Bringing Your Pet Dog from India to Germany: A Personal Journey and Guide

Relocating to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you have a beloved pet. When we decided to move to Germany, bringing our dog along was a non-negotiable part of the plan. However, we quickly learned that this journey required meticulous planning, an understanding of regulations, and a lot of patience. Here, I share our personal experience to help other pet parents make this transition smoother.

Challenges of Pet Care in Germany

Before jumping into the logistics, it’s important to note that caring for a pet in Germany differs greatly from India. Back home, we had plenty of help for walking and feeding our dog. In Germany, these responsibilities fall squarely on the owner. While it’s possible to hire help, the costs are significantly higher.

Our Story: When we first moved, we left our dog with my mother in India. The move was huge for us, and we didn’t want to bring our dog until we had a better grasp of the pet regulations here. Leaving him behind was hard, but it was the right decision at the time. Once settled, we began researching how to bring him to Germany.

DIY vs. Hiring an Agency

There are two ways to bring your dog to Germany:

1. Hiring an Agency: Agencies in India will handle everything for you. However, when we received quotes, they were over INR 350,000 (around €4,000). This high cost prompted us to explore the DIY route.
2. DIY Approach: We soon realized that while this approach is cheaper, it requires project management-like precision.

Step-by-Step Process with Some Personal Stories

1. Vaccinations and Titer Test

• Our Experience: Our dog was four years old and had always been up-to-date on his vaccinations. We consulted our vet, who advised that his annual vaccinations, especially rabies, be administered. Three weeks after the rabies shot, we took a blood sample for the titer test.
• Titer Test: The titer test was mandatory for Europe, but we found that there were no Europe-certified labs in India. After some research, we decided to send our dog’s sample to a lab in London. Our vet was instrumental in guiding us through this process. He connected us with a specialized courier service to handle the sample shipment.
• The Wait: It took around three to four weeks to receive the report. During this period, we were on edge, constantly checking our emails for updates. This was the first hurdle, and clearing it was a huge relief!

Cost: INR 15,000 (€170)

2. Flight Booking and Airline Policies

• Choosing an Airline: We explored several airlines, including Lufthansa and some Middle Eastern carriers. Emirates suited us best because they only had a crate size limit and not a weight restriction, which was crucial for our Labrador retriever.
• Booking the Space: One surprising aspect was that pet space in the cargo hold could not be booked in advance. This was nerve-wracking because it meant we were taking a risk until the final week.

Flight Cost for Dog: INR 70,000 (€800)

Round-Trip Ticket for Myself: INR 70,000 (€800)

3. Crate Selection

• Our Experience: We took our dog to a pet store to try out several IATA-approved crates. Watching him struggle to fit into smaller crates was both amusing and worrying! We ended up purchasing one of the largest crates to ensure his comfort during the long journey.

Cost: INR 40,000 (€450)

4. Pre-Departure Formalities (Last 5-7 Days)

• Vet Certificates: Five days before the flight, we visited our vet to get the necessary fit-to-fly certificate and administer EU-approved deworming treatment.
• AQCS Certificate: Visiting the Animal Quarantine and Export Center (AQCS) in Delhi was a bit of an adventure. The office was full of agents, and the process felt overwhelming at first. Thankfully, the staff was quite helpful. We were eventually granted the "Okay to Fly" certificate, which was a pivotal moment for us.

Cost for Certificates and Microchipping: INR 5,000 (€60)

5. Travel Day

• At the Airport: We arrived three hours early, expecting the worst in terms of delays. To our surprise, the process was relatively smooth, though not everyone at the airport was familiar with pet travel procedures.
• In Transit: The airline handled our dog well. In Dubai, during our layover, he was taken out of his crate for a short walk, which was a relief. When we finally reunited at Frankfurt, it was a joyous moment, albeit tinged with a bit of frustration as we found his crate left unattended near the luggage belts.

6. Arrival in Germany

• Final Paperwork: The European import form, signed by AQCS in India, was crucial. The customs officer in Frankfurt checked this thoroughly before allowing us to proceed.
• Registration and Settling In: Once in Germany, we registered our dog with the city, paid the dog tax, and took a test to prove we could handle a large breed. It was quite a change for him to adjust to the German lifestyle, but he quickly adapted to the fresh air and new routines.
• Dog Insurance: To be safe, we had arranged dog insurance before his arrival, which gave us peace of mind.

Miscellaneous Costs: INR 20,000 (€225)

Final Cost Breakdown

• Titer Test: INR 15,000 (€170)
• Microchip & Certificates: INR 5,000 (€60)
• Crate: INR 40,000 (€450)
• Flight Cost for Dog: INR 70,000 (€800)
• Own Round-Trip Ticket: INR 70,000 (€800)
• Miscellaneous Costs: INR 20,000 (€225)

Total Cost: INR 220,000 (€2,500)

Final Thoughts

Bringing our dog from India to Germany was not just a logistical challenge but also an emotional roller-coaster. We learned that pets are family and that their well-being is worth every effort. While the process was time-consuming and required careful planning, the joy of having our dog with us in our new home made it all worthwhile.

If you are planning a similar move, I hope this guide helps you navigate the journey more smoothly. Pets can make a new country feel like home, so don’t hesitate to bring them along!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more detailed guidance. Best of luck!