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 |
⏱️ 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.
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🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
The exact documents depend on three things — North Macedonia (your destination) is only the first.
- 1 Country of destination — North Macedonia★★★★★
North Macedonia applies its national Rulebook (Official Gazette 153/2015): a dog over 3 months old, permanently identified, with a valid rabies vaccination and either a pet passport or a veterinary health certificate.
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
Whether your dog leaves from a passport country (Annex II Part A), a certificate country (Annex II Part B) or a country not on the low-risk lists decides whether a rabies antibody test is required.
- 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 low-risk country. It is your dog's real origin and history that count — not only the last airport.
So read the requirements below as North Macedonia's framework, then confirm your dog's exact origin and history with your vet.
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | When | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip / permanent identification | Required | The dog must be individually identified before travel. | 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 | Valid rabies vaccination for a dog over 3 months old, as recorded in the passport or veterinary health certificate. | 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 | Required only for origins not on the Annex I (Part A/B) low-risk lists: test done at least 3 months before travel. | 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 | Issued by an authorised vet; records the identification and rabies vaccination. | 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 | Issued by an authorised/official vet in the country of origin, endorsed within 10 days before travel. | 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 | May be examined and treated for echinococcosis and ticks by an official vet, noted in the passport or certificate. | 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 | At passenger travel terminals of official border crossings; customs officials and, if needed, an official veterinarian check identity and documents. | Import and transit only take place at official passenger border crossings. | fva.gov.mk; customs.gov.mk |
| Puppies / minimum age | Over 3 months | Dogs, cats and ferrets must be older than 3 months to be imported. | 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 |
🌍 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.
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.
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.
🛬 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.
🧳 Real traveller experience
No reliable documented traveller feedback available.
🚫 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.
🧾 Preparation checklist
- ☐Permanent identification (microchip or clearly legible tattoo)
- ☐Valid rabies vaccination (dog over 3 months old)
- ☐Rabies antibody test — non-listed countries only, at least 3 months before travel
- ☐Pet passport (Annex II Part A) or endorsed veterinary health certificate (Annex II Part B, within 10 days)
- ☐Original documents, not copies
- ☐Airline reservation confirming your dog's travel option
- ☐Suitable IATA crate if travelling in the hold
- ☐No more than 5 non-commercial pets per traveller