According to the Pet Regulation (No. 576/2013), it is possible for the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, in exceptional situations, to derogate and to authorize a non-commercial movement of pet animals, which at the time of entry into Denmark do not comply with the conditions laid down for a non-commercial movement.
Derogation is only possible for non-commercial movements
According to article 32 of the Pet Regulation, it is only possible to apply for derogation for movements of dogs, cats or ferrets, and only in case of non-commercial movements.
You cannot apply for derogation from the conditions of the movement itself (for example the blood sample or the three months' waiting period). However, you can apply for a permit to bring your pet animal to Denmark, even if it does not yet comply with the condition for a non-commercial movement.
If the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration grants a permit, one of the conditions is that the animal is isolated under official supervision for the time necessary to fulfill the conditions of the Pet Regulation.
We recommend that you apply for derogation well ahead of your expected departure time, if you know that your pet animal cannot comply with all conditions at the time of departure. The later you apply, the bigger the risk that the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration will not have enough time to evaluate your application and come to a decision.
What is a non-commercial movement?
The movement of the pet is considered non-commercial, when all of the following conditions apply:
- The movement of the animal is caused by the movement of the owner, because the animal either
- accompanies the owner or
- the movement of the animal takes place up to five days before or after the movement of the owner, accompanied by an authorized person.
- The animal is not to be sold.
- The ownership of the animal is not to be transferred to another person.
If all of the above-mentioned condition are not met, the entry of the pet animal must comply with the normal import requirements. In such cases, there is no possibility for derogation.
Isolation under official supervision
Be aware that during the isolation period, the animal must not leave the place of isolation. Furthermore, it must not come into contact with extraneous animals and persons.
If there are conditions that have not yet been fulfilled, for example vaccination or blood test, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration will require that such measures are carried out during the isolation period. This means that an authorized veterinarian must be present and perform the various measures at the place of isolation.
All measures associated with the isolation of the animal shall be applied at the expenses of the owner.
Your application for derogation must include the following information
- Why you are applying for derogation, and why this is an exceptional situation.
- The planned time of entry into Denmark, and information about the person with whom the animal is travelling.
- Where and how the animal has been kept in the country of origin.
- How the animal is moved to Denmark, directly or transiting other countries.
- The address of the proposed place of isolation.
- The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration assesses if the proposed place of isolation is suitable.
- Depending on the assessment, the place of isolation may take place in for example the owner's home, in the home of a family member or a friend, or in an actual quarantine facility.
- It is preferable if the place of isolation is a house with a fenced garden, unless the pet animal for example is a cat that can be kept indoor throughout the isolation period. In such cases an apartment is suitable.
- However, it depends entirely on the risk assessment carried out by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. The risk assessment will take into account the country of origin and its rabies status, as well as the vaccination status of the animal and the length of the required isolation period.
- In case the isolation is planned to be carried out in a quarantine facility, a copy of the booking confirmation must be included.
- Information on the conditions that the animal does NOT meet at the time of entry into Denmark.
- Readable copies of the animal's documents confirming the conditions that the animal meets at the time of entry. For example the id-number, rabies vaccinations, blood test results.
- Copies could be PDF files or easily read image files. However, make sure the files do not get too large.
- Information on any measures that are planned or have been carried out, for example blood test, but where the results are pending.
The application must be sent via our contact form:
Go to the Contact Form
If the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration requires more information, you will be contacted.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration makes a decision
When the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has received all necessary information regarding your application, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration will carry out a risk assessment.
You will then receive a decision from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
If the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration grants a permit allowing the movement of the animal(s) into Denmark, despite the lack of compliance to the conditions for the non-commercial movement, it will state the length and the terms of the isolation.
Please note that a permit from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration is not a guarantee for entry of your pet into Denmark. The control carried out on arrival of the pet animal will assess whether there is a basis for allowing the animal entry into Denmark. In case the control reveals non-compliance between the information on which the permit was granted and the results of the control, the animal might not be allowed entry.
In case the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration does not grant a permit to carry out a non-commercial movement, you will receive a decision informing you hereof.
If your pet does not meet the conditions for non-commercial movement, and you do not receive a permit for derogation, you must not move your pet into Denmark.