PetTravelCheck Know before you go

Latvia pet travel requirements
for dogs, cats, and ferrets

Latvia follows EU pet travel rules — your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination and an EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate. Pets under 16 weeks are not permitted to enter Latvia.

Rabies 21-day rule EU Pet Passport Young pets NOT permitted

What your pet needs for Latvia entry

  1. 1

    Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)

    Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

  2. 2

    Rabies vaccination — 21-day wait for primary vaccines

    Boosters given within validity have no wait. Lapsed boosters restart the 21-day clock.

  3. 3

    ⚠ Young pets under 16 weeks not permitted

    Pets must be at least 16 weeks old and have completed all vaccination waiting periods.

  4. 4

    EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

    EU/EEA-origin pets need a valid EU Pet Passport; arrivals from other countries need a government-endorsed AHC issued within 10 days of travel.

Check your compliance

Vaccination type

The date the rabies vaccine was administered

When you plan to cross the border with your pet

Pet type

Travelling to Latvia with your pet

Latvia follows EU Regulation 576/2013 but enforces a stricter policy on young animals — pets under 16 weeks are not permitted to enter, regardless of origin. This applies even to EU/EEA pets with a valid EU Pet Passport. Plan your trip so your pet is at least 16 weeks old and has completed its primary rabies vaccination (with the 21-day wait) before departure.

Non-EU arrivals also require a bilingual health certificate (Latvian plus origin-country language) — a correctly issued AHC typically satisfies this. Riga's art nouveau architecture and Gauja National Park are popular draws for pet-owning visitors. Entry is available by road from Estonia and Lithuania, and by ferry from Stockholm and Kiel via DFDS and Stena Line services to Riga and Ventspils.

Frequently asked questions

Why are pets under 16 weeks not permitted to enter Latvia?
Latvia enforces a minimum age policy to ensure pets have had sufficient time to complete a primary rabies vaccination course and observe the 21-day waiting period. Since pets cannot receive a rabies vaccination before 12 weeks of age, the 16-week minimum provides a safety margin. Plan your trip so your pet is at least 16 weeks old before departure.
Can I bring my cat to Latvia?
Yes — Latvia's pet travel rules apply equally to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Your cat needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination with the 21-day primary wait completed, and a valid EU Pet Passport (EU/EEA pets) or AHC (non-EU pets). The 16-week minimum age rule applies to cats as well as dogs.
Are there direct ferry routes to Latvia that accept pets?
Yes — DFDS operates a Travemünde–Riga route and Stena Line runs between Nynäshamn (near Stockholm) and Ventspils. Pet policies vary by carrier and cabin type — book directly with the ferry operator and check current pet accommodation options. Your pet needs a valid EU Pet Passport or AHC regardless of route.

Related resources

Rabies 21-Day Rule Calculator

Standalone rabies timing check for all EU/UK destinations

Greece

Also prohibits young pets under 16 weeks

 ← All destinations