Transport

Bringing a Horse to a Non-EU Country: Certificates, TRACES, and Import Regulations

When exporting a horse, you need to consider the destination country's requirements and the procedures at the place of origin. Using Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg as examples, find out which certificates are necessary and what you need to know about TRACES, inspections, and deadlines.

Equidara editorial team · 10 October 2026 · 5 min read

Bringing a Horse to a Non-EU Country: Certificates, TRACES, and Import Regulations — AI-generated image

If you're bringing a horse from Germany to a non-EU country as a breeding or production animal, you'll need an official veterinary certificate. You must also meet the import requirements of the destination country, as outlined by the BayernPortal of the Free State of Bavaria. The role TRACES plays and the deadlines that apply depend on the specific procedure. Therefore, the following information differentiates between Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

First, Clarify the Destination Country's Requirements

A third country is any country outside the EU. For exports from Germany, the exporter must comply with the applicable laws, regulations, standards, and procedural and import regulations of the destination country, according to the BayernPortal. If necessary, they must obtain the current requirements and present them for review to the person authorized for certification.

Certain third countries only permit exports from establishments that are already registered or approved there and appear on their respective approved establishment lists. This requirement therefore applies not only to the horse but also to its originating establishment.

For the health requirements that must be certified in Germany or the country of origin, different deadlines and quarantine conditions may apply depending on the animal species and country of origin. The BayernPortal therefore advises contacting the competent veterinary office as early as possible.

You can organize the transport itself via Move-your-animal.

Health Certificate: What's Checked Before Signing

According to the BayernPortal, the veterinary certificate provides information about the animal's general health status. It must be officially veterinary inspected, sealed, and signed. The following checks are required before signing:

Document check
Identity check
Physical examination of the animal

These checks verify the required animal health requirements. The competent authority can only issue the certificate if all conditions are met. For most certificates, you will need to present the animal.

Example Munich: Location and Examination

The procedure of the City of Munich applies only to horses within the Munich city area. If your horse has not been there for at least 14 days at the time of examination, you will need a pre-certificate or TRACES certificate from the veterinary office responsible for the previous premises.

In the Munich procedure, involved animal keepers and transporters, as well as participating companies and facilities, such as transport companies and stables, must be registered in TRACES NT.

Within 48 hours before departure, an official veterinarian will conduct an on-site inspection, checking, among other things, the horse's health status and fitness for transport. For this, you will need the equine passport. The certificate issued afterward is valid for ten days from issuance.

TRACES: Understanding the Scope of Application

TRACES NT is a system for official veterinary certificates. For movements within the EU, the Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat (BMLEH) describes the process as follows: The competent authority at the place of origin issues the certificate. After validation, the authority at the destination can view and retrieve it.

Border Crossings Between the EU and Switzerland

The following information comes from a Swiss authority, the Veterinäramt Kanton Thurgau. For border crossings of equidae between Switzerland and the EU, an official health certificate is required. Since October 18, 2021, it must always be recorded in TRACES. Previous health attestations according to Annex II are no longer accepted.

The certificate is usually valid for ten days. For horses with a validation stamp in their equine passport, it is valid for multiple border crossings for up to 30 days.

In the Thurgau export procedure, all parties involved must be registered in TRACES in advance by their locally competent veterinary authority. This includes, for example, consignors, consignees, and transport companies. The TRACES authorization number is required for searching in the system.

The complete export form must be received by the Canton Thurgau at least five working days before the planned export. Working days are Monday to Friday. Later submissions incur an express surcharge of CHF 100.

For exports from the Canton Thurgau to non-EU countries, longer lead times should be planned, according to the Veterinary Office. First, you inquire about the import regulations and the required certificates in the destination country. Then, you register the export with the Thurgau Veterinary Office.

Luxembourg: Specific Requirements and Deadlines

The following information comes from the Luxembourg administrative portal and applies to Luxembourg. Anyone bringing a horse abroad from there needs a health certificate, except in the case of a veterinary emergency.

Before applying, the equidae intended for export must be correctly identified. The establishment concerned must be registered with the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) in the SANITEL system. The portal also requires proof of competence for the driver and a Type 1 transporter authorization for short journeys or Type 2 for long journeys. For journeys longer than eight hours, the means of transport must also be approved by ALVA.

For long journeys, the company must create a journey log in TRACES.NT. Registered horses are exempt from this.

The portal specifies the following timeframes for applications and certificates:

The export application must reach ALVA at least one working day before the planned transport date.
For long journeys exceeding eight hours, the application deadline is at least two working days.
For horses, the portal states certificate validation within 48 hours before transport.
For registered horses with an FEI or FLSE license, a validity of 30 days is possible.

Every animal must undergo a clinical examination before being moved abroad. This checks fitness for transport, absence of clinical signs of contagious diseases, and correct identification. The health certificate is issued in paper form or digitally and must accompany the animal throughout the entire transport journey.

Also Consider Entry into the EU

If your horse is coming into the EU from a third country, the BMLEH lists three requirements: The third country must be listed by the EU Commission, EU requirements must be met, and an official inspection must take place at a designated border control post before entry. These requirements are distinct from the import regulations of the destination country outside the EU.

Common questions

Is a health certificate sufficient for export from Germany?

No. Additionally, the applicable import and procedural regulations of the destination country must be met. Certain third countries also require that the originating establishment be registered or approved there.

Does a certificate for border crossing between the EU and Switzerland need to be in TRACES?

Yes. According to the Veterinary Office of Canton Thurgau, the required official health certificate must always be recorded in TRACES since October 18, 2021.

When do I need to submit the export application in Luxembourg?

It must reach ALVA at least one working day before transport. For long journeys exceeding eight hours, at least two working days are required.

Does every horse in Luxembourg need a journey log for a long journey?

No. While the company must create a journey log in TRACES.NT for long journeys, registered horses are exempt from this requirement.

Sources

Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 10 October 2026.