Can I bring my pet to Norway?
Rules for bringing pets across the border into Norway
If you have brought your pet from abroad, your pet must be checked at the border by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). The Norwegian Food Safety Authority must control all pets that come to Norway to minimise the risk of spreading deadly diseases, such as rabies, to humans and other animals in Norway.
As of 1 July 2023, pets brought into Norway from Ukraine are subject to the standard requirements regarding microchipping, rabies vaccination, blood testing, tapeworm treatment and health certificates.
Pets brought to Norway after 1 July 2023 that do not meet the animal health requirements must be kept in quarantine at the pet owner's expense, returned directly to Ukraine or euthanised.
You can read more about bringing pets from abroad (external website) on the Norwegian Food Safety Authority's website.
If your pet was not checked at the border when you arrived, you must immediately contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority by telephone: +47 22 40 00 00.
Here you can find information in English and Ukrainian about financial help from the Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals (pdf, 103 kB).
The principal rule is that pet owners are responsible for their own pets.
The vast majority of animals coming to Norway from Ukraine do not arrive in accordance with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority's guidelines and must therefore be quarantined.
You cannot bring your pet to the asylum reception centre
As of February 15, 2024, it will not be possible to live with pets at the National Arrival Centre or at the asylum reception centres.
If you arrive with a pet at the National Arrival Centre, you will not be allowed to enter with your pet and will therefore not be able to register your application.
If you arrive in Norway with your pet you must make sure the pet has a place to stay while you are being registered and while you will be living at the asylum reception centre. You must organise and pay for this yourself.
If you cannot arrange a place to stay for your pet, the pet must immediately be returned to Ukraine or euthanised. You are responsible for covering expenses related to return travel or euthanasia.