Traveling with Pets to Lithuania — Rules, Vaccines & Tips
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-10
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
For EU citizens traveling to Lithuania with pets, the EU Pet Passport is mandatory. It’s issued by your vet and must be stamped with the rabies vaccine details. Non-EU travelers (like US, Canada, Australia) need a USDA APHIS Form 7001 (or equivalent from your country) as a health certificate. You must get this signed by a vet at least 10 days before travel. The passport or certificate must be valid for the entire trip. Start this 3 months ahead—vets book up fast, and you’ll need time to get the microchip scanned and vaccine recorded. Lithuania doesn’t accept digital copies; physical docs only. If you’re coming from a non-EU country, the health certificate must include tapeworm treatment (see Vaccinations section). Don’t skip this: customs will turn you away if docs are missing or outdated.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Rabies vaccine is non-negotiable. It must be given at least 21 days before travel (not just 21 days before arrival). The microchip must be ISO 11784/11785 standard—no old-style chips. Lithuanian vets will scan it during passport issuance. For non-EU travelers, dogs need a tapeworm treatment (praziquantel) 24–48 hours before arrival. The vet must note it on the health certificate. Cats need rabies too, but no tapeworm. Check your vet’s paperwork: if it’s a “vaccine certificate” without the microchip number, it’s useless. Lithuanian customs scans all microchips; if it’s not ISO, they’ll deny entry. Get the vaccine and microchip done in that order—microchipping first, then vaccine 21 days later.
AIRLINES
AirBaltic (Lithuania’s carrier) lets small dogs/cats in-cabin if they’re under 8kg (including carrier) and fit in a carrier under 55x40x25cm. Cost: $100–$150 one-way. Cargo is for larger pets (max 40kg) at $150–$200. Lufthansa allows cabin pets under 8kg ($150–$200) but requires IATA-compliant carriers. KLM, SAS, and Finnair have similar rules: cabin pets max 8kg, cargo for bigger. All airlines need the EU Pet Passport or health certificate at check-in. Never book last-minute—AirBaltic’s pet slots fill 30 days out. Avoid budget airlines; they don’t accept pets. Always confirm with the airline 72 hours before departure—some require additional forms.
AT THE BORDER
At Vilnius Airport (VNO), head to the EU Pet Control point (not regular customs). Officers check your EU Pet Passport or health certificate, microchip scan, and rabies vaccine date. For non-EU pets, they’ll verify tapeworm treatment. If everything’s perfect, you’re through in 10 minutes. If docs are missing (e.g., no tapeworm for non-EU), you’ll be denied entry and face a 30-day quarantine at your own cost. Lithuania has zero tolerance—no exceptions. Arrive 3+ hours early; customs queues get long. Bring printed copies of all docs; digital fails on-site. No quarantine for EU pets—this is a huge relief. If you’re flying to Kaunas, same rules apply at the airport.