 t; otherwise the trailer needs its own.