General

The dog or cat must be identified by means of a microchip and must have a European passport.

Vaccinations

The dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination must be given at least 21 days before departure, and must be repeated within the validity period. A vaccination after this period is considered a first vaccination and is only valid again after 21 days.

A puppy/kitten must be at least 12 weeks old when receiving its first rabies vaccination, which means they can only cross the border from the age of 15 weeks.

Note: From September 16, 2024, dogs and cats arriving from Russia and Belarus must have rabies antibody certificates. This also applies to pets returning to Finland - certificates must be obtained before travel.

Deworming

An anti-Echinococcus treatment is mandatory for all dogs, including puppies, to enter Finland. This treatment is not required for cats. The treatment must be administered by a veterinarian using medicine containing praziquantel or similar active substances.

As a main rule, the treatment must be administered 24 to 120 hours (1-5 days) before entering Finland. Exception: no treatment required for dogs arriving directly from Norway, Ireland, or Malta.

For regular travel to Finland, the 28-day rule can be used. Under this rule, the dog must first be treated twice with a maximum interval of 28 days. After that, regular treatments follow, always within 28 days of the previous treatment, as long as travel continues. Note:Note: if the 28-day period is exceeded, the entire treatment series must be restarted with two treatments.

All treatments must be recorded by the veterinarian in the pet passport.

Transportation

The dog or cat must not interfere with the driver and must be protected against sudden movements or in case of an accident. This can be achieved through a securely fastened car crate, a special harness attached to the seat belt.

Leash requirement

In Finland, there is a general leash requirement in built-up areas. During breeding season (March 1 to August 19), dogs must also be leashed outside built-up areas. Outside breeding season, dogs may be off-leash in non-built-up areas, but only with the landowner's permission. Dogs are always allowed off-leash in dog parks, training areas, and enclosed gardens. Dogs are not permitted on public beaches, playgrounds, and sports fields.

Traveling with more than 5 animals

When traveling with more than five animals, they must undergo a clinical examination, and their passport must include an additional certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of departure. The animals will then be subject to commercial transportation regulations.

The non-commercial transportation rules still apply when transporting more than five animals for participation in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training, as long as the animals are older than 6 months and the owner can provide written proof of participation.