Iceland Pet Import Requirements

The dogs and cats must have a valid rabies vaccination, Vaccination at least 45-60 days prior to importation. ie. Have received the appropriate basic immunization and it must have been maintained according to the instructions from the manufacturer. The vaccination must be valid when the antibody titer test is performed ie: antibody titer test cannot be performed if the vaccination is out of date.

Must have Rabies titer < 0,5 IU/ml 

DOGS AND CATS:

1. Rabies antibody test - Blood samples for antibody testing shall be taken at the earliest 30 days after vaccination. Antibody testing shall be carried out by a laboratory approved by the European Union for this purpose. Rabies antibody titre should measure at least 0,5 IU/ml. The antibody test is valid as long as the rabies vaccination is kept up to date according to the manufacturer´s instructions. FOR PETS IN COUNTRY CATEGORY 2 - The dog may be imported to Iceland when at least 90 days (3 months) have passed after the date of the blood sampling for an antibody test with a satisfactory result.
2. Brucella canis – blood test-Within the last 30 days prior to importation, a blood sample shall be drawn from the dog for testing for brucellosis (Brucella canis). Approved laboratory tests for B. canis: IFAT, RSAT, TAT. The test result must be negative and recorded in the Certificate of Health and Origin (D1).The laboratory report in English containing the laboratory name, microchip number, blood sample date and test result must accompany the certificate.
3. Leishmania spp. – blood test- Applies only to intact dogs (males and females). Within the last 30 days prior to importation, a blood sample shall be drawn from the dog for testing for leishmaniosis (Leishmania spp.). Approved laboratory tests for Leishmania spp.: PCR, ELISA. The test result must be negative and recorded in the Certificate of Health and Origin (D1). The laboratory report in English containing the laboratory name, microchip number, blood sample date and test result must accompany the certificate. In case of a positive test result, the dog may be imported after it has been neutered/spayed. Neutering/spaying (surgical removal of gonads) must be confirmed by a veterinarian. Chemical neutering is not approved.
4. A.vasorum - blood test or fecal sample: Within the last 30 days prior to importation, a blood or fecal sample shall be taken and tested for A. vasorum. Approved laboratory tests for A. vasorum: ELISA, PCR (blood test), Baermann method (fecal sample). The test result must be negative and recorded in the Certificate of Health and Origin (D1). The laboratory report in English containing the laboratory name, microchip number, blood sample date and test result must accompany the certificate. 3/5
5. • Part 6: Laboratory tests
6. - Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) – blood test. Within the last 30 days prior to importation, a blood sample
7. shall be drawn from the cat for testing for FeLV. Approved laboratory tests for: PCR, ELISA , IFA. Test
8. kits (in house) for FIV/FeLV based on accredited methods are approved. Confirmation of a negative
9. result shall be recorded in the Certificate of Health and Origin (C1) and the laboratory report in English
10. containing the laboratory name, microchip number, blood sample date and test result must
11. accompany the certificate. In case of in-house testing, a laboratory report is not required but details
12. of the test kit used and date of testing must be included in the C1 certificate accompanied with a
13. signed, stamped and dated statement from the veterinarian containing details of the test kit used,
14. microchip number, blood sample date, test result.
15. - Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) – blood test. Within the last 30 days prior to importation, a blood
16. sample shall be drawn from the cat for testing for FIV. Approved laboratory tests for: ELISA, Western
17. blot. Test kits (in house) for FIV/FeLV based on accredited methods are approved. Confirmation of a
18. negative result shall be recorded in the Certificate of Health and Origin (C1) and the laboratory report
19. in English containing the laboratory name, microchip number, blood sample date and test result must
20. accompany the certificate. In case of in-house testing, a laboratory report is not required but details
21. of the test kit used and date of testing must be included in the C1 certificate accompanied with a
22. signed, stamped and dated statement from the veterinarian containing details of the test kit used,

• microchip number, blood sample date, test result

• Pets will go directly to quarantine station upon arrival for 14 days.  There must be booked and confirm timeslot before departure 
• Imported dogs are required to stay in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
• The importer must make reservations in advance at a quarantine station.
• Deadlines for the completion and submission of the Certificate of Health and Origin (D1) must be taken into account when determining the import date.
• There are two approved quarantine stations for dogs and cats in Iceland: Einangrunarstöðin í Reykjanesbæ  - Tel.no. +354 421 6949 / +354 893 6949
  Mósel / Allir hundar ehf.  - Tel. no. +354 868 3360
• Information regarding importation dates for dogs and cats are on the quarantine stations' websites.
• Pets are admitted by each quarantine station within a set three day period approximately three weeks apart.
• Quarantine admission (check-in) dates can be found on the relevant station´s website.
• In the case of a suspected infectious disease in a quarantined animal, MAST may extend the period of quarantine for the animal concerned, or all animals at the station, depending on the nature of the infectious agent

(18/8/2022: Exemption for import of pets from Ukraine no longer in force

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries made a decision to allow the importation of dogs and cats owned by refugees from Ukraine even though they did not meet the health requirements for import. Most European countries had already granted exemptions from health requirements, as a large number of refugees travelled from Ukraine to neighboring countries and it is estimated that around 5-10% of them brought their pets with them.

Strict conditions applied to such imports to Iceland, which included up to four months of quarantine, testing and treatment according to Regulation no. 590/2022 on the import of dogs and cats from Ukraine.

From the beginning of March until May, MAST received a number of inquiries regarding the import of pets from Ukraine. A new quarantine station was opened for this purpose only and on June 14th the first pets arrived in Iceland. A total of 18 pets owned by refugees from Ukraine have arrived and most of them are still in quarantine. However, some have already met all import requirements and have been released from quarantine.

As number of requests have significantly decreased, the above regulation has now been repealed. The quarantine station will stay open until all the pets have completed their quarantine and met all health conditions.)

• Imported dogs and cats are required to stay in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

• The importer must make reservations in advance at a quarantine station.

• Deadlines for the completion and submission of the Certificate of Health and Origin (D1) must be taken into account when determining the import date.

• There are two approved quarantine stations for dogs and cats in Iceland:

- The quarantine station in Reykjanesbær (Hafnir) – Tel. +354 421 6949 / 893 6949

- Mósel quarantine station (Hella) – Tel. +354 892 3457

• Pets are admitted by each quarantine station within a set three day period approximately three weeks apart.

• Quarantine admission (check-in) dates can be found on the relevant station ́s website.

• In the case of a suspected infectious disease in a quarantined animal, MAST may extend the period of quarantine for the animal concerned, or all animals at the station, depending on the nature of the infectious agent.

Importation of the following is not permitted:
• Pregnant and lactating dogs or cats.
• 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/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.

This will be arranged via MAST

Pets has to arrive within normal office hour and has to be arranged with MAST before departure