How We Handle Pet Relocation to Munich from New Zealand
Relocating a pet to Munich is one of the more complex international pet moves from New Zealand. Munich sits in Bavaria, and as a major German city it’s a common destination for expats, international students, and families on corporate transfers — many of whom need reliable pet transport services to bring their dogs, cats, and other companion animals with them. PetAeron has built a pet relocation process that covers every stage of the journey, from your New Zealand front door to your Munich address.
Our pet shipping process begins with a compliance audit. We check your pet’s microchip against the ISO 11784/11785 standard required by the EU, review rabies vaccination records, confirm parasite treatment history, and identify any gaps that could delay your pet’s entry into Germany. We then coordinate with an MPI-accredited veterinarian to prepare the Export Health Certificate (EHC) required by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, and the EU Annex IV animal health certificate required for entry into Germany. We book your pet’s cargo space on the safest available route to Munich, arrange an airline-approved IATA pet crate, and manage check-in at your departure airport. Throughout the pet transport journey, you receive direct updates from our team — not automated messages.
Munich is served by Munich Airport (MUC), one of Europe’s busiest international hubs, with direct and one-stop connections from New Zealand via major transit points including Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong. PetAeron selects the route with the fewest handovers and the most appropriate layover conditions for your animal’s species, size, and temperament.
Understanding Munich & Germany's Pet Import Requirements
Germany is an EU member state, and all pets arriving in Munich from New Zealand must comply with EU-wide pet import regulations — not just German national rules. New Zealand is classified as a third country by the EU, which means a full set of import documentation is required regardless of your pet’s history or previous travel. Here is what your pet needs to enter Munich legally:
ISO-Compliant Microchip Your pet must be implanted with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip before or at the time of rabies vaccination. If the microchip was implanted after the rabies vaccination, the vaccination is considered invalid and must be repeated. PetAeron verifies microchip compliance at the start of the pet relocation process.
Rabies Vaccination A current rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs and cats relocating to Munich from New Zealand. New Zealand is not on the EU’s approved list of third countries with equivalent rabies-free status, so no exemptions apply. The vaccine must be administered after microchipping and must be valid — not expired — on your pet’s travel date.
EU Annex IV Animal Health Certificate The official EU animal health certificate (Annex IV format) must be issued by a government-authorised veterinarian within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in Munich. In New Zealand, this is an MPI-accredited vet. The certificate must include your pet’s microchip number, vaccination records, treatment history, and a declaration of fitness to travel. PetAeron coordinates this appointment and reviews the completed certificate before travel.
Tapeworm Treatment for Dogs Dogs entering Germany must be treated for Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival in Munich. The treatment must be administered by a vet and recorded in the EU health certificate with the exact date and time of treatment. PetAeron schedules this treatment to fall within the valid window for your specific travel date.
IATA-Compliant Pet Crate All pets travelling as cargo or excess baggage to Munich must travel in an IATA-compliant crate. The crate must be the correct size for your animal — your pet must be able to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. PetAeron supplies or sources the correct crate for your pet’s breed and size.
Other Species Birds, rabbits, rodents, and reptiles travelling to Munich are subject to separate EU import rules and may require CITES permits, species-specific health certificates, or advance import authorisation from German authorities. Contact PetAeron early if you are relocating a non-standard pet species to Munich.
Understanding New Zealand's MPI Pet Export Process for Munich
Before your pet can depart New Zealand for Munich, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requires an Export Health Certificate (EHC) issued by an MPI-accredited veterinarian. The EHC is a legally binding document that confirms your pet’s identity via microchip, records vaccination and treatment history, and certifies your animal is fit for international pet transport.
The EHC must be issued within a specific timeframe before departure — typically within 10 days — so the timing of your vet appointment must align precisely with your flight booking. PetAeron coordinates both: we book your pet’s cargo space first, then schedule the vet appointment to ensure the EHC is valid on travel day. We also cross-check the EHC against the EU Annex IV format requirements to ensure the document is accepted at Munich Airport without issue.
Beyond the EHC, PetAeron manages the full suite of pet export logistics: IATA crate procurement, airline cargo check-in documentation, transit country clearance checks (if your pet’s route stops in a third country), and handover to the receiving agent in Munich. Every element of the international pet relocation is tracked and confirmed before your pet’s travel date.
