Country entry guide · Europe (non-EU)
Traveling to Moldova with your dog
Moldova welcomes dogs, but it is not an EU member, so it applies its own national rules rather than the EU pet passport system. The National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) requires that a dog entering the country be identified with an ISO microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination, be vaccinated against rabies, carry an international veterinary certificate and a pet passport, and — according to ANSA's published guidance — show a rabies antibody titration of at least 0.5 IU/ml. At the border, the dog must be declared in writing and cross only through a post equipped with an ANSA border inspection point, including Chișinău International Airport. This guide explains what to prepare, but always confirm the exact procedure for your dog's origin with your veterinarian and with ANSA.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required |
| Rabies antibody test | Required per ANSA guidance (≥0.5 IU/ml) |
| Veterinary certificate | Required (international) |
| Pet passport | Required |
| Quarantine | Not published as routine |
⏱️ Estimated preparation time
Times are indicative. The rabies antibody test alone adds a fixed 3-month wait.
⚠️ Important
- MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
- Only a veterinarian can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
- Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.
Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.
Find a flight to Moldova
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
The exact documents depend on three things — Moldova (your destination) is only the first.
- 1 Country of destination — Moldova★★★★★
Moldova is outside the EU and applies its own norm (Government Decision 660/2022): an ISO microchip fitted before vaccination, a valid rabies vaccination, an international veterinary certificate and a pet passport are the baseline for entry.
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
The origin's rabies situation decides how strict the file is. ANSA's guidance calls for a rabies antibody titration (≥0.5 IU/ml); for rabies-risk origins this test and its timing are the critical, slow step.
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
A recent stay in a rabies-risk country can trigger the antibody test even if you fly in from a lower-risk country. It is your dog's real origin and history that count — not only the last airport.
So read the requirements below as Moldova's framework, then confirm your dog's exact origin and history with your vet and with ANSA.
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | When | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Required | Transponder compliant with ISO 11784/11785; must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. | If the chip is fitted after vaccination, the dog must be re-vaccinated. | HG 839/2009; HG 660/2022; ANSA guide |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Valid vaccination recorded in the certificate/passport (identification, vaccine and validity dates). | The microchip must already be in place before the shot. | HG 660/2022; ANSA guide |
| Rabies antibody test (titration) | Required per ANSA guidance | Positive antibody test ≥0.5 IU/ml, performed at most 24 months and at least 3 months before dispatch; result valid 4 months or until the rabies vaccination expires. | Under HG 660/2022 (EU-aligned) extra rabies safeguards apply chiefly to origins with an unfavourable rabies situation — confirm scope with ANSA. | HG 839/2009, Ch. 1; ANSA guide |
| International veterinary certificate | Required | Issued by an official veterinarian; states the animal's identification, the vaccination and the antibody-test result. | An EU-type pet passport is accepted for a pet re-entering the EU, not as a substitute for the Moldovan entry file. | HG 660/2022; Serviciul Vamal |
| Pet passport (international movement) | Required | Passport for international movement of pets accompanying the animal. | None published. | HG 839/2009, Ch. 1; ANSA guide |
| Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment | Not published | — | ANSA and Customs do not publish a compulsory tapeworm treatment for entry into Moldova. | ANSA guide (not mentioned) |
| Advance notification / import permit | Not required | The pet must be declared in writing at the border; no separate import permit is published. | Maximum 5 pets per non-commercial movement. | Serviciul Vamal; HG 660/2022 |
| Border check (documents & identity) | Required | Cross only via a post with an ANSA border inspection point (incl. Chișinău International Airport); present the animal and its documents to the official vet. | Customs authorise the crossing after the ANSA veterinary check. | Serviciul Vamal |
| Puppies / minimum age | Not separately published | In practice the dog must be old enough to be vaccinated against rabies (usually ≥12 weeks) and, where required, to complete the antibody test and waiting period. | Moldova does not benefit from the EU young-animal derogations for onward EU travel. | ANSA guide |
| Quarantine | Not published as routine | — | No routine quarantine is published; non-compliant animals may be refused or held at the border. | Serviciul Vamal; ANSA guide |
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
From the EU / low-rabies-risk countries
A dog arriving from the EU or another low-rabies-risk country needs an ISO microchip fitted before vaccination, a valid rabies vaccination, an international veterinary certificate and a pet passport. ANSA's guidance also lists a rabies antibody titration (≥0.5 IU/ml); confirm with ANSA whether it applies to your specific origin.
From other favourable-rabies countries
The same baseline applies: microchip, rabies vaccination, international veterinary certificate and passport, with a rabies antibody titration recorded on the certificate. Allow time to have the certificate issued and endorsed by an official vet before travel.
From a rabies-risk country
The rabies antibody titration is the critical step: a positive result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, drawn at least 3 months (and at most 24 months) before dispatch. Plan several months ahead, keep the vaccination valid throughout, and carry the endorsed international veterinary certificate and passport.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Moldova takes place at a border crossing equipped with an ANSA inspection point.
- The pet must be declared in writing and is subject to customs and veterinary control at the border.
- Cross only through a post with an ANSA border inspection point — including Chișinău International Airport, Leușeni, Sculeni, Giurgiulești, Criva and others.
- Contact the official vet at the inspection point, present the pet's identification documents and make the animal available for checks.
- Movement is permitted only on the basis of a valid veterinary certificate; customs authorise the crossing after the ANSA check.
- A maximum of five pets may accompany the owner in a single non-commercial movement.
- Carry original documents; if papers are missing or invalid, entry can be refused or the animal held at the border.
🧳 Real traveller experience
No reliable documented traveller feedback available.
🚫 Restricted dogs
Moldova currently publishes no breed-specific import ban for dogs entering the country. However, a new pet-protection law introduces breed restrictions from 2027 — plan ahead if you own a listed breed.
Under Law No. 256/2025 on the protection of pets (in force September 2027), the breeding, import and purchase of certain potentially dangerous breeds will be banned. ANSA lists: Akbash, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, American Bandog, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Bully Kutta, Campeiro Bulldog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Gull Dong, Wolfdog and wolfdog hybrids.
Dogs of these breeds already owned by residents may stay with their owners provided they are neutered/sterilised to prevent reproduction. No other national category of restricted dog is published for import today.
Because this ban takes effect in 2027 and its import scope is still being detailed, confirm the current position with ANSA before travelling with a listed breed.
🧾 Preparation checklist
- ☐Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) implanted before the rabies vaccination
- ☐Valid rabies vaccination recorded in the certificate/passport
- ☐Rabies antibody titration ≥0.5 IU/ml (≥3 and ≤24 months before travel) as per ANSA guidance
- ☐International veterinary certificate issued by an official vet
- ☐Pet passport for international movement
- ☐Plan to cross via a post with an ANSA border inspection point (e.g. Chișinău Airport)
- ☐Airline reservation confirming your dog's travel option and any carrier rules
- ☐Suitable IATA crate if travelling in the hold; original documents in hand
📚 Official sources
- ANSA — Guide on the movement of pets (dogs, cats, ferrets)
- ANSA — Online veterinary certificate for pet travel (press release)
- Serviciul Vamal (Customs) — Pets
- Serviciul Vamal (Customs) — Border-crossing rules for pets
- ANSA — New breed rules under the pet-protection law (press release)
- Government Decision 660/2022 — Veterinary norm on non-commercial pet movement