Bringing your dog or cat to Sweden from the USA in 2026
Last updated: September 6, 2026: verified against official sources.
Sweden follows the EU-wide pet travel regulation. One detail worth knowing: Sweden is strict about the rabies vaccination timeline, and your EU health certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before arrival. If you are moving to Sweden, book your USDA-accredited vet appointment well in advance: the 21-day rabies wait plus endorsement time means starting 6-8 weeks before your flight is safest.
Sweden does not require the tapeworm treatment
Sweden is not on the EU list of tapeworm-free countries that require treatment, because the fox tapeworm is already present on Swedish territory. The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) states there are no deworming requirements for dogs and cats entering Sweden, and strongly recommends the treatment anyway. Do not expect the border to ask for it, and do not skip the other documents because of that: the microchip, the 21-day rabies wait and the 10-day certificate all still apply.
Recommended, not required
The 4 steps
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) first: Your pet must be microchipped BEFORE the rabies shot. A vaccination given before the chip does not count.
- Rabies vaccination ≥ 21 days before arrival: The vaccine must be given after the microchip and at least 21 days before entering the EU. It must stay valid on travel day.
- USDA-endorsed EU health certificate ≤ 10 days: A USDA-accredited vet issues the EU health certificate, then USDA APHIS endorses it. Valid 10 days from issue to arrival in the EU.
- Arrive via an approved EU point of entry: Sweden designates only Stockholm-Arlanda and Gothenburg-Landvetter. Not all airports qualify: the list is set by each country.
Sweden has only two entry points
This is the rule that decides the flight. For a pet arriving from outside the EU, Sweden designates exactly two travellers' points of entry, and no others: Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) and Gothenburg-Landvetter (GOT). A pet that lands at any other Swedish airport has no designated point of entry to clear, so the landing itself is the problem, before any document is examined.
Both have a vet desk and a direct contact, which is worth having on the day: Stockholm-Arlanda on +46 8 597 852 10 and [email protected], Gothenburg-Landvetter on 070-230 10 44 and [email protected]. The two points of entry are listed by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, and the list is published through the European Commission.
Compare that with Italy, which designates 58 points of entry, or Ireland with six. The number of designated points is a national decision, and Sweden is one of the most restrictive in the EU. If you are choosing an itinerary into Scandinavia, this is the constraint that eliminates options first.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sweden require tapeworm treatment?
No. The Swedish Board of Agriculture states there are no deworming requirements for dogs and cats entering Sweden, because the fox tapeworm is already present on Swedish territory. It strongly recommends the treatment anyway. The countries that do require it are Finland, Malta, Ireland and Norway.
Is quarantine required?
No, fully compliant pets enter without quarantine.
Can I fly into Stockholm?
Yes, Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) is one of Sweden's two designated entry points. Gothenburg-Landvetter (GOT) is the other. No other Swedish airport is a designated point of entry for pets arriving from outside the EU.
Which airports can my pet use to enter Sweden?
Only Stockholm-Arlanda and Gothenburg-Landvetter. Sweden designates two points of entry in total, which is among the most restrictive in the EU.
Official sources
- European Commission, travellers' points of entry by member state: food.ec.europa.eu, travellers' points of entry
- European Commission: food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en
- USDA APHIS: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
- Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet): mattilsynet.no