Traveling with Animals
Anyone traveling with animals or planning to buy or sell an animal must observe a range of regulations in Austria. Whether dog, cat, horse, or livestock – each species is subject to its own requirements regarding transport, registration, and documentation. At the same time, many pet owners wonder how to move their four-legged companions safely and stress-free through Austria, whether as part of a vacation, a move, or transport to a new owner.
To ensure animal welfare, legal certainty, and a smooth journey, it is important to find out about Austrian regulations in advance. This includes the required documents, transport requirements, reporting obligations, and possible restrictions. Good preparation not only ensures a relaxed process but also protects against unpleasant surprises on the road or at the border.
Entry with pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets…)
The most important documents and regulations
Identification: The animal must be clearly identified either by a microchip or a tattoo.
Vaccination: A valid rabies vaccination is required, and it is only valid 21 days after the initial immunization. In addition, please note that the animal must be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated.
EU pet passport: The EU pet passport must be carried for the respective animal.
Minimum age: Due to the waiting period after the rabies vaccination, puppies can only enter the country at the earliest at 15 weeks of age.
Entry from third countries: An animal health certificate may be required in addition to the passport and rabies vaccination.
Maximum number: A maximum of 5 animals may enter with you. Important: These animals must not be intended to change ownership. However, if they are brought along for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions, or sporting events, or for training for such events, this number may be exceeded. In this case, the animals must be at least 6 months old, and written proof must be provided that they are registered for one of the aforementioned events.
Species protection: If you wish to bring animals that fall under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), additional documents may be required.
Means of transport: Before starting your journey, find out about the specific rules for your pets with the respective means of transport.
Rules during your stay
Swimming lakes: Especially during the swimming season, dogs are often only allowed at certain times or in designated areas in heavily frequented areas. Please pay attention to local rules.
Muzzle or leash requirement and poop bags: Many regions often have a leash requirement. In addition, you must carry poop bags. In some municipalities or on public transport, a muzzle requirement applies in addition to the leash requirement.
Traffic safety: While driving, you are required to secure your animal with a special travel carrier or a safety harness.
Accommodation: Before starting your trip, you should find out which accommodations allow animals and whether there are any related restrictions or additional costs.
Entry with horses
The most important documents and regulations
Health certificate: In accordance with Directive 90/424, a health certificate must be issued for the animal by the German official veterinarian.
Vaccination certificate: A valid vaccination certificate must be carried. In addition, horses born in 1998 require an equine passport.
Notification to the Austrian official veterinarian: A notification must be sent by the German official veterinarian to the Austrian official veterinarian responsible for the destination.
Transit of horses
Health certificate: In accordance with Directive 90/424, a health certificate must be issued for the animal by the German official veterinarian.
Vaccination certificate: A valid vaccination certificate must be carried. In addition, horses born in 1998 require an equine passport.
Animo notification: This is the notification from the German official veterinarian to the Austrian official veterinarian responsible for the area where the border crossing takes place.
Notification to the Central Veterinary Authority: This is the notification from the German official veterinarian to the Central Authority: Veterinary Administration (A-1030 Vienna, Radetzkystr. 2)
Vignette for the (horse) trailer?
Trailers are not subject to the vignette requirement in Austria.
However, the weight of your towing vehicle, such as a car, is decisive. As a car driver, you need a vignette for your vehicle and do not need to pay a distance-based toll. This applies as long as your car does not weigh more than 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. If your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the vignette requirement no longer applies, and you must purchase a GO-Box for the collection of the distance-based toll. This GO-Box must remain activated even on toll-free (vignette-free/non-distance-based) routes. If you have any questions on the topic of tolls in Austria, feel free to check our guide.
Staying with a horse
Austria offers numerous opportunities to enjoy a relaxing or sporty, active break together with your horse. The combination of idyllic nature, well-developed riding trails, and specialized accommodations makes Austria a popular destination for equestrian holidays.
To make your holiday with your horse run smoothly, it's worth organizing a few things well in advance. First, you should clarify what the housing for the horse will look like: whether a box stall, open stable, or paddock is available, what feed is offered, and whether sufficient pasture access is possible. A secure tack room or a wash area can also be important – depending on how intensively you plan to ride.
Equally important: documents and health certificates. The equine passport must always be carried, and it makes sense to find out in advance whether the accommodation requires certain vaccinations or preventive care.
Before your trip, you should also think through your transport planning. This includes sufficient breaks for the horse, a route with as little stress as possible, and checking the trailer before departure. A look at toll and route regulations is also helpful. Through our service, you can easily and stress-free purchase the digital vignette for Austria online – ideal if you're traveling with a horse trailer or van.
On site, it's good to know where to find vets, farriers, or emergency contacts. You should also familiarize yourself beforehand with the local riding rules, nature reserves, and permitted riding trails so there are no surprises.
In short: good preparation, suitable accommodation, and observing regional regulations ensure that both rider and horse get through the holiday relaxed and safely.
Toll
If you plan to travel to Austria, you must observe the toll regulations. In general: vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight are subject to the vignette requirement, while vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight must pay a distance-based toll. The amount of the distance-based toll depends, among other things, on the length of the route driven. To record the distance driven (distance-based toll), you must purchase a GO-Box. Independent of the vignette requirement and the distance-based toll, Austria also has route tolls for special toll routes. Further information on toll regulations in Austria and vehicle classes can be found in our guide.
Selling animals
Since the legal situation in Austria has changed significantly due to illegal animal trade conducted under terrible conditions, there are new and stricter rules that affect not only sellers but also buyers. Please note that legal regulations may change. If in doubt, please also seek information from the relevant authorities or a lawyer.
