Pet Travel Denmark | Pet Transport to Denmark from UK

Denmark has strict breed restrictions you must check before planning your trip.

Denmark bans 13 dog breeds and any mixed breeds derived from them. If you have one of these breeds, you cannot bring your dog to Denmark under any circumstances. Entry will be refused at the border and your dog could be confiscated. Check if your breed is allowed before you book anything.

We’re Fetchapet and we’ve been handling European pet transport for over 30 years. Whether you’re heading to Copenhagen or elsewhere in Denmark, we’ll make sure you understand the breed restrictions and handle the documentation correctly.

Is Your Dog’s Breed Banned In Denmark?

The following breeds and any mixes derived from them are illegal in Denmark under the Danish Act on Dogs:

Pit Bull Terrier
Tosa Inu
American Staffordshire Terrier
Fila Brasileiro
Dogo Argentino
American Bulldog
Boerboel
Kangal
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
South Russian Shepherd Dog
Tornjak
Sarplaninac

The ban includes mixed breeds. A dog that’s part Pit Bull or part American Staffordshire Terrier is illegal in Denmark, regardless of what other breeds make up the rest of their heritage. The provisions prohibit private individuals, including tourists, from bringing these dogs into Denmark.

Dogs acquired before March 17, 2010 can enter Denmark legally with one major exception. These dogs must wear a securely locked muzzle and stay on a leash no longer than 2 meters whenever they’re in public or unfenced areas. This applies even at campsites or around summer cottages.

However, Pit Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu have been banned in Denmark since 1991. The grandfather clause does not apply to these two breeds or any mixes involving them, regardless of when you acquired your dog. If you have a Pit Bull or Tosa Inu, you cannot bring them to Denmark under any circumstances.

If Danish authorities suspect your dog might be a banned breed or mix, you must provide documentation proving your dog’s breed. Acceptable proof includes a pedigree chart, certificate relating to the dog and its parents, or statements proving descent (parents, siblings). These statements must prove descent and cannot be based only on the dog’s appearance or behavior. The statements don’t need to come from a veterinarian.

Transit through Denmark is permitted if you’re driving through to reach another country. You can transit with a banned breed provided the dog doesn’t leave your vehicle except for brief necessary stops to let the dog out for exercise. The transport must take place without unnecessary stops in Denmark.

We will not transport banned breeds to Denmark for stays or residence. The risk of confiscation is too high, and we won’t put your dog in that position.

What You Need If Your Breed Is Allowed

Denmark joined the EU in 1973 and follows EU pet entry rules. Since the UK left the EU, the paperwork changed. UK Pet Passports no longer work. You need an Animal Health Certificate instead.

Here’s what your pet needs in order:

Microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip fitted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination. Get the timing wrong and the rabies vaccination won’t count)
Rabies vaccination (Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old for the rabies shot. After vaccination, wait a full 21 days before traveling to Denmark. This waiting period is mandatory)
Animal Health Certificate (Issued by an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before you arrive in Denmark. Once issued, it’s valid for 10 days to enter the EU, then stays valid for 6 months for traveling around Europe and returning to the UK)
Tapeworm treatment for dogs (Between 24 and 120 hours before entering Denmark, dogs need treatment for Echinococcus multilocularis. Cats and ferrets don’t need this. Your vet records the treatment in your pet’s documentation)
Entry through designated travelers’ points (Border officials check your paperwork, scan the microchip and may assess whether your dog appears to be a banned breed or mix)

You can bring up to 5 pets when traveling by air for non commercial purposes. No quarantine if you have proper documentation and your dog is not a banned breed.

The Tapeworm Treatment Window

Dogs traveling to Denmark face a specific timing challenge with tapeworm treatment. The treatment must happen between 1 and 5 days before you arrive in Denmark. Too early and it doesn’t count. Too late and you’re outside the window.

Your vet needs to record the exact treatment date and time in your pet’s documentation. This matters because border officials may check. The treatment targets Echinococcus multilocularis, which is why Denmark (along with Finland, Ireland, Malta and Northern Ireland) requires it.

Cats and ferrets skip this requirement entirely. Only dogs need the tapeworm treatment for Denmark entry.

Make sure your vet knows about this when organizing the Animal Health Certificate. Some vets unfamiliar with Denmark entry rules miss this detail, which causes problems at the border.

Getting Your Pet To Copenhagen

We arrange flights to Copenhagen Airport for pets traveling from the UK. Your pet travels as cargo in the temperature controlled, pressurized hold. The flight takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Your pet flies in a crate we build to their exact measurements in our workshops. High quality plywood on a strong wooden frame with full welded wire mesh on the back. Built to IATA standards so every airline accepts them. We size the crate so your dog or cat can stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.

We coordinate timing carefully. The Animal Health Certificate has that tight 10 day window. The tapeworm treatment has its 24 to 120 hour window. Both need to line up with your flight dates. We make sure everything arrives when it should.

