In order to ensure adequate protection against rabies, the animal is required to be vaccinated against rabies and be tested for rabies antibodies.
- The sample is taken at the earliest 30 days after the primary dose.
- A veterinarian approved by the competent authority of the country of departure takes a blood sample for the test and makes a referral to an EU-approved laboratory chosen by the owner.
- The sample is examined in an EU-approved laboratory either in the EU or outside the EU. The antibody levels must be at least 0,5 IU/ml. In questions about the blood sample and other questions related to antibody testing, get directly in contact with the laboratory.
- The veterinarian marks the result of the antibody test on the animal’s health certificate.
- Travel is possible at the earliest three (3) months after the date of sampling for the antibody test if the antibodies are deemed to be at a sufficient level.
It is not necessary to repeat the antibody test in the future if another dose of the rabies vaccination is given in accordance with the recommendations of the vaccine manufacturer. If the vaccination expires, the antibody test must be taken again and the waiting period re-starts.
Animal from an EU country
If the animal has been tested for rabies antibodies before it is exported outside the EU and a registered veterinarian has entered the information on the EU pet passport, it is not necessary to wait another three months after the blood sample has been taken until the animal can be brought back into the EU. However, the interval between vaccination and blood sampling must be at least 30 days. If the rabies vaccination entered in the EU pet passport has expired before the animal returns, the animal needs a new rabies vaccination, a 30-day waiting period, a new antibody certificate, a waiting period of 3 months, and a health certificate from the country of visit. Only EU veterinarians are allowed to make rabies vaccination and antibody result entries in the EU pet passport.