Dogs arriving from abroad are, in addition to the Finnish Kennel Club’s Vaccination Regulations, also subject to the Finnish Food Authority’s valid regulations. Please note that the Finnish Kennel Club’s Vaccination Regulations may differ from vaccination requirements for import. Valid requirements can be found on the website of the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto).

The organizer of the event has a duty to make sure that Vaccination Regulations have been followed. A dog’s vaccination certificate must clearly state the dog’s identification details as well as the expiration date of the vaccination administered to the dog in accordance with the summary of product characteristics for the vaccine in question.

In order to attend an event, a dog must have the following valid vaccinations

Canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and infectious canine hepatitis
A dog must be vaccinated against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and infectious canine hepatitis. Vaccinations administered in puppyhood or when the dog is older are valid in accordance with the summary of product characteristics for the vaccine in question. Observe the time of onset of immunity before the vaccination becomes valid.

Rabies vaccination
A dog must be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinations are valid in accordance with the summary of product characteristics. Observe the time of onset of immunity before the vaccination becomes valid.

Time of onset of immunity for expired vaccinations against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, and rabies
If a dog’s vaccination has expired, the vaccination must in all cases be renewed at least in accordance with the time of onset of immunity mentioned in the summary of product characteristics (usually, 21–30 days).
A dog may attend events the day after the time of onset of immunity has been met. In other words, if the time of onset of immunity is 21 days, the dog may attend an event on the 22nd day after the vaccination.

Further instructions for dog owners and veterinarians

The dog must have a vaccination certificate (vaccination data in the Finnish Kennel Club’s mobile application Omakoira App, a vaccination record, or a pet passport). The vaccination certificate must include, marked by a veterinarian, the expiration date of the vaccination, identification data of the dog, and previous vaccinations.

The veterinarian must record the expiration date of the vaccination into the dog’s vaccination certificate.

The first vaccination against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, and kennel cough (quadrivalent vaccine, or trivalent vaccine and kennel cough vaccine) is recommended to be administered to a 12-week-old puppy. Booster vaccinations are administered in accordance with the summary of product characteristics. The first vaccination against rabies is administered to a puppy in accordance with the summary of product characteristics, usually at the age of 4 months.

Previous vaccinations must be recorded by a veterinarian in the pet passport or other vaccination certificate. For a dog attending events, a yearly renewal of the vaccination against kennel cough is recommended.

Dogs arriving from abroad are, in addition to the Finnish Kennel Club’s Vaccination Regulations, also subject to the Finnish Food Authority’s valid regulations.

Other regulations regarding infectious diseases

If a dog contracts canine distemper, canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, kennel cough, or some other similar infectious respiratory or gastrointestinal tract inflammation, the dog in question may not attend an event before it has been free of signs of the relevant disease for at least two weeks. The same restriction also applies to dogs of the same household showing no signs of the disease. Parasitic infections must be duly treated before a dog may attend an event.

More information about vaccination regulations can be found on Finnish Kennel Club’s website.

Requirements for arrival to Finland

Requirements set by the Finnish Food Authority must be met when arriving with dogs to Finland from abroad. These requirements include but are not limited to echinococcus treatment, which is required when arriving to Finland from most countries. Echinococcus treatment must be duly given to the dog, and the treatment must be recorded in the dog’s pet passport by a veterinarian.

All requirements for arrival to Finland can be found on the website of the Finnish Food Authority.

You do not need to declare your pet to the Finnish Customs when arriving from another EU country. However, note that Customs can inspect your pet and its documents.