Due to online trade, the problem of illegal animal trade has spread even further. The animals are kept under undignified conditions and are often too young, not chipped, not dewormed, unvaccinated, and therefore often sick. In 2017, the Animal Welfare Act was finally amended and the sale of animals online was newly regulated. This gives the authorities the opportunity to better control abuses and take action against them. Since then, persons or organizations (e.g., animal welfare associations) require official "authorization to keep animals" or a breeding notification in order to publicly offer animals. However, there are also exceptions for the placement of individual, specifically determined animals by private individuals.
With the new amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, further measures against illegal puppy trade have been introduced. We will now explain what this means for you:
The acquisition of animals that are obviously offered illegally (e.g., from a car trunk or in public places) is now also punishable. This means: not only sellers, but also buyers will be fined, as they also support animal suffering.
Who is allowed to offer animals for sale?
The following persons and organizations are allowed to publicly offer animals (for sale or as a gift):
Private individuals: Private individuals seeking interested parties for individual, specifically determined animals. However, the following conditions must be met: 1. The animal may not or cannot remain with its previous keepers. 2. The animal must be older than 6 months – in dogs and cats, the permanent canine teeth must already be developed. 3. Dogs must be verifiably registered in the pet database for at least 16 weeks.
Organizations and persons operating commercially: Organizations that are commercially or otherwise economically active and have authorization for keeping their animals. These include, for example, animal welfare associations, pet shops, and animal shelters.
Keepers of farm animals: This includes: horses and equines, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, cloven-hoofed game, llamas, rabbits, domestic poultry, ostriches, and farmed fish.
Officially registered breeders
Breeders exempt from official registration: Breeders who are exempt from official registration and do not sell regularly or for profit. Affected animals include: ornamental fish, domesticated ornamental birds, domesticated poultry, small rodents, and rabbits.
These are the things you should pay attention to if you bring animals to Austria to sell them there.
Buying animals
As everywhere else, when buying an animal in Austria it is crucial to inform yourself thoroughly in advance and think the decision through carefully. Pay very close attention to the animal's origin, its state of health, and of course compliance with legal requirements such as vaccinations and microchipping. In addition, buying an animal should be carefully considered in terms of the responsibility and costs of keeping and caring for it. Animals cannot choose where they end up, and it is your duty as the new keeper to offer the animal the best possible life.
Before the purchase
Take on responsibility: Before buying an animal, consider the responsibility involved. A pet is a long-term commitment and is under your protection.
Costs: Not only the purchase price and acquisition costs must be considered. The ongoing costs for food, veterinary care, insurance, and other expenses can be higher than you expect.
Choose the right species: Each species has individual needs, and you must find out beforehand about the time commitment, space requirements, and care needed for the animal.
Avoid pity purchases: Even though it may be hard, buying out of pity unfortunately only makes mass breeding worse.
Observe legal regulations: In addition to the Animal Welfare Act, you should also find out about special regulations or the ban on torture breeding.
When buying
Find reputable sellers: You should only buy animals from animal shelters, reputable breeders, or registered dealers. You should definitely avoid disreputable sellers, especially those found online.
Health condition of the animals: Take a very close look at the outward appearance. Be cautious of signs of illness such as watery eyes or a runny nose. The housing conditions can also provide important clues. Is it clean, hygienic, and species-appropriate, or dirty?
Documents: Make sure all necessary documents are present. These include a written purchase contract, a pet passport (containing proof of vaccinations and microchip), and a veterinary certificate (proof of regular deworming and initial vaccination).
The mother animal: Is it possible to see the mother animal? A reputable breeder will accommodate this request. Also pay attention to the outward appearance of the mother animal.
Origin: If the animals come from abroad, you should be especially cautious. Breeders often source these from terrible mass breeding operations, and the animals could be sick. It's best to report the breeder in such cases.
Seller's behavior: Does the seller ask many questions? A reputable breeder will ask you many questions to ensure that the animal goes to good and capable hands. They will also be available for further questions even after you have already purchased the animal.
What penalties exist for illegal animal trade?
In Austria, illegal trade in animals – especially dogs and cats – is strictly prosecuted. This applies to both sellers and buyers. The aim is to prevent animal suffering and stop disreputable dealers.
Anyone who sells or buys an animal that is offered without legally required documents, too young, unidentified, or under impermissible conditions must expect substantial fines. The amount of the fine depends on the severity of the violation, the number of animals affected, whether it is a repeat offense, and the risk to animal welfare. Fines range roughly from 3,500 to 7,500 euros.
If there is suspicion that the animal was illegally imported, traded, or sold, it can be seized by the authorities, examined by a veterinarian, and placed in a suitable facility.
In particularly severe cases – for example, if animals were deliberately neglected, tormented, or transported under life-threatening conditions – criminal proceedings may additionally be initiated, which can result in further sanctions, conditions, or reports.
In cases of serious or repeated violations, authorities can: prohibit the keeping of animals, revoke trade licenses, or mandate compulsory inspection of future animal transports.
Illegal animal trade is strictly punished in Austria. Not only sellers but also buyers can be penalized if they knowingly or negligently acquire animals from illegal sources. These measures are intended to:
prevent animal suffering
stop disreputable dealers
minimize health risks
strengthen legal, transparent animal trade
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you and your animals a pleasant journey to Austria. Don't forget to find out about the country's toll regulations. Further information on tolls can be found in our guide. If you would like information about border crossings or vehicle classes in Austria, feel free to check our guide as well. You are also welcome to use our route planner to better plan your journey and see the corresponding toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us via our email.
