Country entry guide · Europe (EEA, non-EU)
Traveling to Norway with your dog
Norway welcomes dogs, but what you need to prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from — not only on Norway itself. Norway is not in the EU: it is part of the EEA and applies the EU pet-movement rules, with a few national additions. An ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination are always required. A crucial extra step is the compulsory tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment by a vet before arrival — Norway is one of the few countries that still demands it. A dog from an EEA or listed country needs no rabies blood test; a dog from a non-listed country must also pass a rabies antibody test with a three-month wait. On arrival you must declare your dog to Norwegian customs. This guide explains each case before you book.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional — non-listed origins only |
| Veterinary certificate | Conditional — non-EEA origins |
| Tapeworm treatment | Required — by a vet 24–120h before arrival |
| Customs declaration on arrival | Required — red channel |
| 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 Norway
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — Norway★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Required | A legible tattoo is accepted only if done before 3 July 2011; otherwise the owner must supply a compatible reader. | EU Reg. 576/2013; mattilsynet.no |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | The microchip must already be in place; no rabies vaccination is required for animals travelling only between Norway and Sweden. | EU Reg. 576/2013, Annex III; mattilsynet.no |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Not required from the EEA or from listed countries (US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia…). | EU Reg. 576/2013, Annex IV; mattilsynet.no |
| Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment | Required | Not required for dogs travelling directly from Finland, Malta, Ireland or Northern Ireland. A 28-day rolling regime is possible for dogs crossing the border regularly. | mattilsynet.no — mandatory Echinococcus treatment |
| Pet passport | EEA origins | Replaced by an EU animal health certificate for most non-EEA origins (a passport is accepted for a few listed territories and for returning EEA pets). | EU Reg. 577/2013; mattilsynet.no |
| EU animal health certificate | Non-EEA origins | Not needed for EEA origins (passport instead). | EU Reg. 577/2013, Annex IV; mattilsynet.no |
| Travellers' point of entry | Non-EEA arrivals | Animals from Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City may use any crossing. | mattilsynet.no — third countries |
| Customs declaration | Required | Dogs coming directly from Sweden with papers in order may use the green channel (red channel still advised when arriving by air). | toll.no — travelling with pets |
| Puppies / minimum age | Effectively ≥15 weeks | Puppies under 12 weeks cannot be vaccinated, so cannot enter from outside the EEA. | EU Reg. 576/2013; mattilsynet.no |
| Quarantine | Not required | Only if rules are breached — the dog may be returned, placed in paid quarantine or, for a banned breed, ordered out of the country or killed. | mattilsynet.no; toll.no |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- ISO microchipISO 11784 (HDX or FDX-B) chip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccinationDog at least 12 weeks old at the shot; valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination.
- Rabies antibody testNon-listed origins only: blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, approved laboratory.
- Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatmentFor all dogs incl. puppies: praziquantel (or epsiprantel) given by a vet 24–120 hours before entering Norway, documented in the passport/certificate.
- Pet passportEU/EEA model passport recording the microchip, rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment.
- EU animal health certificateModel in Annex IV to Reg. 577/2013, issued/endorsed by an official vet before departure.
- Travellers' point of entryMost non-EEA arrivals must enter only via Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) or Storskog, and contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (notify ≥48 h ahead).
- Customs declarationDeclare your dog to Norwegian Customs via the red channel on arrival.
- Puppies / minimum age12-week rabies shot + 21-day wait (listed); about 7 months from a non-listed country. Tapeworm treatment applies to puppies too.
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
Simplified — pet passport (EEA)
A dog coming from another EEA country needs an EU/EEA pet passport showing a valid ISO microchip and an in-date rabies vaccination — plus the compulsory tapeworm treatment by a vet 24–120 hours before arrival (exempt only from Finland, Malta, Ireland or Northern Ireland). No antibody test and no health certificate.
⏱ A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed — plus a vet tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival.
Health certificate + tapeworm, no blood test
From a listed non-EEA country (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and others), your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, an EU animal health certificate endorsed by an official vet, and the tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before entry. No antibody test is required; most non-EEA arrivals must enter via Oslo Airport or Storskog and declare to customs.
⏱ ~3–4 weeks: 21-day wait after the rabies shot, an EU health certificate, and the tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before entry.
Antibody test + 3-month wait + tapeworm
From a non-listed (at-risk) country, add a rabies antibody test: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml at an approved laboratory, then a compulsory 3-month wait before entry. An endorsed EU animal health certificate and the tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival are also required, with entry via Oslo Airport or Storskog.
⏱ ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination and ≥3 months before entry, plus the tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Norway depends on where you flew from — but in almost all cases you must declare the dog to customs.
- You must go through the red channel and declare your dog to Norwegian Customs on arrival; keep the passport or health certificate with you.
- From most non-EEA countries you may enter only via Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) or Storskog, and must contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority — notify at least 48 hours ahead.
- Dogs coming directly from Sweden with papers in order may use the green channel; the red channel is still advised when arriving by air.
- The tapeworm treatment must already be documented in the passport/certificate by the vet who gave it — you cannot administer it yourself.
- If documents are missing or invalid, the dog may be returned at your expense or placed in paid quarantine; a banned breed may be ordered out of the country or killed.
🚫 Restricted dogs
Norway bans six dog breeds considered dangerous, plus wolf-dog hybrids. The ban also covers any crossbreed containing one or more of these breeds in any proportion, and it is illegal to own, breed or import them. The Dog Act is administered by the police and the National Police Directorate.
Banned breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff), Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu (Tosa-Ken / Japanese Mastiff), Dogo Argentino, and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog — plus wolf-dog hybrids. Importing them (or their semen or embryos) is prohibited without special police permission.
Regardless of breed, it is also illegal to own, breed or import dogs trained to attack or defend, or any dog that is particularly aggressive or has other highly undesirable qualities making it a potential danger. There is no second, permitted category as in some EU countries.
If a dog is suspected of being a banned breed, police and customs can require the owner to document its breed; if in doubt, the police can have the dog killed or ordered out of the country. Questions go to the police or the National Police Directorate (politiet.no).
✈️ Airlines flying to Norway with a dog
Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.
+26 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 4 carriers serving this country are not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →
🛂 Airports in Norway
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
Norway with a dog: common questions
Norway: What does my dog need to enter?
Norway requires: ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination, Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment, Customs declaration.
Norway: Is a rabies antibody test required?
Norway — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Non-listed origins only: blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, approved laboratory.
Norway: Are any dog breeds banned?
Norway bans six dog breeds considered dangerous, plus wolf-dog hybrids. The ban also covers any crossbreed containing one or more of these breeds in any proportion, and it is illegal to own, breed or import them. The Dog Act is administered by the police and the National Police Directorate.
Norway: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed — plus a vet tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival. ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination and ≥3 months before entry, plus the tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival.
Norway: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
Norway — Moderate to difficult (tapeworm treatment always required). MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 9 August 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of Norway and your vet before booking.
📚 Official sources
- Mattilsynet — Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets from EU-countries to Norway
- Mattilsynet — Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries to Norway
- Mattilsynet — Mandatory treatment for echinococcosis for dogs imported to Norway
- Mattilsynet — Guide: Travelling with pets to Norway
- Mattilsynet — Banned dogs (breeds) in Norway
- Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten) — Travelling with pets to and from Norway