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Import of live animals

Follow these instructions to import a cat or dog to Iceland. If you have any questions, contact us by calling or you can send us an e-mail to petimport@mast.is

Importation of pets must comply with the MAST import conditions. Importers must apply for an import permit to MAST and the pets must fulfill health requirements (vaccinations and testing) in addition to staying in quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival. Please refer to the below instruction guides to help you understand the requirements relating to the different categories of approved countries.

For information on the transport/flight of pets between countries, please contact the airlines that transport animals. The Icelandic Food and Veternary Authority does not have such information. Please note that the permitted arrival time is from 6-17 on the predetermined arrival times of the quarantine stations. If the arrival time is earlier or later, importers have to contact the quarantine station for approval.

Approved exporting countries

Dogs and cats can only be imported to Iceland from approved exporting countries

Approved exporting countries are divided into two categories with regard to rabies. Category 1 countries are rabies-free countries. Category 2 countries are countries where rabies is present but well controlled. Dogs and cats that are to be imported to Iceland shall have remained in an approved exporting country for the last 6 months prior to importation (or from birth) or in another exporting country that is in the same category with regard to rabies.

  • Category 1 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (excluding Svalbard), Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

  • Category 2 countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Greenland, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Taiwan, Turkey, USA.

If a country from which an importer intends to import a dog or a cat is not on the list, the importer can apply for the country to be assessed by MAST as to whether that country can be considered an approved exporting country. The approved country list is revised twice a year by MAST.

Non-Approved exporting countries

MAST may authorize the import of a dog or a cat from a non-approved country of export, when the following conditions are met:

  • The pet has been owned and cared for by the importer in the country of export for at least six months prior to importation, and
  • The owner/importer is a resident in the country of export and is moving to Iceland and bringing the pet with him/her.
  • The ownership of the pet and the residency in the country of export must be confirmed with valid documents submitted to MAST along with this application form.
  • A dog/cat that is imported to Iceland on these grounds must meet the health conditions according to country category 2 (including vaccination against canine influenza).
  • Application for an import permit for a dog/cat from a non-approved country.

Guidance notes for importing dogs and cats to Iceland

ATT!
We at Matvælastofnun have been notified that there can be a delay in receiving results from the rabies antibody test as a result of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine. Instead of a waiting time of 2-3 weeks, it can take 4-8 weeks to receive the results, although that is not always the case. We therefore encourage importers to do the rabies vaccination and antibody test in a timely manner.

 

Non-permitted importation

Cats:

Importation of fhe following is not permitted:
• Pregnant and lactating queens.
• Cats that have been injured or undergone surgery just prior to importation and require special supervision or treatment of any kind, except with a special permission by MAST.

 

Dogs:

Importation of fhe following is not permitted:
• Pregnant and lactating bitches.
• Animals that have been injured or undergone major surgery just prior to importation and require special
supervision or treatment of any kind, except with a special permission by MAST.
• Hybrids from wolves and dogs for at least 10 generations.
• The following dog breeds, as well as their cross breeds for at least 5 generations.

- Pit Bull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier/Staffordshire Bull Terrier/American Bulldog
- Fila Brasileiro
- Tosa Inu
- Dogo Argentino
- Cane Corso
- Presa Canario
- Boerboel
- Other dog breeds or cross breeds, considered to be a risk in accordance with MAST.

Dogs with a comparable origin, physique and / or temperament as banned breeds according to the assessment of MAST.
MAST shall justify its decision and take into account the available information on the dog breed in question, its origin and breeding standards, physique and temperament.
Dog breeds that are closely related to the above mentioned breeds have been rejected by MAST. If in doubt about the type of dog you are planning to import, please contact MAST for further information.

Certificate of health and origin for import of dogs and cats

Most common reasons for non-compliant submissions (declined import)

  • Incomplete health certificates – ALL input boxes must be completed.
  • Submission missing either the health certificate or one or more laboratory reports.
  • Vaccinations done less than 14 days prior to import.
  • Rabies titer done less than 30 days after vaccination (day of vaccination is day zero).
  • Rabies titer < 0,5 IU/ml
  • For Category 2 countries: Rabies titer done less than 90 days before import.
  • Incorrect vaccination protocol (mainly with the leptospirosis vaccination)
  • Laboratory reports
    • POSITIVE results for Brucella/leishmania/A.vasorum
    • No sampling date and/or microchip number on the report
    • Reports NOT IN ENGLISH
  • Incorrect treatment used against A.vasorum
  • Incorrect internal and external parasite treatments used – using products that do not cover all required parasites (see for dogs here, for cats here).
  • Paperwork submitted less than 5 days prior to import and later than 12 pm on the previous Friday.
  • Non approved arrival hours/date

Pet import planner

Preparing for import requires several visits to a veterinarian in the exporting country. The pet import planner creates a calendar that takes into account the country category and the date of arrival of the cat/dog.

