Bringing Your Pet to Copenhagen, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Copenhagen involves navigating the EU's pet travel requirements, from microchipping and rabies vaccination to the right health certificate for entry into Denmark. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you. We coordinate with airlines, ground handlers, and Danish border officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you're moving to Copenhagen for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Denmark, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Copenhagen
Recommended
CPH
Scandinavia's largest airport and SAS's main hub
- Distance from city center5 miles (8 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a designated Traveller's Point of Entry for pets
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from multiple major hubs
- Best forMost pet relocations to Copenhagen
BLL
Billund, in central Jutland
- Distance from city center160 miles (260 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a designated Traveller's Point of Entry for pets
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forRelocations to western Denmark
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Why airport choice matters
Pets arriving in Denmark directly from outside the EU must enter through one of three designated Traveller's Points of Entry: Copenhagen, Billund, or Aalborg. Entry through any other airport or port is illegal. Copenhagen is the only one with direct US flights, and it sits just outside the city. Starwood routes most Copenhagen relocations directly into CPH, 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 Copenhagen with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Copenhagen?
Denmark follows the European Union's pet travel rules. Getting the steps in the right order is what lets pets enter without quarantine. For full country-level requirements, see our Denmark 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 days. 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 Denmark doesn't require tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the EU health certificate. A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues it, and the USDA endorses it. For Denmark, the USDA must ink-sign and emboss the certificate, so the original paper document has to travel with your pet. New EU non-commercial certificates take effect October 1, 2026, and new commercial certificates take effect October 17, 2026. Under the new non-commercial certificate:
- The document is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it.
- 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.
Once you've arrived, Danish law requires every dog to be registered in Dansk Hunderegister, the national dog register. Dog owners must also carry mandatory liability insurance (ansvarsforsikring).
Commercial vs. non-commercial pet travel to Copenhagen
Your pet can travel under a non-commercial certificate if both of these apply:
- You're on the same flight, or someone you authorize travels with your pet within five days of your own trip.
- 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.
If you have a larger or guarding breed, check with our team early. Denmark has one of Europe's broadest breed bans. Under the Danish Act on Dogs, 13 breeds and their crosses cannot be owned, bred, or brought into the country, even by tourists:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- American Bulldog
- Boerboel
- Kangal
- Central Asian Ovtcharka
- Caucasian Ovtcharka
- South Russian Ovtcharka
- Tornjak
- Sarplaninac
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is the right choice for nearly every Copenhagen relocation. It sits on the island of Amager, about 5 miles south of the city center. It's the hub for SAS and a designated Traveller's Point of Entry, so your pet can arrive close to home without extra connections or ground transfers.
Billund (BLL) is also a designated point of entry, but it's about a three-hour drive from Copenhagen and has no direct US service. It makes more sense for moves to western Denmark.
On arrival, your pet's microchip and health certificate are checked by the Danish veterinary authorities. 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 Copenhagen, and How Should I Choose a Route?
SAS flies nonstop to Copenhagen from many US cities, including New York, Newark, Boston, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. American add seasonal nonstop service. Other options connect through European hubs such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or London. Not every airline accepts pets as 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.
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. That leaves time for vet appointments, USDA endorsement, 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 Copenhagen?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to Denmark comes with specific challenges:
- New EU health certificates
- Original ink USDA endorsement
- Designated points of entry
- A strict national breed ban
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 Copenhagen for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Denmark, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet's journey to Copenhagen? Request a free quote.
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