Russia
The Russian Federation stretches across eleven time zones from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean, making it the largest country in the world by land area. Moscow and St. Petersburg are the primary international entry points for pets.
At a Glance
Bringing a pet into Russia requires a microchip, rabies and core vaccinations at least 21 days before travel, a parasite treatment within 2–7 days of departure, and the Russian Health Certificate Form 15 — no blood test or facility quarantine is required for pets travelling as accompanied baggage.
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Health Certificate
Required
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Blood Test (RNATT)
Not Required
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Import Permit
Not Required*
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Min. Age
3 months + 21 days
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Min. Prep Time
21 days
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Difficulty
Difficult
*No import permit is required for pets travelling with their owner as accompanied excess baggage (up to 2 animals). A permit through the Rosselkhoznadzor ARGUS system is required for pets shipped as unaccompanied cargo, or when importing 3 or more animals.
Key Requirements
Microchip
An ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) is required for identification. The chip number must appear on all veterinary documentation and should be implanted before any other procedures are completed.
Rabies Vaccination
Required for all pets over 3 months of age. The vaccination must have been administered at least 21 days before travel and remain valid within the last 12 months on arrival. Russia applies a strict 12-month validity rule regardless of the manufacturer's stated duration — a 3-year vaccine applied more than 12 months ago will not be accepted. A 3-year vaccine is accepted only if the original primary vaccination record is provided and the vaccine was given within the last 12 months.
Additional Vaccinations — Dogs
Dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus type 1), parvovirus, parainfluenza (adenovirus type 2), and leptospirosis. All vaccinations must have been administered more than 21 days and less than 12 months before travel. Combination products such as DHPP or DA2PP plus a leptospirosis vaccine are accepted.
Additional Vaccinations — Cats
Cats must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. All vaccinations must have been given more than 21 days and less than 12 months before travel.
Parasite Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatments must be administered by a certified or government veterinarian between 2 and 7 days before departure. The treatment must be recorded on the Russian Health Certificate Form 15.
Ringworm Examination — Cats
All cats are physically examined for clinical signs of ringworm (dermatophytosis) at the point of entry. Laboratory testing is only required if lesions are found during the clinical examination. Cats showing visible signs of ringworm should not travel.
Health Certificate (Form 15)
Russia requires its own specific document — Veterinary Certificate Form 15 — issued, signed, and stamped by a government veterinarian in the origin country between 2 and 7 days before departure. The form references "quarantine" but this refers only to confirmation that the animal has not been in contact with wild animals, not mandatory facility quarantine. On arrival at the Russian border, Rosselkhoznadzor officials convert this certificate to internal Form 6.1.
Import Permit
No import permit is required for pets travelling with their owner as accompanied excess baggage, for up to 2 animals. For pets shipped as unaccompanied cargo, or when importing 3 to 5 animals, a permit must be obtained through the Rosselkhoznadzor ARGUS system before travel. A maximum of 5 pets per person can be imported without additional special permissions.
⚠️ Requirements change frequently and without notice. Always verify with a certified pet relocation specialist before making any arrangements.
Preparation Timeline
1
Microchip
Assumed already present
2
Vaccinations (rabies + core)
Ensure up to date; at least 21 days before travel, within last 12 months
3
Parasite Treatment
2–7 days before departure, administered by certified/government vet
4
Health Certificate (Form 15)
2–7 days before departure, signed by government vet
Frequently Asked Questions
Is quarantine required when entering Russia?
No mandatory quarantine is required provided all documentation is correct. The word "quarantine" on the Russian Health Certificate Form 15 does not refer to facility quarantine — it certifies that the animal has not been in contact with wild animals before travel.
What is the Russian Health Certificate Form 15?
Form 15 is Russia's specific veterinary entry document, required for all pets entering the Eurasian Economic Union. It must be completed, signed, and stamped by a government veterinarian in the origin country between 2 and 7 days before departure. It is different from a standard export health certificate and must follow the exact Russian format. On arrival, Rosselkhoznadzor border officials convert it to internal Form 6.1.
Do requirements change depending on which country I'm travelling from?
The core process — microchip, vaccinations, parasite treatment, and Form 15 — applies the same way regardless of the pet's country of origin. What varies is which government veterinary authority issues and stamps Form 15, and the local process for getting the certificate completed within the required 2–7 day window. Always confirm the exact steps with a certified pet relocation specialist for your specific country of departure.
Do I need an import permit?
Not if your pet travels with you as accompanied excess baggage and you are importing 1 or 2 animals. A permit through the Rosselkhoznadzor ARGUS system is required for pets shipped as cargo or if you are bringing 3 or more animals. A certified specialist can guide you through the permit process →
My pet has a 3-year rabies vaccine — is it accepted?
Russia applies a strict 12-month validity rule for rabies vaccinations, regardless of what the manufacturer's label states. A 3-year vaccine is only accepted if it was administered within the last 12 months and proof of the original primary vaccination is provided. If more than 12 months have passed since the last vaccination, a booster is required followed by a 21-day wait before travel.
What is the minimum age to bring a pet to Russia?
Pets must be at least 3 months old plus 21 days — the additional 21 days accounts for the mandatory waiting period after rabies vaccination. Pets under 3 months that have not been vaccinated against rabies require a specific veterinary certificate in place of the standard Form 15.
Are there breed restrictions for Russia?
There are no general breed restrictions for dogs. However, wolf hybrids and Savannah or Bengal cats that are not at least 5 generations removed from the wild parent cannot be imported under standard pet regulations. Verify your pet's eligibility with a certified specialist before starting the process.
Which airports accept pet arrivals?
Pets should enter through airports with active veterinary control points. The main options are Domodedovo (DME) and Sheremetyevo (SVO) in Moscow, and Pulkovo (LED) in St. Petersburg. Always confirm with your airline and the destination airport that a veterinary inspection post is operational on your travel date.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary depending on pet size, origin country, and whether the pet travels in cabin or as cargo. Request a free personalised quote →
Ready to start planning?
Every pet's situation is different. Get a free, no-obligation quote from a certified pet relocation specialist.
⚠️ The information on this page is provided for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify all requirements with a certified pet relocation specialist before booking travel or making any arrangements for your pet.