Pet entry requirements: Dog → South Korea
These are the requirements for entering South Korea with a dog, based on a departure from Germany/the EU. Requirements can change — always confirm with the relevant authority before you travel.
🔴 Required
Import permit Required
Quarantine notification to APQA on arrival; 10+ animals need advance approval
Microchip Required
Microchip mandatory for dogs and cats of all ages, ISO-compliant (ISO 11784/11785); the number must appear on the health certificate. Other chips: importer must bring their own scanner, otherwise a new chip is implanted.
Rabies vaccination Required
Yes – from 90 days; inactivated vaccine; at least 30 days before entry
Minimum age / young animals Required
From 90 days.
Health certificate Required
Health certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country is mandatory; it lists date of birth, microchip number, titer result with date and laboratory, issuing agency, issue date, name and signature, and a statement of health. If the exporting country is an EU member, the EU pet passport may replace the certificate. Without it: return to origin at owner's cost. (No issue window stated.)
Breed restrictions Required
No import ban; 5 "fighting dogs" with owner conditions: American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa + crosses
🟡 Recommended
Rabies titer test Not required
Not required – Germany is on the APQA list of rabies-free countries (as of 2024-01-04)
Other tests Not required
No additional standard tests
Parasite treatment Not required
No general requirement in the APQA conditions — verify locally
Quarantine Not required
Release at ICN with complete documentation; otherwise quarantine (~10 days)
Registration Recommended
Mandatory dog registration (from 2 months) for owners resident in Korea
🐾 Local rules (in-country)
These apply on the ground in the destination country — to everyone, not as an entry condition — and depend on the breed and situation (e.g. public transport, listed breeds).
Muzzle / leash On site
Listed breeds: muzzle/leash obligation in public
⚠️ Notes & grey zone
Grey zone
Whether Germany counts as rabies-free for Korea (then no titer needed) is shown only by the list in the hwpx attachment of the APQA page (as of 2023-04-04, Germany listed); the attachment cannot be stored as raw text. APQA itself says the list changes in real time and the status must be checked before entry. Hence no level for rabies_titer/quarantine.
Notes
Titer rule (not captured as a level, see unconfirmed): dogs/cats aged 90 days or older from countries that are NOT rabies-free need a rabies neutralising antibody titer >= 0.5 IU/ml (FAVN/RFFIT, approved laboratory or exporting-country authority, blood drawn at most 24 months before arrival). Exempt: under 90 days or origin in a rabies-free area (list). If not met: extended quarantine (average 10 days) at owner's cost. Ten or more animals need advance notification.
Related destinations in Asia & the Middle East
China · Hong Kong · India · Israel · United Arab Emirates
Airlines flying this route
From data on flown routes — not a pet-policy guarantee. Check the airline's own pet policy before booking.
Asiana Airlines · Korean Air · Lufthansa
Check this route & airlines in detail →Authority: Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA, 농림축산검역본부)
Read at the responsible authority on 30/09/2026.
Check your specific route & airlines →For informational purposes only. Regulations change frequently — verify with the relevant authorities before travel.