Traveling, Buying and Selling Animals Romania

Anyone traveling with animals or planning to buy or sell an animal must observe a number of regulations in Romania. Whether it's a dog, cat, horse, or livestock, each type of animal has its own requirements for transport, registration, and documentation. At the same time, many pet owners wonder how they can move their four-legged friends safely and stress-free through Romania, 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 inform yourself in advance about the Romanian regulations. These include, for example, 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 with a microchip.

• Vaccination: A valid rabies vaccination is required and 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. It must contain all the animal's and owner's data as well as vaccination records.

• Means of transport: Before starting your journey, find out about the specific rules for your pets with your chosen means of transport.

Rules during your stay

• Swimming lakes: Especially during the swimming season, dogs are often only allowed in heavily frequented areas at certain times or in designated zones. Be sure to observe local rules.

• Muzzle or leash requirements and poop bags: Many cities often have a leash requirement. Outside of cities, there is usually no leash or muzzle requirement, but you should not leave your animal unsupervised.

• Road safety: While driving, you are required to secure your animal with a special travel crate 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 documents: An official veterinary health certificate must be carried for transport abroad.

• Horse passport (equine passport): A valid horse passport must be carried.

• Vaccinations: A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory.

• Transport: The accompanying person must carry a written declaration stating that the transport is not for the purpose of sale or change of ownership.

• Contact: You should contact the responsible veterinary authority in your home country beforehand regarding the exact regulations and any further steps that may be required, especially when transporting animals to sporting or leisure events. There, animals come into contact with each other, and you should proactively pay attention to safety precautions.

Vignette for the (horse) trailer?

If you want to travel to Romania with your car and an accompanying trailer, you only need a digital vignette for your car, regardless of the total weight, and not one for your trailer. You can find more information on vehicle classes in our guide.

Staying with a horse

Romania is considered a real insider tip among riders. Especially in Transylvania and along the Carpathians, you'll find extensive riding areas with forests, meadows, hills, and little traffic – ideal for long rides or multi-day trail rides. Many regions are still very rural, and horses are a natural part of everyday life there. As a result, riding holidays often feel authentic and unhurried: you ride through small villages, past pastures and old fortified churches, experiencing a landscape that in parts still feels "like the old days."

The infrastructure for equestrian tourism has also grown in recent years – there are now several well-organized riding stables and providers offering rides for various levels (from relaxed day rides to sporty trails with plenty of trotting/cantering). Most tours run during the warm season from about May to October, when trails and weather are most stable.

It's important to plan realistically: some rides require solid basic fitness and confident riding on the trail, as the terrain can be rougher depending on the route. And if you're planning to bring your own horse, it's worth taking a close look beforehand at the health and entry requirements as well as local animal welfare standards. With a good, reputable provider, however, Romania offers a wonderful mix of adventure, nature, and horse time.

Tolls in Romania

An electronic vignette is generally required to drive on Romanian national roads with a motor vehicle. Motorcycles are exempt from this requirement. Motorhomes are tolled like cars regardless of their GVW (gross vehicle weight). A total of eight vehicle classes (categories A-H) are distinguished. You can find more information on toll regulations in Romania and vehicle classes in our guide.

Buying/selling animals

In Romania, the handling of animals is primarily regulated by the Animal Protection Act Legea 205/2004. It prohibits mistreatment, neglect, and abandonment, and obliges owners to provide food, water, shelter, medical care, and species-appropriate housing. When it comes to trade, this means: animals may only be transported or handed over in a healthy condition, with adequate care, and without suffering; violations can be criminally relevant.

Dogs must generally be chipped and registered in the national register RECS (Registrul de Evidență a Câinilor cu Stăpân). The chip alone is not sufficient. Registration is mandatory and is carried out by the veterinarian. When buying a dog, you should ask to see the chip number + RECS proof as well as the correctly completed health passport/Carnet de sănătate. Without these documents, there may be later problems with ownership, resale, or departure.

