Country entry guide · Europe (non-EU)
Traveling to North Macedonia with your dog
North Macedonia welcomes dogs, but what you need to prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from — not only on North Macedonia itself. North Macedonia is not in the European Union; it applies its own national rules set by the Food and Veterinary Agency (Agencija za hrana i veterinarstvo). A dog must be over 3 months old, permanently identified and travel with either a pet passport or a veterinary health certificate, depending on its country of origin. Dogs from countries on North Macedonia's low-risk lists need no blood test, while a dog from a country that is not listed must also pass a rabies antibody test at least three months before travel. Up to five non-commercial pets may accompany a traveller. This guide explains each case so you know exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Microchip | Required (microchip or legible tattoo) |
| Rabies vaccination | Required |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional — non-listed origins only |
| Veterinary certificate | Conditional — non-passport origins |
| Tapeworm treatment | Optional (not mandatory) |
| Quarantine | Normally not required |
⚠️ 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 North Macedonia
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — North Macedonia★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip / permanent identification | Required | An electronic microchip, a clearly legible tattoo or any other permanent means of identification is accepted. | Rulebook, Official Gazette 153/2015; fva.gov.mk |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Puppies under 3 months not yet vaccinated may enter only under strict conditions (see minimum age). | Rulebook 153/2015; model veterinary health certificate |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Not required from countries on the Annex I low-risk lists (which include the EU). | Rulebook 153/2015, Annex I; fva.gov.mk |
| Pet passport (Annex II, Part A) | Part A origins | Replaced by a veterinary health certificate for Annex II Part B origins. | Rulebook 153/2015, Annex II Part A |
| Veterinary health certificate (Annex II, Part B) | Part B origins | Not needed for Annex II Part A origins (pet passport instead). | Rulebook 153/2015, Annex II Part B; model certificate |
| Tapeworm (Echinococcus) & tick treatment | Optional | Not mandatory for entry into North Macedonia. | Rulebook 153/2015; fva.gov.mk |
| Advance notification / import permit | Not required | For non-commercial pets (up to 5 animals) no import permit is issued; customs clears them with veterinary consent. | customs.gov.mk |
| Border check (documents & identity) | Required | Import and transit only take place at official passenger border crossings. | fva.gov.mk; customs.gov.mk |
| Puppies / minimum age | Over 3 months | A puppy under 3 months, unvaccinated, may enter only with a passport and if it has stayed only at its birthplace with no contact with wild animals, or travels with its already-vaccinated mother. | Rulebook 153/2015 |
| Quarantine | Not required | A non-compliant animal may be refused entry or returned at the owner's expense. | Rulebook 153/2015 |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- Microchip / permanent identificationThe dog must be individually identified before travel.
- Rabies vaccinationValid rabies vaccination for a dog over 3 months old, as recorded in the passport or veterinary health certificate.
- Rabies antibody testRequired only for origins not on the Annex I (Part A/B) low-risk lists: test done at least 3 months before travel.
- Pet passport (Annex II, Part A)Issued by an authorised vet; records the identification and rabies vaccination.
- Veterinary health certificate (Annex II, Part B)Issued by an authorised/official vet in the country of origin, endorsed within 10 days before travel.
- Tapeworm (Echinococcus) & tick treatmentMay be examined and treated for echinococcosis and ticks by an official vet, noted in the passport or certificate.
- Border check (documents & identity)At passenger travel terminals of official border crossings; customs officials and, if needed, an official veterinarian check identity and documents.
- Puppies / minimum ageDogs, cats and ferrets must be older than 3 months to be imported.
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
Simplified — pet passport (Annex II Part A)
A dog coming from a country listed in Annex II Part A (which includes EU countries) travels with a pet passport showing permanent identification and a valid rabies vaccination. No antibody test is required. The dog must be over 3 months old.
⏱ A few days if a pet passport and rabies vaccination are already up to date.
Veterinary health certificate, no blood test
From a country listed in Annex II Part B but still on North Macedonia's Annex I low-risk lists, your dog needs permanent identification, a valid rabies vaccination and a veterinary health certificate endorsed by an official vet within 10 days before travel. No antibody test is required.
⏱ ~2 weeks: a veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days before travel, plus a valid rabies vaccination.
Antibody test + 3-month wait
From a country that is not on the Annex I low-risk lists, add a rabies antibody titration test carried out at least 3 months before travel, on top of the identification, rabies vaccination and endorsed veterinary health certificate.
⏱ ~3–4 months: a rabies antibody test must be done at least 3 months before travel, on top of the certificate.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches North Macedonia depends on where you flew from and your documents.
- Import and transit take place only at passenger travel terminals of official border crossings (including Skopje airport).
- Customs officials check identity and documents; an official veterinarian may also inspect the animal if required.
- Up to five non-commercial pets may accompany a traveller (more only for shows, competitions or training).
- Carry the original pet passport or veterinary health certificate, plus proof of the antibody test if you come from a non-listed country.
- If documents are missing or invalid, the animal may be refused entry or returned at the owner's expense.
🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)
North Macedonia is a listed country, so no rabies titer is needed to return to the EU — the EU health certificate is issued by an official veterinarian of the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA).
- On site, before the flight Your dog needs a microchip and valid rabies vaccination; an FVA authorised veterinarian completes and endorses the EU-model health certificate before departure.
🚫 Restricted dogs
North Macedonia's pet-import Rulebook (153/2015) sets no breed-specific restriction: the requirements apply to dogs by age, identification, vaccination and origin, not by breed. No official national breed-import ban is published by the Food and Veterinary Agency.
No category of dog is banned from import under the published FVA rules. Local ownership and public-safety rules for dangerous dogs may still apply once in the country.
No second category is defined for import purposes. Owners should confirm any municipal or public-order rules on specific breeds with local authorities.
Because no breed-import ban is published, confirm the current position with the Food and Veterinary Agency before travel if your dog is a breed restricted elsewhere in Europe.
North Macedonia with a dog: common questions
North Macedonia: What does my dog need to enter?
North Macedonia requires: Microchip / permanent identification, Rabies vaccination, Border check (documents & identity).
North Macedonia: Is a rabies antibody test required?
North Macedonia — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Required only for origins not on the Annex I (Part A/B) low-risk lists: test done at least 3 months before travel.
North Macedonia: Are any dog breeds banned?
North Macedonia's pet-import Rulebook (153/2015) sets no breed-specific restriction: the requirements apply to dogs by age, identification, vaccination and origin, not by breed. No official national breed-import ban is published by the Food and Veterinary Agency.
North Macedonia: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
A few days if a pet passport and rabies vaccination are already up to date. ~3–4 months: a rabies antibody test must be done at least 3 months before travel, on top of the certificate.
North Macedonia: What is needed to leave with a dog?
North Macedonia is a listed country, so no rabies titer is needed to return to the EU — the EU health certificate is issued by an official veterinarian of the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA).
North Macedonia: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
North Macedonia — Easy to difficult (depends on origin). MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 11 July 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of North Macedonia and your vet before booking.