Pets

How to relocate with a pet

Bringing your loved ones to Luxembourg not necessarily means people. We will tell you, which documents your pets will require to immigrate to Luxembourg and how to organize the transportation correctly.

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The requirements for animals to enter the territory of Luxembourg are similar to the rules within the entire EU.

Rules for entry into Luxembourg

Your pets can travel with you as long as they:

Chipped with a 15-digit microchip meeting the ISO 11784/11785 standard. Dogs must be electronically identified (microchipped) within 4 months of being born.
Vaccinated against rabies. You will need to wait 21 days after the vaccination for your pet to travel to Luxembourg. Please note: the first day is considered day 0.

The microchip must be implanted before the pet is vaccinated against rabies. If your pet has already been vaccinated before the implantation, the vaccination becomes invalid and must be performed again.

Hold a valid European Pet Passport or an EU Pet Health Certificate.
Have a health certificate if you are moving from a non-EU country. The certificate must be verified by the state authority in charge of the animal's import and export and filled out by a licensed veterinarian.

Certain animals are not eligible for rabies vaccination. These include birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals like rodents and rabbits. However, they may need a health certificate to enter Luxembourg. Owners of such animals should request information from the relevant authorities in their country.

These rules only apply to private rides with pets. They are not relevant for situations involving a change of ownership or sale. In some cases, a written statement by the owner or traveling companion may be required, stating that the animals are not being transported for the purpose of sale.

Entry rules for more than five pets

You may travel with up to five pets. But if there are more than five (dogs, cats or ferrets), you must provide proof that:

they are participating in a competition, exhibition or sporting event (by providing, for example, a sign-up sheet);
they are more than 6 months old.

Airport rules

Pet check-in is only available at the front desk, no online check-in can be done with pets.

The animals must not show signs of a human-transmissible disease when they are examined at the entry port in Luxembourg. If your dog or cat is clearly not in good condition, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be necessary, at your own expense.

Please note that only dogs and cats are allowed on board (all other types of pets are not welcome). Each aircraft allows 3 pets in the cabin and 1 pet in the luggage compartment.

Cabin transportation

Cost

In-cabin transportation costs 50 euros per flight per one pet (for Luxair, different airlines may have different fares).

One hand — one pet

Each passenger may only carry one pet in one cage (soft bag or box). Two pets are not allowed in the same cage.

Comfort

Make sure your pet is standing or sitting comfortably in the carrier.

Size

Your pet will only be accepted in the cabin if it is under 8 kg (including the crate) and the size of the whole container (soft bag or box) does not exceed: (length) 45 x (depth) 23 x (height) 25 cm, (length) 45 x (depth) 42 x (height) 20 cm.

Please note that your pet has to remain in its carrier bag or cage for the whole duration of the flight. Do not let your pet out of the crate under any circumstances.

Cost

The price for transporting your pet in the cargo compartment is 100 euros per flight per pet (for Luxair, different airlines may have different fares).

Weight

Your pet will only be accepted in the cargo hold if its weight does not exceed 50 kg (including the cage). You may not carry two pets in one cage.

Comfort

Make sure your pet is placed comfortably standing or sitting in the cage.

Size

Maximum cage size: height – 83 cm, width – 115 cm. Secure the cage properly. It must always have ventilation holes on more than one side and be easily recognized as a pet cage. Cabin pet cages are not suitable for transporting pets in the luggage area.

Special requirements for dangerous breeds of dog cages

Look for a container or crate made of wood, metal, synthetic materials, welded or wire mesh. Plastic parts are not allowed for this type of transportation. The openings are permitted, but only if they are made with sturdy wire mesh, metal or reinforced wood. It shall have a secure fastening mechanism which cannot be opened accidentally.

The crate openings must be small enough so that the animal will not be able to stick any part of their body though. Also so that no biting or scratching by the animal will occur.

Restrictions on size and weight do not apply to guide animals for passengers with disabilities. They are allowed to travel free of charge and without a cage. However, the owner must have a valid medical certificate confirming the necessity of a service dog.

Pet transportation laws can also be changed in response to outbreaks of diseases such as avian flu and other types of transmitted diseases. To ensure that all stages of pet moving are maintained adequately, it is best to hire a professional pet carrier.