Bringing Your Pet to Vienna, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Vienna involves navigating the EU's pet travel requirements, from microchipping and rabies vaccination to the right health certificate for entry into Austria. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you, coordinating with airlines, ground handlers, and Austrian border officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you're moving to Vienna for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Austria, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Vienna
Recommended
VIE
Vienna International, Austria's main gateway and Austrian Airlines' hub
- Distance from city center11 miles (18 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, handles live animal cargo
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from select major hubs
- Best forMost pet relocations to Vienna
BTS
Bratislava, across the border in Slovakia
- Distance from city center34 miles (55 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityNo dedicated pet facility
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forBudget flights within Europe
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Why airport choice matters
Vienna International is the only airport serving Vienna with direct US flights and established live animal handling. Bratislava is close by, but it sits in another country and mainly serves budget European airlines. Starwood routes most Vienna relocations directly into VIE, choosing a nonstop flight whenever the airline and schedule allow, or a connection through a major European hub when that's the safer option for your pet.
Traveling to or from Vienna with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Vienna?
Austria follows the European Union's pet travel rules, and getting the steps in the right order is what lets pets enter without quarantine. For full country-level requirements, see our [Austria Pet Relocation Guide].
It starts with a microchip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. The chip must be implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine won't count for EU travel. Your pet then needs a rabies vaccination, followed by a wait of at least 21 days (some vaccine manufacturers require 30). For pets vaccinated in the US, the EU treats a first rabies shot as valid for only one year, even if it's a three-year vaccine. Pets traveling from the United States don't need a rabies antibody blood test, and Austria doesn't require tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the EU health certificate, issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA. New EU certificates take effect October 1, 2026. Under the new non-commercial certificate, the document is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it, and USDA endorsement must happen within 10 days of your pet's arrival in the EU. Once in the EU, the certificate can be used for travel within the EU for up to six months, as long as the rabies vaccination stays valid. If your pet also needs an NFC or QR ID tag for easy identification in transit, this is a good point in the process to have one on hand.
Commercial vs. non-commercial pet travel to Vienna
Your pet can usually travel under a non-commercial certificate if you're on the same flight, or if someone you authorize travels with your pet within five days of your own trip, and you're moving five or fewer pets. A commercial certificate is required if no owner or authorized person can travel with the pet, if you're moving six or more pets, or if the pet is changing owners. Commercial certificates require a veterinary exam within 48 hours of departure.
Here's the reassuring part: when these steps are completed correctly and in sequence, quarantine is not required. Pets that arrive with missing or incorrect paperwork can be quarantined or refused entry at the owner's expense. This is exactly why timing and sequencing matter, and it's where working with a pet relocation specialist makes the most difference.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Vienna International Airport (VIE), about 11 miles southeast of the city center, is the right choice for nearly every Vienna relocation. It's the hub for Austrian Airlines and handles live animal cargo, so your pet can arrive close to home without extra connections or ground transfers.
Bratislava (BTS) is only about an hour's drive from Vienna, but it's in Slovakia and has no direct US service, so it isn't a practical option for international pet arrivals.
On arrival, your pet's microchip and health certificate are checked, and pets flying as cargo must also clear customs before they can be collected. Starwood coordinates clearance through our handling partners, so your pet moves from the aircraft to your new home as quickly as possible.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Vienna, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Austrian Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, flies nonstop to Vienna from several major US hubs. Other options connect through European hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, or Zurich. Not every airline accepts pets as cargo. United, for example, doesn't currently fly pets as manifest cargo.
The right route depends on your departure city, travel dates, your pet's breed and size, and seasonal temperature restrictions. Snub-nosed breeds, for example, face extra airline limits. Starwood compares the options and books the safest, most direct routing available for your pet.
If you have a larger or guarding breed, check with our team early. Vienna requires owners of certain listed breeds, including Rottweilers and several bull and mastiff breeds, to hold a special dog license (Hundeführschein).
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
For pets coming from the US, the minimum timeline is about 21 to 30 days after the rabies vaccination, depending on the vaccine. We recommend starting two to three months before your move to leave time for vet appointments, USDA endorsement within the 10-day window, airline bookings, and seasonal restrictions. Pets coming from countries the EU doesn't list as low-risk need a rabies blood test and a three-month wait, so plan for at least four months.
Cost depends on your pet's size, departure city, and routing. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Vienna?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to Austria comes with specific challenges: new EU health certificates, tight USDA endorsement windows, airline-specific pet policies, and local rules for certain breeds. Our team handles all of it, from vet coordination and USDA paperwork to airline booking, customs clearance, and delivery to your door.
Whether you're moving to Vienna for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Austria, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet's journey to Vienna? Request a free quote.
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