Moving to Switzerland with petsRegistered users

Moving to Switzerland with a pet: importing a dog or cat

Verify the chip, vaccination sequence and pet passport, choose a staffed customs office and carry originals. After entry, an imported dog needs a Swiss veterinary check and AMICUS registration within 10 days.

Publisher: svajc.com Knowledge Base3 min readLast reviewed: 8/4/2026

Editorially reviewed

In Brief

A private move from Hungary with a dog, cat or ferret generally requires a chip, valid rabies vaccination and recognised pet passport. Present the animal at a staffed customs office; have an imported dog checked and registered in AMICUS within 10 days.

Key Takeaways

Check chip, vaccination and passport.
Wait 21 days after a first vaccination.
Choose a staffed customs office.
Keep customs evidence.
Register an imported dog in AMICUS within 10 days.
Use the FSVO travel check for special cases.

Direct answer: how do you move to Switzerland with a pet?

For a private move from Hungary with a dog, cat or ferret, verify the microchip, valid rabies vaccination and recognised EU or Swiss pet passport. Present the animal and original documents at a staffed customs office during clearance hours. An imported dog must be checked by a Swiss veterinarian and registered in AMICUS within 10 days.

Quick facts

Scope: your own animal on a private journey, without transfer of ownership.
From the EU: generally a chip, valid rabies vaccination and recognised pet passport.
First vaccination: after microchipping and valid only 21 days later.
No more than five dogs, cats or ferrets in one private vehicle under pet rules.
Customs: present the animal and documents personally at a staffed office.
Dog: veterinary check and AMICUS registration within 10 days.

1. Determine the type of movement

The FSVO private-travel rules apply when travelling with your own pet, not for sale or transfer. More than five animals, an ownership transfer, unaccompanied transport or protected species can trigger

a different procedure. Enter the real origin, species, age, vaccination, ownership and transport details in the official travel check.

2. Verify the three core conditions

Have the microchip read and compare its number with the passport.
Check the sequence and travel-date validity of the rabies vaccination.
Check the recognised EU or Swiss pet passport and keeper details.

The FSVO guidance says a first rabies vaccination can be given from 12 weeks, after microchipping, and becomes valid 21 days later. Young animals, medical exceptions and travel at a different time from the owner have additional conditions.

3. Plan the customs crossing

The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security requires pets to be presented at a staffed customs office during tourist-traffic clearance hours. Check the office and opening time, carry originals and keep the clearance evidence. A purchased animal and genuine household effects can have different tax treatment, so obtain a case-specific answer.

4. Register an imported dog in AMICUS

Under the FSVO dog guidance, a Swiss veterinarian must check an imported dog and register it in AMICUS within 10 days. The commune manages the keeper’s personal data.

Have keeper details recorded by the commune of residence.
Book a Swiss veterinarian within the ten-day period.
Bring the pet passport and customs evidence.
Verify AMICUS data and canton or commune dog obligations.

5. Special cases

Importing a dog with cropped ears or a docked tail is generally prohibited. The customs guidance identifies a relocation exception where duty-free household-effects conditions are met. Do not assume it applies: obtain written customs and cantonal veterinary confirmation before travel. Birds, reptiles, protected species, commercial movements and more than five animals follow other rules.

6. Departure checklist

Movement type and ownership confirmed.
Chip number matches the passport.
Rabies vaccination sequence and validity confirmed.
Staffed customs office and opening hours selected.
Transport and housing pet conditions checked in writing.
For a dog, commune, veterinarian and AMICUS steps scheduled.

For the household, use the family-moving guide and Swiss apartment-search guide. Last factual review: 4 August 2026. Rules can change; run the current FSVO travel check before every journey.

Continue reading with free registration

The full guide is available immediately. No payment or credit card is required.

Registration is free and returns you directly to this article.