It is great to be able to take your pet with you on your holiday. Before you decide to travel with your pet make sure you inform yourself about the necessary papers and vaccinations, not only required for Croatia but also for the countries you have to travel through.
From EU country
When travelling from another country of the European union your pet need to have a standard European union animal passport, you pet needs to have a microchip with its serial number stated in the passport, and your pet need to have been vaccinated for Rabies. The Rabies vaccination must be given after it has received it microchip, and the rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before entering Croatia. If your pets has received a rabies vaccination before being micro-chipped, the vaccinations has to be given again after micro-chipping. Keep your rabies vaccination up-to-date. Kittens and puppies may not be vaccinated for rabies before an age of 12 weeks.
From a non-EU country
When you come from a non-EU country but your country is listed as low-risk for rabies, you need all the above mentioned requirements and a valid veterinary certificate of it’s microchip and vaccination. When travelling form a high-risk rabies country inform yourself at your local veterinary practice about the steps to be taken as you will need a rabies blood titre well in advance of travelling, 30 days waiting period after the rabies vaccination, and than 3 months after the blood sample was taken and the titre is high enough, before travelling to Croatia.
Read our article Your dog & holiday in Croatia
Banned breeds
There are banned dog breeds that are not allowed entry into Croatia, these are all bull terrier-type dogs and their crosses (Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier) when they have no pedigree issued by the Kennel Club of one of the member countries of the International Canine Organizations (FCI). The transit, entry and temporary stay is forbidden for all the bull-type terriers not registered with the FCI, and also for all their hybrids (cross bred) types.
Health risks
In Croatia you have to beware of certain possible parasitic infections that may not be present in you home country. Especially between the months of April and October ticks and mosquito’s can transfer parasite infections, like hart-worm disease, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Leishmania, fox tapeworm. Inform yourself at you local vet which preventive treatments you can give your pet to minimize risk of infection. In Croatia the weather can be very warm during the summer months, so be aware of risks of over-heating, and what you can do in case of overheating.
You should walk with your dog on a leash and large dogs should wear a muzzle if you are at a location, like a nature park or large city, where this is required. There are hotels, camping’s and private accommodations where you can bring your dog with you, usually for an additional fee. Inform ahead about these possibilities. It is allowed to bring your dog on the train, a small dog that can sit on your lap is even free of charge, a larger dog (over 30 cm in height) will cost half a ticket price. However, it is not allowed to bring your dog on buses or trams. If you want to use a taxi inform the driver you have a dog and each taxi-driver is allowed to decide for himself if he wants to take a dog in his car or not, and he will also charge you a fee.