Important regarding age: Puppies/kittens may not be separated from their mother and sold before 8 weeks of age. Reputable breeders adhere to this. An earlier offer is a genuine warning sign of illegal or poor trading practices.

Additional rules apply to certain "dangerous"/aggressive dog breeds (e.g., mandatory sterilization and special keeping requirements). If such a dog is sold, the sterilization must be confirmed in the vaccination passport.

EU rules apply to transport and (cross-border) trade: dogs, cats, and ferrets require a microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and EU pet passport when traveling within/from the EU. Anyone transporting animals commercially also needs veterinary approvals and must comply with animal welfare transport standards.

In addition, the rules for breeding/selling (including online) are being significantly tightened EU-wide, including mandatory identification, registration of breeders/dealers, and improved traceability. This was decided at the EU level in 2025, and specific implementation is gradually starting in the member states. For Romania, this means stricter controls can be expected in the coming years, especially for online offers.

Checklist: Buying/selling animals in Romania

1. Basic rules

• Animals must not be mistreated, neglected, or abandoned.

• Owners must ensure food, water, a safe place, exercise, and veterinary care. If an animal appears sick/malnourished or is obviously being kept poorly: stay away / report it.

2. Mandatory identification & registration (dog)

• Every dog must be chipped.

• After chipping, the dog MUST be registered in the RECS register (done by the vet). When buying, be sure to ask for:

• Chip number (sticker in the health passport)

• RECS proof / entry

• Correctly completed Carnet de sănătate (health passport)

• When selling: make sure the chip + RECS entry are transferred to the new owner.

3. Age & handover

• Do not take over/buy puppies/kittens before 8 weeks of age. "Too young" offers are often illegal trade or poor breeding practices (risk to health/socialization).

4. "Dangerous"/aggressive breeds

Additional obligations apply to certain breeds (or crosses):

• Sterilization is mandatory; must be confirmed in the passport.

• Additional keeping/safety requirements (e.g., leash/muzzle in some situations).

5. Transport & departure / EU travel

If the animal is to leave Romania (e.g., to Germany):

• Microchip

• Valid rabies vaccination

• EU pet passport (Pet Passport) These EU requirements also apply in Romania.

Note: Rabies vaccination is only valid for travel 21 days after the first vaccination (EU standard).

For commercial transport/trade, additional veterinary approvals are required.

6. Purchase agreement (highly recommended)

Even for private sales: a short written agreement with:

• Buyer/seller details (ID number)

• Animal details: species, breed/mix, color, date of birth (or approx.), chip number

• Price, date, place of handover

• Assurance: the animal is not stolen / origin is known. This makes later disputes and border crossings much easier.

7. Red flags (warning signs)

• No chip / "chip coming later"

• No RECS entry (dog)

• Handover "quickly somewhere outside" (parking lot/highway, etc.)

• Animal seems too young, sick, apathetic

• Seller avoids questions about the mother animal/origin. Very high risk of illegal trade.

What penalties are there for illegal animal trade?

In Romania, "illegal animal trade" is sanctioned primarily through two areas of law: the Animal Protection Act Legea 205/2004 and OUG 155/2001 (among other things, regarding chip/registration requirements for dogs). If dogs are sold/handed over without a microchip or without an entry in the national register RECS, this is a regulatory offense under OUG 155/2001; fines of 2,000 to 5,000 lei can result. If additional violations occur, such as lack of basic care, poor keeping conditions, health concerns, or similar animal welfare violations related to breeding/sale/transport, the Contravenții from Legea 205/2004 apply, typically with fines of 1,000 to 3,000 lei.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you and your animals a pleasant journey to Romania. Don't forget to inform yourself about the country's toll regulations. You can find more information on tolls in our guide. If you would like to learn more about the general travel information or the traffic regulations in Romania, feel free to check out our guide. You are also welcome to use our route planner to better plan your trip and see the corresponding toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us via our email.