Traveling with animals
Anyone travelling with animals, or planning to buy or sell an animal, must comply with a number of regulations in Austria. Whether it's a dog, cat, horse or farm animal – each species is subject to its own requirements regarding transport, registration and documentation. At the same time, many pet owners wonder how they can move their four-legged friends safely and without stress through Austria, whether it's for a holiday, a move, or transport to a new owner.
To ensure animal welfare, legal certainty and a smooth journey, it's important to find out in advance about the Austrian regulations. This includes, 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.
Entering the country with pets (dogs, cats and ferrets…)
The most important documents and regulations
Identification: The animal must be clearly identified by either a microchip or a tattoo.
Vaccination: A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory and is only valid 21 days after the initial immunisation. It should also be noted 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 the age of 15 weeks.
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 the country with you. Important: These animals must not be intended to change ownership. However, if they are brought along for the purpose of taking part in competitions, exhibitions and 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 there must be written proof that they are registered for one of the aforementioned events.
Species protection: If you want 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
Bathing lakes: Especially during the bathing season, dogs are often only allowed in heavily frequented areas at certain times or in designated areas. Be sure to observe the local rules.
Muzzle or leash requirement and poop bags: In many regions there is often a leash requirement. In addition, you must carry poop bags. In some municipalities or on public transport, there is also a muzzle requirement in addition to the leash requirement.
Road safety: While driving, you are required to secure your animal with a special travel crate or a safety harness.
Accommodation: Before starting your journey, you should find out which accommodations allow animals and whether there are any related restrictions or additional costs.
Entering the country 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: The German official veterinarian must send a notification 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 Administration Authority: This is the notification from the German official veterinarian to the central authority: Veterinary Administration (A-1030 Vienna, Radetzkystr. 2)
Toll sticker for the (horse) trailer?
Trailers are not subject to the toll sticker requirement in Austria.
However, the weight of your towing vehicle, such as a car, is decisive. As a car driver, you need a toll sticker 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 toll sticker requirement no longer applies and you must purchase a GO-Box for the collection of the distance-based toll. This GO-Box must also remain activated on toll-free (sticker-free/non-distance-based) routes. If you have any questions on the subject of tolls in Austria, feel free to check our guide.
Staying with your 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 specialised accommodations makes Austria a popular destination for riding holidays.
To ensure your holiday with your horse runs smoothly, it's worth organising a few things well in advance. First, you should clarify what the horse's accommodation will look like: for example, whether a box stall, open stable or paddock is available, what feed is offered, and whether sufficient pasture time is possible. A secure tack room or a wash area can also be important – depending on how intensively you want to ride.
Equally important: documents and health certificates. The equine passport must always be carried, and it is advisable to find out in advance whether the accommodation requires certain vaccinations or preventive measures.
Before travelling, you should also think through your transport planning. This includes sufficient breaks for the horse, a route that is as low-stress as possible, and checking the trailer before setting off. A look at toll and route regulations is also helpful. Through our service, you can easily and stress-free purchase the digital toll sticker for Austria online – ideal if you're travelling with a horse trailer or van.
On site, it's good to know where to find a vet, farrier or emergency contacts. You should also familiarise 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 want 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 toll sticker 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 toll sticker requirement and the distance-based toll, there is also a route toll for special toll routes in Austria. Further information on toll regulations in Austria and vehicle classes can be found in our guide.
Selling animals
Because 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 get information from the relevant authorities or a lawyer.
Due to online trade, the problem of illegal animal trade has become even more widespread. The animals are kept under undignified conditions and are often too young, not chipped, not dewormed, unvaccinated and therefore often sick as well. 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 monitor abuses and take action against them. Since then, individuals or organisations (e.g. animal welfare associations) have needed official "permission to keep animals" or a breeding notification in order to publicly offer animals. However, there are also exceptions for the placement of individual, specifically identified animals by private individuals.
With the new amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, further measures against illegal puppy trade have been introduced. We'll now explain what this means for you:
The purchase of animals that are obviously offered illegally (e.g. from a car boot or in public places) is now also punishable. This means: not only sellers but also buyers will be fined, as they too are supporting animal suffering.
Who is allowed to offer animals for sale?
The following individuals and organisations are allowed to publicly offer animals (for sale or as a gift):
Private individuals: Private individuals looking for interested parties for individual, specifically identified animals. However, the following conditions must be met: 1. The animal may not or cannot remain with its previous owners. 2. The animal must be older than 6 months – in the case of dogs and cats, the permanent canine teeth must already have developed. 3. Dogs must be verifiably registered in the pet database for at least 16 weeks.
