The movement of pet birds is regulated by the European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131
NOTE! The conditions for non-EU countries do not apply to movements of pet birds from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City.
The maximum number of pet birds per movement is 5.
Species of pet birds
According to Part B of Annex I to Regulation 2016/429, species of birds that do not belong to the following species may be considered as pet birds:
Pet birds: individuals of bird species other than chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites (Ratitae)
Marking of pet birds
A pet bird must be marked in the country of origin with a permanent, non-removable and legible unique alphanumeric code. This may be a leg ring or a microchip. The identification mark must be applied before any vaccinations.
Permitted countries of origin for pet birds
The country of origin must be a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE). Member States can be found here: https://www.woah.org/en/who-we-are/members/
Conditions for the movement of pet birds
Pet birds may only be moved into a Member State from a non-EU country if they fulfil one of the following conditions:
they originate from a third country or territory listed in the first column of the table in Part 1 of Annex V, XIV or XIX to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, where they have been kept in isolation under official control for at least 30 days prior to the date of the non-commercial movement from that third country or territory (note that isolation can only be carried out in these listed countries);
or
they have received a complete primary vaccination course within the last six months and no later than 60 days before the date of dispatch to the Union, and where necessary revaccinated, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, with a licensed vaccine against avian influenza subtypes H5 and H7, which shall not be a live attenuated vaccine, administered by an approved veterinarian or official veterinarian of the third country or territory of dispatch;
or
in the third country or territory of dispatch
they have been kept in isolation under the supervision of an approved veterinarian or official veterinarian for at least 14 days prior to the date of non-commercial movement from that third country or territory, and
they have been subjected to a test for the detection of avian influenza H5 and H7 antigen or genome with negative results on a sample taken by an approved veterinarian or official veterinarian no earlier than the seventh day of isolation;
if these conditions are not met, the birds must be placed in an approved quarantine facility. There are no such quarantine facilities in Finland, so the conditions must be met.
In addition to the above
they have been clinically examined by an approved veterinarian or official veterinarian of the third country or territory of dispatch within 48 hours or on the last working day before movement, and have shown no obvious signs of disease and are fit for movement to the country of destination;
and
they have not been in contact with other birds between the clinical examination and departure from the third country or territory of dispatch.
The tests performed on pet birds and the vaccinations administered comply with the requirements set out in the relevant parts of the chapter on avian influenza of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Movements of pet birds after entry into the Union
Owners or authorised persons may only move pet birds that have entered the Union from a third country directly from the point of entry of travellers to a household or other place of residence in the Union, where the pet birds must be kept under official control for at least 30 days from the date of their entry into the Union and must not be taken to shows, fairs, exhibitions or other events bringing together birds during this period.
Pet birds may only be moved from a third country or third territory to a Member State via a point of entry for travellers designated by a Member State.
Pet owners or authorised persons may only move pet birds that have entered the Union from a third country or third territory directly from the point of entry of travellers to a household or other place of residence in the Union, where the pet birds must be kept separate from other birds for at least 30 days from the date of their entry into the Union.
If pet birds are not intended to be kept in isolation in the Member State of entry, the pet owner or authorised representative shall:
The person concerned must inform the final Member State of destination where the household or other place of residence where the pet birds are kept in isolation is located.
Health certificate
When entering the EU, pet birds must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of origin in accordance with the veterinary certificate set out in Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705. The certificate must be accompanied by a declaration from the owner that the movement is of a non-commercial nature and this must be attached to the health certificate. Model certificates you can find on our finnish page (see: terveystodistusmallit)
Authorised points of entry
The authorised border crossing points for pet birds in Finland are Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the Vaalimaa road.
You can find models of health certificates in the links on the right
Approved points of entry
Approved entry points for pet birds: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Pet birds are inspected at the border crossing point by Customs. Take the red line and present the bird and health certificate to Customs. The transport of pet birds through other border crossing points is prohibited
Note! Be sure to also check for any restrictions on CITES and alien species!
In addition, the import of endangered and endangered animal species is regulated in chapter 9 of the Nature Conservation Act (9/2023, in finnish and swedish).
In addition, 42 § of the Hunting Act (615/1993) provides for the import or release of game bird populations of foreign origin.