Traveling to Sweden 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 Sweden 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 Sweden, plan ahead. Tattooed cats and dogs will not qualify after 2011 in favor of microchips.
The most important thing to know when taking your dog to Sweden is that there are two types of pet regulations depending on whether you are entering Sweden from an EU country or from a non-EU country. The Swedish Department of Agriculture also provides a guide. Note that Sweden still requires tapeworm deworming until at least 2012.
Bringing your dog 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 Sweden from the EU, the dog must be vaccinated against rabies (the rabies antibody test is accepted only in approved laboratories and no deworming is required after June 30, 2010, which is good).
Don’t forget to stop at the customs office when you arrive in Sweden so that the customs staff can register the dog in Sweden.
Bringing your dog from a non-EU country
The requirements for traveling with pets are a bit stricter. Like EU travelers, you should also get your dog a pet passport if possible or have your vet fill out a certificate.
In addition, you will also need a ‘Third Country Certificate’ available from the Swedish Department of Agriculture. Countries outside the EU are divided into two groups, one is called listed countries and the other is called unlisted countries. Of the countries not included in the list, Sweden requires quarantine in an approved quarantine station for 120 days, as well as identity marking, deworming and an import license.
Bringing your dog to Sweden from a non-EU country requires the dog (or cat) to be vaccinated against rabies and Sweden also requires a blood test for anti-rabies antibodies that have been taken 120 days after the latest vaccine against rabies from countries outside the EU.
Please note that in Sweden, dogs and cats from non-EU countries can only enter on flights to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport or Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport.
When you arrive in Sweden with your dog, follow the line ‘Products to declare’ at customs. Swedish 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 flight to Sweden, be sure to notify your airline that you want to bring your cat or dog to Sweden 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 Sweden 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 beforehand.
