Bringing Your Pet to Frankfurt, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Frankfurt involves navigating the EU's pet travel requirements, from microchipping and rabies vaccination to the right health certificate for entry into Germany. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you, coordinating with airlines, ground handlers, and German border officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you're moving to Frankfurt for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Germany, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Frankfurt
Recommended
FRA
Germany's largest airport, with a dedicated animal handling center
- Distance from city center7.5 miles (12 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, dedicated Animal Lounge
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from most major hubs
- Best forRelocations to Frankfurt and central Germany or comfort stop layover
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Why airport choice matters
Frankfurt Airport is one of the world's busiest hubs for live animal transport, with a dedicated Animal Lounge offering climate-controlled holding and veterinary oversight. Because FRA has direct service from most major US hubs, Starwood routes most Frankfurt relocations nonstop whenever the airline and schedule allow. That means shorter travel times and fewer handoffs for your pet.
Traveling to or from Frankfurt with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Frankfurt?
Germany 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 Germany 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 Germany 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 Germany
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.
Germany also bans the import of Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, and crosses of these breeds. Individual German states can restrict additional breeds. Limited exceptions exist, including for visits of four weeks or less and for certain service dogs.
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?
Frankfurt Airport (FRA), about 7.5 miles southwest of the city center, is the clear choice for most Frankfurt relocations. It's home to the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, a dedicated facility for live animal cargo with climate-controlled holding and on-site veterinary support.
On arrival, your pet's microchip and health certificate are checked by veterinary border officials, 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. If paperwork is missing or incorrect, your pet could be quarantined or sent back, which is why we review every document before departure.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Frankfurt, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Frankfurt has direct service from most major US hubs, which makes nonstop routing possible for many relocations. Lufthansa, Germany's flag carrier, bases its hub at FRA and has extensive experience carrying pets as cargo. Several other airlines also fly nonstop from the US, though not every carrier 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.
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 Edinburgh?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to Germany comes with specific challenges: new EU health certificates, tight USDA endorsement windows, breed restrictions, and airline-specific pet policies. 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 Frankfurt for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Germany, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet's journey to London? Request a free quote or learn more about our process.
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