Country entry guide · Europe (EU)
Traveling to Poland with your dog
Poland welcomes dogs, but what you need to prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from — not only on Poland itself. As an EU member, Poland applies the EU pet-movement rules: an ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination are always required. A dog coming from another EU country simply needs an EU pet passport. A dog from a listed non-EU country (such as the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom) needs an EU animal health certificate but no blood test. A dog from a non-listed country faces the longest path, including a rabies antibody test and a three-month wait. Poland does not ban any breed from entering, but keeping certain breeds inside the country requires a local permit. 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 |
| Rabies vaccination | Required |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional — non-listed origins only |
| Veterinary certificate | Conditional — non-EU origins |
| Tapeworm treatment | Not required for Poland |
| Restricted breeds | No import ban — keeping permit for listed breeds |
| 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 Poland
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — Poland★★★★★
- 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. | EU Reg. 576/2013; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Poland does not allow the entry of young dogs without a valid rabies vaccination; the microchip must precede the shot. | EU Reg. 576/2013, Annex III; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Not required from the EU or from listed countries (US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia…). | EU Reg. 2020/692; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| EU pet passport | EU origins | Replaced by an animal health certificate for non-EU origins. | EU Reg. 577/2013 |
| EU animal health certificate | Non-EU origins | Not needed for EU origins (passport instead). | EU Reg. 577/2013, Annex IV; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment | Not required | Only Finland, Ireland, Malta, N. Ireland and Norway require it — not Poland. | European Commission — pet travel |
| Advance notification / import permit | Not required | Poland issues no import permit for a private pet and requires no prior customs appointment. | EU Reg. 576/2013; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| Border check (documents & identity) | Non-EU arrivals | No systematic check for intra-EU (Schengen) arrivals. | EU Reg. 576/2013; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| Restricted / dangerous breeds | Keeping permit (not an import ban) | The list of ~11 breeds is set by ministerial regulation; the permit is issued by the mayor (wójt/burmistrz/prezydent miasta). | Reg. MSWiA 28.04.2003 (Dz.U. 2003 no. 77 item 687); Animal Protection Act art. 10 |
| Puppies / minimum age | Effectively ≥15 weeks | Puppies under 12 weeks cannot be vaccinated, so cannot enter Poland from outside the EU without a valid rabies vaccination. | EU Reg. 576/2013; wetgiw.gov.pl |
| Quarantine | Not required | Only if rules are breached — authorities may then order re-export or other measures at the owner's expense. | EU Reg. 576/2013; wetgiw.gov.pl |
🗓 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 11784/11785 transponder; must be 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 (e.g. Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Egypt): blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, EU-designated lab.
- EU pet passportIssued by an EU vet; records the microchip and rabies vaccination.
- EU animal health certificateIssued/endorsed by an official vet before departure; valid 10 days to entry, then up to 4 months for onward EU travel. A written owner declaration of non-commercial movement is also required.
- Advance notification / import permitUp to 5 pets per traveller move under the non-commercial rules; 6 or more (or unaccompanied) follow commercial import rules.
- Border check (documents & identity)At a designated travellers' point of entry; customs (KAS) or the official veterinary service read the microchip and check the documents.
- Restricted / dangerous breedsNo breed is refused entry or transit, but keeping or breeding a dog of a breed officially listed as aggressive requires a permit from the local municipality.
- Puppies / minimum age12-week rabies shot + 21-day wait (listed); about 7 months from a non-listed country.
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
Simplified — EU pet passport
A dog coming from another EU country needs an EU pet passport showing a valid ISO microchip and an in-date rabies vaccination. No antibody test, no health certificate and normally no border check. If you plan to keep a listed aggressive breed in Poland, arrange the municipal keeping permit.
⏱ A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed.
Health certificate, no blood test
From a listed non-EU country (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and others), your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU animal health certificate endorsed by an official vet before departure, plus a written non-commercial declaration. No antibody test is required; arrive via a designated travellers' point of entry.
⏱ ~3–4 weeks: 21-day wait after the rabies shot, plus a health certificate valid 10 days.
Antibody test + 3-month wait
From a non-listed (at-risk) country such as Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia or Egypt, add a rabies antibody test: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml at an EU-designated laboratory, then a compulsory 3-month wait before entry. An endorsed EU animal health certificate is also required.
⏱ ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination, then a compulsory 3-month wait.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Poland depends on where you flew from.
- From another EU country: no systematic border check — keep the EU pet passport with you.
- From outside the EU: arrive via a designated travellers' point of entry, where customs (KAS) or the official veterinary service read the microchip and check the documents against it.
- No import permit is issued for a private pet and no prior appointment with customs is needed.
- Carry the original documents (not copies); Polish or bilingual/officially translated documents are expected.
- If identification or documents are missing or invalid, authorities may order re-export, quarantine or other measures at the owner's expense.
- No breed is refused at the border, but keeping a listed aggressive breed in Poland requires a permit from the local municipality.
🚫 Restricted dogs
Poland does not ban any breed from entering or transiting the country. Instead, it regulates the keeping of certain breeds: a Ministry of Interior and Administration regulation (28 April 2003) lists about eleven breeds officially considered aggressive, and the Animal Protection Act requires a permit to keep or breed a dog of one of these breeds.
Listed aggressive breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Perro de Presa Canario, Tosa Inu, Rottweiler, Akbash Dog, Anatolian Karabash, Moscow Watchdog and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. These dogs may still enter and transit Poland freely.
Keeping permit: to keep or breed a dog of a listed breed in Poland, the owner must obtain a permit from the head of the local municipality (wójt, burmistrz or prezydent miasta) where the dog will be kept. The permit is granted only if the dog is kept in conditions that pose no threat to people or animals; it is refused or withdrawn otherwise.
The list applies to the breeds named in the regulation, not merely to look-alike dogs. This is a keeping-permit rule, not an import restriction: a tourist passing through with such a dog does not need the permit, but a resident keeping one does. Confirm the current list and local formalities with the destination municipality before moving.
✈️ Airlines flying to Poland 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.
+25 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 Poland
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
Poland with a dog: common questions
Poland: What does my dog need to enter?
Poland requires: ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination.
Poland: Is a rabies antibody test required?
Poland — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Non-listed origins only (e.g. Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Egypt): blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, EU-designated lab.
Poland: Are any dog breeds banned?
Poland does not ban any breed from entering or transiting the country. Instead, it regulates the keeping of certain breeds: a Ministry of Interior and Administration regulation (28 April 2003) lists about eleven breeds officially considered aggressive, and the Animal Protection Act requires a permit to keep or breed a…
Poland: 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. ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination, then a compulsory 3-month wait.
Poland: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
Poland — 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 8 August 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of Poland and your vet before booking.
📚 Official sources
- European Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country
- European Commission — Travelling with a pet within the EU
- European Commission — Listing of non-EU countries (antibody-test exemption)
- General Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) — Dogs, cats, ferrets: entry to Poland from third countries
- General Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) — Border crossings and sanctions
- Biznes.gov.pl — Keeping or breeding a dog of a breed considered aggressive (permit)
- ISAP — Regulation on the list of dog breeds considered aggressive (Dz.U. 2003 no. 77 item 687)