Traveling to Finland with your dog (or cat) is no longer the hassle it used to be. As long as you keep some pet travel requirements in mind, bringing your dog to Finland will be pretty easy. The rules for cats are the same.
Plan ahead
Keep in mind that completing vaccinations and veterinary forms can take 3-4 months, so if you want to bring your dog to Finland, plan ahead. Tattooed cats and dogs no longer qualify, a change made by Finnish authorities in favor of microchips.
The most important thing to know when taking your dog to Finland is that there are two types of pet regulations depending on whether you are entering Finland from an EU country or from a non-EU country. There is a big difference between these two options, so make sure you stick to the correct one.
Bringing your dog to Finland from the EU
First, obtain an EU pet passport from your vet. Your licensed veterinarian will be able to fill out the EU pet passport as required. To bring dogs to Finland from within the EU, the dog must be vaccinated against rabies.
The dog must also have been dewormed for tapeworms. Tapeworm treatment is not necessary if the animal is imported directly from Sweden, Norway or the UK. Detailed guidelines for bringing dogs to Finland are available from the Finnish department of EVIRA.
Don’t forget to stop at the customs office when you arrive in Finland so that the customs staff can register the dog in Finland as needed.
Bringing your dog to Finland from a non-EU country
The requirements for traveling with pets are a bit stricter. Like EU travelers, you should also obtain a pet passport for your dog if possible or have your vet fill out the EU veterinary certificate available on the Finnish Animal Import and Export website.
Bringing your dog to Finland from a non-EU country requires that the dog (or cat) be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before traveling, and be dewormed against tapeworm max. 30 days before traveling to Finland.
Please note that when flying with your dog, you must choose a flight to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport for inspection. When you arrive in Finland with your dog, follow the line ‘Products to declare’ at customs. Finnish customs staff will help you with the process and review the dog (or cat) documents.
Reserving your dog’s fight
When you book your flight to Finland, be sure to notify your airline that you want to bring your cat or dog to Finland with you. They will check the room and there will be a one-way charge. (If you want to sedate your pet for the trip, ask if the airline’s animal transport rules allow it.)
Please note that Finland annually renews its animal import regulations. By the time you travel, there may be slight procedural changes for the dogs. Always check for official updates before bringing your dog to Finland.