We can deliver the crate to your UK address before departure if you want your pet to get comfortable with it at home first.

What Living In Denmark Looks Like

Denmark offers high quality of life with strong design culture and excellent outdoor access. Copenhagen is bike friendly with parks and green spaces throughout. The country has coastal access and countryside for dogs who enjoy outdoor activity.

Finding English speaking vets in Copenhagen and major Danish cities is straightforward. Denmark has high veterinary standards. Costs are comparable to or slightly higher than the UK.

The climate is mild with cool summers and cold winters. Denmark gets rain year round and winters are dark with limited daylight hours. Most Danes embrace outdoor activity regardless of weather. You’ll see people walking dogs in all conditions.

Denmark is generally dog friendly but dogs must be kept on leash in most public areas, forests and beaches during certain seasons to protect wildlife. Off leash areas exist but are designated and limited compared to the UK.

Under the Danish Act on Dogs, authorities have strict enforcement policies for dogs that attack people or other dogs. Keep your dog under control at all times while in Denmark.

Getting The Timing Right

Start by verifying your dog’s breed is allowed in Denmark. If you have a Pit Bull Terrier or Tosa Inu, you cannot bring them to Denmark under any circumstances as these breeds have been banned since 1991. For the other 11 banned breeds, check if you acquired your dog before March 17, 2010 and carry documentation proving the acquisition date if you did.

Don’t spend money on documentation or flights if your dog is a banned breed without the grandfather clause protection. If your dog resembles a banned breed, make sure you have pedigree charts or certificates proving descent before you travel.

Once you’ve confirmed your breed is legal, contact your vet to arrange an Official Veterinarian appointment. This needs to happen about four weeks before your planned travel date.

Three weeks minimum before travel, arrange the rabies vaccination if your pet needs it or needs a booster. The 21 day waiting period after vaccination is mandatory and you can’t travel before this time passes.

Ten days before you arrive in Denmark, get the Animal Health Certificate issued by your Official Veterinarian. This timing is tight and requires careful coordination with your travel dates. The certificate expires if you get it too early.

Between one and five days before arrival, dogs get tapeworm treatment from your vet. The timing must fall between 24 and 120 hours before you arrive in Denmark. Cats and ferrets skip this step.

On travel day, enter Denmark through a designated travelers’ point with all your documentation ready for border officials to check. If you have a dog from the grandfather clause (acquired before March 17, 2010), make sure you have the muzzle and 2 meter leash ready.

Breed verification comes first before spending money on anything else. If your dog turns out to be a banned breed without grandfather clause protection, you cannot bring them to Denmark and you’ll have wasted money on documentation and flights.

Most vet practices have an Official Veterinarian on staff who can issue the certificate and give the tapeworm treatment. Fees vary between practices, so check with your regular vet about their charges before booking flights.

What It Costs

Your pet’s size and weight determines the crate size needed, which has the biggest impact on flight price. Airlines base animal freight charges on container dimensions. Larger pets need larger crates, which cost more to ship.

Other factors affecting cost: whether you want a wooden crate or plastic vari-kennel, delivery of the crate to your UK address before travel, Animal Health Certificate fees from your vet (which vary between practices), and tapeworm treatment fee for dogs.

Get a free quote and we’ll give you exact costs for your specific pet and journey. We’ll verify your dog’s breed is allowed in Denmark and walk you through the Animal Health Certificate process.

Get Expert Advice On Denmark Pet Transport

We’ve been arranging pet transport to Denmark and across Europe for over 30 years. Copenhagen is a popular destination we handle, but we take the breed restrictions seriously and will not transport banned breeds because it puts your dog at risk.

Questions about flying your pet to Denmark? Ring us on 01206 330332 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Or email info@fetchapet.co.uk anytime and we’ll get back to you quickly.

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FAQs

What happens if I bring a banned breed to Denmark?

Your dog will be refused entry at the border and could be confiscated by Danish authorities. Denmark enforces the Danish Act on Dogs strictly. Since 2010, hundreds of dogs on the prohibition list have been seized. Do not attempt to bring a banned breed to Denmark unless you have grandfather clause protection and proper documentation.

Can I drive through Denmark with a banned breed if I’m going to another country?

Yes, transit through Denmark is allowed with a banned breed provided the dog doesn’t leave your vehicle except for brief necessary stops to let the dog out for exercise. The transport must take place without unnecessary stops in Denmark. The dog cannot stay in Denmark.

How do I prove my dog isn’t a banned breed?

If authorities suspect your dog may be a banned breed or mix, you must provide documentation proving breed. Acceptable proof includes pedigree charts, certificates relating to the dog and its parents, or statements proving descent (parents, siblings). These cannot be based only on appearance or behavior and don’t need to come from a veterinarian.

My dog is part American Staffordshire Terrier. Can I bring them to Denmark?

No. The ban applies to mixed breeds. If your dog is any part banned breed, it’s illegal in Denmark unless you acquired them before March 17, 2010 and can prove it.