Rabies vaccination duration in different EU countries - help needed

[maz]

I would like to compile a list of which rabies vaccination regime is used in each EU country, ie annual or 3-yearly boosters.

If you are resident in an EU country or have personal knowledge on the subject, please can you post your country’s name together with the interval required between booster vaccinations in this thread. Thank you.

 

[bobandjanie]

Portugal. Not every vet, check the practice. We went here
VetMinho - Clinica Veterinária
Rua de Santa Marinha 95, 4920-071 Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal
+351 251 099 100

VetMinho - Clinica Veterinária · Rua de Santa Marinha 95, 4920-071 Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal

★★★★★ · Emergency veterinarian service

maps.app.goo.gl

It was €15 for a 3 year jab. It is a good vets, friends use it. Janie

 

[toledo]

Spain is a yearly one that's in benidorm

 

[bellabee]

A quick Google brought up the following info re France and Belgium:

Voyager avec des animaux de compagnie

Folder Voyager avec des chiens, chats, furets Se déplacer en Belgique Voyager depuis la Belgique vers un autre État membre de l’UE (et assimilés) et revenir Voyager depuis un État membre de l’UE vers la Belgique

www.health.belgium.be

This is the website of a vet specialising in animal travel and transportation. No doubt, there will be official, Government guidance somewhere, too. I'll try to find it.

According to the above linked site, in France the first booster must be given within a strict, on year, time limit for all vaccines.
After that, it gets more complicated, depending on which vaccine is used. For most of the vaccines authorised in France, the period for boosters is annual, but in the case of the Versiguard vaccine, it is 3 years.

The official, Belgian Government guidance is given here

Voyager avec des animaux de compagnie

Folder Voyager avec des chiens, chats, furets Se déplacer en Belgique Voyager depuis la Belgique vers un autre État membre de l’UE (et assimilés) et revenir Voyager depuis un État membre de l’UE vers la Belgique

www.health.belgium.be

So, every 3 years for Novivac and Versican Plus, but a year after the first vaccination, then every 3 years for Rabisin.

If we can actually use the European Passports, as hoped, I think Belgium might be good place to get it done.

The thought also crossed my mind that, as the vets at La Mayeraille sur Seine make something of a specialism of pre-return worming, they may be amenable to an approach regarding the issue of French Passports to UK owners.

 

[bellabee]

Just done a search for info re Germany. Again, I haven't found an official, Government site, but I did find this, which is a very comprehensive guide produced by a pet food manufacturer.

Einreisebestimmungen mit Hund in EU-Länder | FRESSNAPF

Was solltest du über die Einreisebestimmungen mit Hund in EU-Länder wissen? Lies alle Bestimmungen und Besonderheiten in diesem Ratgeber nach.

www.fressnapf.de

In summary, it's the same as in France and Belgium, in that the timing of boosters depends on the recommendations of the vaccine manufacturer.
It also claims that, according to latest veterinary opinion, yearly vaccination may be harmful, and advises that owners ensure that their dog receives a vaccine requiring 3-yearly boosters, with booster dates correctly noted in the Passport.

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[maz]

Thanks to everyone for the information provided so far.

From bellabee research, it seems that perhaps the period between boosters is determined by the vaccine manufacturers rather than the individual countries’ governments. So perhaps I need to ask for a bit more information from Funsters: as well as the country and vaccine duration, please can you provide the name of the vaccine given to your dog?

Many thanks to bellabee for the time and effort you are taking with this research.

 

[bobandjanie]

Thanks to everyone for the information provided so far.

From bellabee research, it seems that perhaps the period between boosters is determined by the vaccine manufacturers rather than the individual countries’ governments. So perhaps I need to ask for a bit more information from Funsters: as well as the country and vaccine duration, please can you provide the name of the vaccine given to your dog?

Many thanks to bellabee for the time and effort you are taking with this research.

In Spain it can in some areas be two years, it is mainly one though. But it's not 'which' vaccine based, it is because of regional rules. I know this from a) speaking to vets here and b) checking the vaccines used on the manufacturers base when I have seen other people's passport examples Janie

 

[maz]

It also claims that, according to latest veterinary opinion, yearly vaccination may be harmful, and advises that owners ensure that their dog receives a vaccine requiring 3-yearly boosters, with booster dates correctly noted in the Passport.

Interesting. It used to be (still is?) the case in the UK that vets would insist on giving the viral vaccines (parvo, distemper and hepatitis) every year, even though the vaccines had been proven to last for 3 years plus. It is only the bacterial vaccines (lepto and kennel cough) that need to be given every year.

 

[maz]

Another point to consider for those of us planning to obtain EU-issued pet passports is whether vets in certain countries insist on giving a further rabies booster before issuing said passport. From what I’ve read, this seems to be the case in Germany in particular.

