How much Cats and dogs can I bring into Germany?
Restricted
You can bring Cats and dogs into Germany only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 5 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
Questions about Cats and dogs in Germany
- How many cats and dogs can I bring into Germany?
- Germany allows 5 cats and dogs per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare cats and dogs at Germany customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 5 cats and dogs there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare cats and dogs in Germany?
- If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Abgabenordnung, § 375 Absatz 2 Satz 1, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.
- Can I post or ship cats and dogs to Germany instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.
- Can I take cats and dogs out of Germany?
- Germany publishes no separate rule for taking cats and dogs out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the Germany limit for cats and dogs apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) states it in Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The maximum number of pet animals (dogs, cats or ferrets) which may be moved for non-commercial purposes is 5 in a single vehicle.”
- How does Germany compare with other countries on cats and dogs?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cats and dogs, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) — Zoll online - Überschreiten der Reisefreimengen · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) — germany postOrCourier · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country · verified 2026-09-19