28/07/2026
If you're thinking about adopting a street dog or cat while visiting Albania and taking it home to an EU country, please make sure you follow the legal requirements.
The rules exist to protect both animal and public health. Depending on the country of destination, your pet may need:
A microchip.
A valid rabies vaccination (given after the microchip).
A rabies antibody (titer) test if required.
An official Animal Health Certificate or other required travel documents.
Entry through the correct procedures and customs declaration.
Please do not rely on offers of "quick" or "easy" pet passports. Buying or using a fake pet passport or false veterinary documentation is a criminal offence in many countries. It can lead to fines, criminal prosecution, confiscation of the animal, quarantine, refusal of entry, or other legal consequences depending on the circumstances.
Most people who rescue animals genuinely want to help, and that's wonderful. The best way to give an animal a safe future is to ensure the adoption and travel are done legally and responsibly.
Before travelling, always check the import requirements of the country you are returning to, as they may differ depending on where the animal comes from.
Let's protect both the animals we rescue and the countries we bring them into by following the law.
Why are the rules so strict?
The main reason is to prevent diseases such as:
Rabies (the most important concern).
Parasites and other infectious diseases.
Diseases that could spread to people or other animals.Buying or using a false EU pet passport, including one obtained on the black market (for example, falsely claiming it was issued in Greece), can lead to serious legal consequences.
Depending on the circumstances, authorities may investigate offences such as:
Forgery or use of forged documents.
Customs offences.
Smuggling or illegal importation of animals.
Fraud or making false statements to authorities.
Violations of animal health legislation.
The exact criminal charges and penalties depend on the country and the facts of the case. In Sweden, penalties can range from fines to imprisonment for more serious document fraud or smuggling offences. Authorities can also:
Refuse the animal entry.
Place it in quarantine.
Return it to the country of origin.
In some cases, if there is a serious disease risk and no safe alternative, euthanasia may unfortunately be considered under animal health laws
