A derogation from the maximum number of pets (5) that may accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single movement is allowed if:

• the purpose of the movement with the pet animals is to participate in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in preparation for such events;
• the owner or authorised person provides written proof that the pet animals are registered for participation in such an event or with the association organising such events;
• the pet animals are more than 6 months old.

The animal must be identified in such a way as to establish an unambiguous link between the animal, its identification document and its owner. For dogs, cats and ferrets, it is compulsory to be marked with:

• a transponder (microchip); or
• a clearly legible mark tattooed before 3 July 2011.

The date of insertion of the transponder or tattoo must be indicated in the animal's identification document. If the transponder has not been inserted in the EU, it is advisable to check in the third country or territory whether it meets the technical requirements. If the transponder does not comply with the requirements, the owner or the authorised person must provide the necessary means to read the transponder whenever the marking and identity of the animal is checked.

The requirements for the validity of rabies vaccination are:

• the animal is vaccinated against rabies with an appropriate vaccine,
• the vaccination is carried out by an approved veterinarian,
• the animal is at least 12 weeks old on the date of vaccination,
• the date of vaccination shall be indicated by the authorised veterinarian or official veterinarian in the appropriate part of the identification document,
• the animal must have been validly identified prior to vaccination, as evidenced by the animal identification document.

The period of validity of the vaccination shall begin at the end of a period of at least 21 days after the completion of the primary rabies vaccination and shall be valid until the date indicated in the relevant part of the identification document by the authorised veterinarian or official veterinarian in accordance with the legislation. If the revaccination is not carried out within the period of validity of the previous vaccination, it shall be considered as the primary vaccination.

It is important that the animal's rabies vaccination does not expire in a third country. If this happens, the animal must be vaccinated in time in the third country. If the date of vaccination is missed, the vaccination must be given again for 21 days to become valid. In both cases, the animal must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate with a declaration when returning to Slovenia. Vaccinations carried out in a third country must be entered in the EU passport on arrival in Slovenia - this is done by an authorised veterinarian in a clinic on the basis of a veterinary certificate.

EU pet passport

is used as an identification document when the owner is returning with the dog, cat or ferret from third countries or territories outside the EU and all other conditions for non-commercial movement are met. This means that the animal has not had an expired rabies vaccination in one of the third countries and titration test has been carried out with a favourable result and entered in the EU pet passport before the animal leaves the EU (in the case of travel from or via third countries is group 3).

If these conditions are not met, you will need a veterinary certificate validated by the official veterinarian of the competent authority in the third country to return to the EU.

Veterinary certificate

A document that ensures compliance with one or more animal health and welfare requirements. It is used as an identification document for animals between the Eu and third countries or territories outside the EU. It is validated and issued by the official veterinarian of the competent authority in the country from which the animal is travelling.

The blood sample required for the titration test shall be taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days from the date of the rabies vaccination and:

• at least 3 months before the date of non-commercial movement from or transit through certain territories or to third countries, if the animal is not accompanied by an appropriate declaration in Slovene and English;
• before the pet animal leaves the EU for movement to or transit through certain territories or third countries, which must be confirmed in the identification document before the date of movement.

The titration test must be performed in an approved laboratory. The test result must be at least 0,5 IU/ml and must be confirmed in the appropriate identification document. If the animal is accompanied by a veterinary certificate as identification document, a certified copy of the official report of the approved laboratory on the test results must be attached to the certificate. The titration test doesn't need to be repeated once a satisfactory result (at least 0,5 IU/ml) has been obtained, provided that the animal has been regularly vaccinated during the period of validity of the previous rabies vaccination.

Derogation from the titration test condition

No derogation from the titration test condition for entry into the EU is allowed unless the following conditions are met:

• transit through such territory or third country,
• the animal has not been in contact with animals of species susceptible to rabies during transit,
• it has been secured in a means of transport or within the perimeter of an international airport,
• the animal is accompanied by a signed declaration by the owner certifying that he has physically secured the animal during transport and by a veterinary certificate in the language of the Member State of entry and in English.

The declaration of insurance of the animal during transport must be presented by the owner or the authorised person at the time of the issue of the veterinary certificate and at the time of the inspection of the animal at the point of entry by the competent authority.

If you are travelling from a third country, crossing EU Member States or if the country of destination is an EU Member State, it is advisable to check with the competent authority of that country for any additional conditions.

From third countries in Group 1: entry can be made at any border crossing point in the EU. Where appropriate, the competent authority will carry out documentary and identity checks on the pet animals. The owner or authorised person must present the identification document of the pet animal and allow its verification at the request of the authority responsible for verification.

From third countries in Groups 2 and 3: entry is only allowed through specific border crossing points, known as Travellers' points of entry, where the competent authority checks the documents and identity of the pet animals. Travellers' points of entry is in the EU country where the owner enters the EU territory with the animal from a third country. It is the responsibility of the owner or authorised person to contact the competent authority at the Passenger Entry Point and to present the pet's identification document to the competent authority and to allow the pet to be checked.

The exception are registered military or tracking and rescue dogs, which can enter the EU from these countries at any border crossing point, provided that the owner or an authorised person:

• has applied for a permit in advance and such permit has been granted by the Member State;
• and contacts the competent authority present at the point of entry and presents the pet's identification document and allows its verification.

Registered military or tracking and rescue dogs are allowed to enter Slovenia if:

• the dog meets the conditions for non-commercial movement from the third country concerned;
• the owner or authorised person has previously applied to the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection by means of an application, which must contain at least:
  • details of the owner or authorised person: name, surname, permanent address, telephone number, e-mail address;
  • the dog's information: transponder number, identification document number, date of validity of the rabies vaccination;
  • the registration details of the dog;
  • the reason for the authorisation and the place of entry.

The regional office of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection shall specify in the permit issued the place where compliance with the conditions for non-commercial movement shall be verified.