 

[Jim]

Interesting. It used to be (still is?) the case in the UK that vets would insist on giving the viral vaccines (parvo, distemper and hepatitis) every year, even though the vaccines had been proven to last for 3 years plus. It is only the bacterial vaccines (lepto and kennel cough) that need to be given every year.

Jazz has had her first DHP jabs, then one annual booster aged 15 months. Thats it. No more. Kennel cough vaccines are a joke and healthy dogs don't really need it. I worry a little about Lepto, but the possible complications massivley outweigh the chances of getting the disease. This summer she is four and I'll get a titre test done and see where we are. But I'd be happiest if she never has another vaccination.

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[gus-lopez]

Legally required yearly here in Murcia region of spain for both rabies & DHppil, for dogs, cats & ferrets. worming every 3 months
The vaccines used are the same if used in the UK for 3 yearly jabs.

 

[maz]

Legally required yearly here in Murcia region of spain for both rabies & DHppil, for dogs, cats & ferrets. worming every 3 months
The vaccines used are the same if used in the UK for 3 yearly jabs.

Interesting, thank you. So, as Janie mentioned, in your case it’s a regional rule rather than a vaccine manufacturer’s recommendation.

 

[Oscar]

Jazz has had her first DHP jabs, then one annual booster aged 15 months. Thats it. No more. Kennel cough vaccines are a joke and healthy dogs don't really need it. I worry a little about Lepto, but the possible complications massivley outweigh the chances of getting the disease. This summer she is four and I'll get a titre test done and see where we are. But I'd be happiest if she never has another vaccination.

We're of a similar mind, when we lived in Norfolk I worked at a vets, the vet owner told me that after the dog's initial inoculations & then the booster a year later, he didn't think there was much benefit having ongoing annual boosters. This was not the official story given to clients!

Elaine

 

[Helen Ariel]

Interesting. It used to be (still is?) the case in the UK that vets would insist on giving the viral vaccines (parvo, distemper and hepatitis) every year, even though the vaccines had been proven to last for 3 years plus. It is only the bacterial vaccines (lepto and kennel cough) that need to be given every year.

Wondering about this. We're in Portugal now and so thinking of going to get Beech an eu passport but she's not due Rabies at the moment.

 

[maz]

Wondering about this. We're in Portugal now and so thinking of going to get Beech an eu passport but she's not due Rabies at the moment.

I wouldn’t have the DHP or Lepto boosters recorded on a pet passport, just on an ordinary vaccination record card.

I don’t see why your existing rabies vaccination details couldn’t just be copied across onto a new pet passport, but it seems some countries (notably Germany) insist on a fresh vaccination.

You are in an ideal position to do some on-the-spot investigating into obtaining an EU-issued pet passport as a UK resident! Please let us know what you find out.

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[emjaiuk]

.................The thought also crossed my mind that, as the vets at La Mayeraille sur Seine make something of a specialism of pre-return worming, they may be amenable to an approach regarding the issue of French Passports to UK owners.

Back in the summer I emailed the vet at La Mailleraye and asked, but had no response, which surprised me as all our appointments etc. are arranged via email, with the request/query sent in English and Google French, and the usually prompt reply usually in English.

 

[Minxy]

Thanks to everyone for the information provided so far.

From bellabee research, it seems that perhaps the period between boosters is determined by the vaccine manufacturers rather than the individual countries’ governments. So perhaps I need to ask for a bit more information from Funsters: as well as the country and vaccine duration, please can you provide the name of the vaccine given to your dog?

Many thanks to bellabee for the time and effort you are taking with this research.

Ours both had Nobivac which is for 3 years.

 

[John.]

Fuerteventura is every 12 months.

 

[Helen Ariel]

Vet in Lagos, Portugal was happy to transfer the rabies vacc from Beech's uk passport to her new eu one and it has 2 years left on it.

 

[Oscar]

Vet in Lagos, Portugal was happy to transfer the rabies vacc from Beech's uk passport to her new eu one and it has 2 years left on it.

That's great news - did you have to provide details of your residency or portuguese fiscal number? If not, then it's something we would like to do as Oscar's passport is almost full & the vets here in the UK are wanting upwards of £75 to give us a new one . We've got our numero de identificacao fiscal for Portugal - assume they don't expire?

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[Helen Ariel]

That's great news - did you have to provide details of your residency or portuguese fiscal number? If not, then it's something we would like to do as Oscar's passport is almost full & the vets here in the UK are wanting upwards of £75 to give us a new one . We've got our numero de identificacao fiscal for Portugal - assume they don't expire?

They didn't ask for proof of residency though there was a space on the vets form for fiscal number we left it blank.

 

[gus-lopez]

Interesting, thank you. So, as Janie mentioned, in your case it’s a regional rule rather than a vaccine manufacturer’s recommendation.

