Traveling to Norway with your dog (or cat, for that matter) is no longer the hassle it used to be. As long as you keep some pet travel requirements in mind, bringing your dog to Norway will be pretty easy. The rules for cats are the same.
Keep in mind that completing vaccinations and veterinary forms can take 3-4 months, so if you want to bring your dog to Norway, plan ahead. Tattooed cats and dogs will not qualify for microchips.
The most important thing to know when taking your dog to Norway is that there are three types of pet regulations depending on whether you are entering Norway from Sweden, from an EU country or from a non-EU country.
Bringing your dog to Norway from the EU
First of all, 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 Norway from within the EU, the dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 before the trip, an EU approved laboratory must test it for antibodies against rabies, treat it for tapeworm and possess a passport to pets to display the information. When arriving in Norway with the dog or cat, take the pet to customs upon arrival (red zone).
Fun fact: if you bring your dog to Norway from Sweden, you are exempt from all the requirements.
Bringing your dog to Norway 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 complete the Veterinary Certificate.
In addition, you will also need a Third Country Certificate available from the EU Food Safety Department or the Norwegian Department of Agriculture.
Bringing your dog to Norway from a non-EU country requires that the dog (or cat) be vaccinated against rabies, that the antibodies be tested by an EU approved laboratory and that they receive treatment for tapeworm before travel to Norway.
You must notify the Norwegian District Office about the time and place of arrival at least 48 hours in advance.
When you are in Norway with your dog, follow the red line ‘goods to declare’ in customs. Norwegian customs staff will help you with the process and will review the dog (or cat) documents.
Tip for booking your dog’s flight
When you book your flights to Norway, be sure to notify your airline that you want to bring your cat or dog to Norway with you. They will check the room on board and there will be a one way charge. In many cases, but this is entirely dependent on the specific airline you choose, the charge for a dog or cat in the cabin is around $ 80-120, and as such much cheaper than hauling a larger dog in cargo. Plus, you can have your pet with you at all times and don’t have to worry about the pet spending hours in a cool, isolated cargo area.
If you want to sedate your pet for the trip, ask if the airline’s animal transport rules allow it. It is also helpful to check with your vet before planning long trips, as your pet’s health should precede any stressful transport reservations.
Please note that Norway annually renews its import regulations for animals. By the time you travel, there may be slight procedural changes for the dogs. Always check for official updates before bringing your dog to Norway.