ATT!
We at Matvælastofnun have been notified that there can be a delay in receiving results from the rabies antibody test as a result of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine. Instead of a waiting time of 2-3 weeks, it can take 4-8 weeks to receive the results, although that is not always the case. We therefore encourage importers to do the rabies vaccination and antibody test in a timely manner and not to trust the calculator below blindly, as it only shows the last possible dates to do the rabies vaccination and antibody test, but both of those can be done earlier in the process (as long as the pet is old enough).

Calculator for pet import to Iceland 

Approved quarantine stations for dogs and cats in Iceland

Import permit applications

A payment request for a permit fee is sent to the applicant upon receipt of application by MAST. This fee covers administration as well as the import control on arrival and upon discharge of the dog from the quarantine station. The permit fee is ISK 39.633.

Please note that this is the minimum fee, applicable only if satisfactory documents are submitted within the specified time frame. If these conditions are not met, additional costs may be incurred, billed at the hourly rate.

Transportation of pets to Iceland

Approved Transport Methods

Cats and dogs may only be transported to Iceland as:

  • Checked baggage (in the aircraft's hold)
  • Air cargo (via a freight service)

All pets must arrive at Keflavík Airport. Arrival by ferry is not permitted.

 

Pets in Cabin – Not Permitted

Please note: It is not permitted to bring cats or dogs into Iceland in the cabin of an aircraft, regardless of the airline or flight duration.

 

Exception: Approved Service Dogs

Certified service dogs (e.g. guide dogs for the visually impaired) may be allowed to travel in the aircraft cabin, with prior approval from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority. Owners must submit documentation in advance and receive confirmation before travel.

Important

This rule applies to all flights to Iceland.
Please coordinate with your airline in advance to ensure your pet is booked in the correct part of the aircraft.

 

Transit permits - Keflavik Airport and Ferry Ports

Service dogs

  • For transit in Keflavik airport with a service animal you must have a MAST transit permit.
  • A transit permit application must be submitted to MAST at least 48 hours (two business days) prior to departure. Applications are processed during office hours Mondays to Fridays.
  • A maximum transit layover time at Keflavik Airport for passengers with service animals is 3 hours.
  • You must comply with airline regulation regarding the eligibility of service dogs.

The following applies to service dogs in Keflavik airport

  • You and your service dog will be escorted by airport staff directly to your new boarding gate.
  • In case of delays, you and your service dog must wait in a designated area, as advised by the ground staff. If your service dog needs to relieve itself, there is a specific transit facility for pet animals in the building, where the dog can be taken to. This facility can also be used as a waiting area for your service dog in the event of delays.
  • Your service dog may under no circumstances leave the airport and enter the country. This will be considered illegal importation.
  • Your service dog must be treated with a veterinary medicinal product licensed for the treatment of fleas and other external parasites no more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours before the flight to Iceland. This treatment must be registered in your service dog's vaccination booklet/passport and submitted to customs or airport staff upon request.
Travelling pets (non-service animals)
  • No permits are required for transiting animals. Your pet will be transported by ground staff at the airport, from one plane to the next.

Transiting In Iceland by ferry or private aircraft

Animals on board carriers (vessels/aircrafts) that dock or transit in Iceland, are not, under any circumstances, allowed to leave the carrier.

The following declaration must be completed and submitted to petimport@mast.is:

Guidance notes and certificates for pets other than dogs and cats

Frequently Asked Questions

We have collected frequently asked questions to help you with your import preparation. If you still have enquiries regarding importation of pets you can contact MAST, office of import and export; tel: +354 530 4800 / e-mail: petimport@mast.is 

Importing dog semen to Iceland (deep frozen / chilled)

  • The importer must obtain an import permit issued by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) before importing dog semen.
  • The importer shall ensure that the importation complies with all import conditions.
  • Failure to comply with the import conditions may result in rejection of the importation.
  • An authorised veterinarian in the country of export must perform all veterinary procedures.
  • Only certificate forms DS1 (category 1 countries) and DS2 (category 2 countries) are valid for this purpose.
  • The signed certificate must be sent to MAST for approval no later than 10 days after semen collection.

Guidance notes and certificates for dog semen

Updated 08.07.2025
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