It isn't a rule but a law.
The legal requirement in all regions of spain is for Parvovirus, distemper & rabies vaccinations yearly. all others are just advisable
https://www.hospitalveterinariglories.com/mandatory-vaccinations-dogs/?lang=en

All my dogs once registered at the vets & vaccinated are entered on to a database & recive a plastic card detailing all info . It is far easier to carry that than the animals veterinary book which you are legally required to do.

I don’t see why your existing rabies vaccination details couldn’t just be copied

Possibly because the stcikers from the vaccine administered have to be removed & stuck in to the pet passport which is then signed, dated, stamped & then encapsulated. So as long as they could transfer them over , I don't see how unless cut out , it could be done

 

[maz]

It isn't a rule but a law.
The legal requirement in all regions of spain is for Parvovirus, distemper & rabies vaccinations yearly. all others are just advisable
https://www.hospitalveterinariglories.com/mandatory-vaccinations-dogs/?lang=en

All my dogs once registered at the vets & vaccinated are entered on to a database & recive a plastic card detailing all info . It is far easier to carry that than the animals veterinary book which you are legally required to do.

Possibly because the stcikers from the vaccine administered have to be removed & stuck in to the pet passport which is then signed, dated, stamped & then encapsulated. So as long as they could transfer them over , I don't see how unless cut out , it could be done

Portugal sounds much easier.

 

[Helen Ariel]

It isn't a rule but a law.
The legal requirement in all regions of spain is for Parvovirus, distemper & rabies vaccinations yearly. all others are just advisable
https://www.hospitalveterinariglories.com/mandatory-vaccinations-dogs/?lang=en

All my dogs once registered at the vets & vaccinated are entered on to a database & recive a plastic card detailing all info . It is far easier to carry that than the animals veterinary book which you are legally required to do.

Possibly because the stcikers from the vaccine administered have to be removed & stuck in to the pet passport which is then signed, dated, stamped & then encapsulated. So as long as they could transfer them over , I don't see how unless cut out , it could be done

Vet transferred all details hand written and stamped and signed. Sticker remains in uk passport but to point out the previous rabies vaccination from 2017 didn't have a sticker was hand written in the uk passport and have travelled fine with that several times.

 

[gus-lopez]

but to point out the previous rabies vaccination from 2017 didn't have a sticker was hand written in the uk passport and have travelled fine with that several times.

You were lucky then as it isn't legal. No stickers or stickers & no encapsulation is not allowed.
That's why it is done to prevent alterations, which are also not allowed.

Portugal sounds much easier.

Rules are the same everywhere. Passport has to be filled in identically.

I always took in day date, time to ensure they entered them correctly for the worming. always checked the rabies also . but missed this one ?

What's wrong with it ?

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[bellabee]

I was wondering whether you have to continue with the same vaccine, each time your dog has the booster. Specifically, we're considering rescuing a dog from Spain, at some time in the future. It would have a Spanish passport, but we wouldn't be comfortable with having annual boosters. We'd much prefer to have boosters done in Belgium, at 3-yearly intervals. Does anyone know whether this would pose a problem?

 

[Nomadian]

You were lucky then as it isn't legal. No stickers or stickers & no encapsulation is not allowed.
That's why it is done to prevent alterations, which are also not allowed.

Rules are the same everywhere. Passport has to be filled in identically.

I always took in day date, time to ensure they entered them correctly for the worming. always checked the rabies also . but missed this one ?
View attachment 454578
What's wrong with it ?

Black ink?

 

[Theonlysue]

Black ink?

Vet unique number missing on middle stamp?

 

[Oscar]

Oscar had a rabies booster in September (a year early) as insurance prior to having a titre test. No vaccine sticker on this occasion, the Vet said it was not now necessary, but her signature and unique vet number are recorded

 

[maz]

You were lucky then as it isn't legal. No stickers or stickers & no encapsulation is not allowed.
That's why it is done to prevent alterations, which are also not allowed.

Rules are the same everywhere. Passport has to be filled in identically.

I always took in day date, time to ensure they entered them correctly for the worming. always checked the rabies also . but missed this one ?
View attachment 454578
What's wrong with it ?

My dog’s UK pet passport also has a handwritten entry for one of the rabies boosters - this has never caused a problem either. It had to be handwritten as the original pet passport had to be re-done - it had been completed in BLACK ink, and I didn’t know any better at the time. Fortunately this was pointed out and the passport replaced before it was ever used.

Out of interest I have just looked back in my files at the APHA ‘How to complete pet passports’ booklet. Ok, it was dated May 2018 but the principles of completion remain the same. As you can see, handwritten info is perfectly acceptable.

Interestingly I then read p5 of the same booklet, which confirms that no permanent residential address is needed for an owner to be issued with a pet passport.

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