Organisations and individuals engaged in commercial activity: Organisations that are commercially or otherwise economically active and have a permit for keeping 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, poultry, ostriches and farmed fish.
Officially registered breeders
Breeders exempt from official registration: Breeders who are exempt from official registration and who do not sell regularly or for profit. The animals concerned include: ornamental fish, domesticated ornamental birds, domesticated poultry, small rodents and rabbits.
So this is what you should pay attention to if you bring animals to Austria in order 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 to think the decision through carefully. Pay very close attention to the origin of the animal, 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 owner to give the animal the best possible life.
Before the purchase
Taking 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.
Choosing the right species: Every animal species has individual needs, and you must find out in advance about the time required, the space needed and the care the animal requires.
Avoiding pity purchases: Even though it may be hard, buying out of pity unfortunately only makes mass breeding worse.
Observing legal regulations: In addition to the Animal Welfare Act, you should also find out about special regulations or the ban on breeding animals with hereditary defects (Qualzucht).
When buying
Finding reputable providers: You should only ever buy animals from an animal shelter, from reputable breeders or from registered dealers. You should definitely avoid disreputable providers, especially those found online.
State of health of the animals: Look very closely at the outward appearance. Be careful of signs of illness such as watery eyes or a runny nose. The housing can also provide important clues. Is it clean, hygienic and appropriate for the species, or dirty?
Documents: Make sure all the necessary documents are available. These include a written purchase contract, a pet passport (containing proof of vaccinations and the microchip), and a veterinary certificate (proof of regular deworming and the first vaccination).
The mother animal: Is it possible to see the mother animal? A reputable breeder will grant you 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 animals from terrible mass breeding operations and the animals could be sick. In this case, it is best to report the breeder.
Seller's behaviour: Does the seller ask a lot of questions? A reputable breeder will ask you many questions to make sure the animal is going to a good and capable home. They will also be available for further questions, even after you have already bought the animal.
What penalties are there for illegal animal trade?
In Austria, illegal trade in animals – especially dogs and cats – is strictly prosecuted. This affects both sellers and buyers. The aim is to prevent animal suffering and stop disreputable traders.
Anyone who sells or buys an animal that is offered without the 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 offence, the number of animals affected, whether it is a repeat offence, and the extent to which animal welfare is endangered. Fines are in the region of roughly 3,500 to 7,500 euros.
If there is suspicion that the animal was illegally imported, traded or sold, it can be confiscated, examined by a veterinarian and placed in a suitable facility by the authorities.
In particularly serious cases – for example, if animals have been deliberately neglected, abused or transported under life-threatening conditions – criminal proceedings may also be initiated, which can result in further sanctions, conditions or charges.
In cases of serious or repeated violations, the authorities can: ban the keeping of animals, revoke the business licence, or make future animal transports subject to mandatory inspection.
Illegal animal trade is strictly punished in Austria. Not only sellers but also buyers can be penalised if they knowingly or negligently acquire animals from illegal sources. These measures are intended to:
prevent animal suffering
stop disreputable traders
minimise 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 on border crossings or on 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.
FAQ on travelling with, selling and buying animals in Austria
What counts as an "illegally offered animal"?
An animal may be offered illegally if, for example, there are no proper documents, no valid identification (microchip/tattoo), the minimum age has not been observed, or the animal is offered for sale without a permit.
Which documents do I need to check when buying a pet?
At the very least: pet passport, proof of microchip or tattoo identification, vaccination details (e.g. rabies), origin details, and, for dogs, registration in the pet database if applicable. A reputable seller will also provide a written purchase contract.
What happens if I buy an animal and it later turns out that the sale was illegal?
It is possible that you, as the buyer, could be held responsible – for example, through official measures, return of the animal, or criminal proceedings. In addition, the animal may present health risks, and your rights – such as return or compensation – may be limited.
What is the maximum penalty for illegal animal sales in Austria?
For violations of sales bans (e.g. public offering), fines of up to around €3,750 can be expected for a first offence; for repeat offences, up to €7,500 or more. The exact amount depends on the individual case.
Can I give an animal away instead of selling it – does the ban then not apply?
Even when given away free of charge, the conduct can be illegal if it circumvents the rules or if the giving away is carried out systematically like a sale. What matters is whether the regulations are being circumvented or whether a commercial activity is taking place.
What should I do if I have discovered an illegal animal sale?
Contact the relevant authority (e.g. the veterinary office or animal welfare authority) and report your suspicion. If possible, provide supporting information (seller, listing, condition of the animal). This way you also help animal welfare.
