Traveling with a dog outside Europe is always somewhat more challenging than moving within the EU. Even more so when it’s to South America and involves a long intercontinental flight. Paraguay is among the countries not often mentioned by travelers with dogs, but with good preparation it is a manageable destination. At the same time, it offers things for travelers with dogs – waterfalls, short treks and city parks.
In this article we look at the official requirements for traveling with a dog from the EU to Paraguay, explain what needs to be taken care of before departure and when returning to Europe, and supplement this with our personal experience from the flight from Madrid to Asunción, during which our dog Ibo traveled with us. This experience showed that sometimes it’s better to have more paperwork than the official rules require.
Paraguay from the perspective of traveling with a dog
Paraguay is not a member of the European Union and, in terms of veterinary regulations, is considered a third country outside the EU. This means that the rules on the free movement of animals do not apply to travel with a dog and entry and return are subject to specifically defined requirements.
The good news is that compared to some other South American countries, Paraguay has relatively clear and manageable entry requirements. The key, however, is thorough preparation well before departure.
Preparing the dog for the trip to Paraguay
Before flying to Paraguay we had to undergo several examinations and administrative procedures so that we could set off on such a long journey with our dog with peace of mind.
The most important included:
- the dog had to have identification by microchip,
- valid rabies vaccination,
- Test for leishmaniasis – an insect-borne disease that occurs in South America.
- Blood test for rabies antibodies (titer) – necessary especially for a smooth return to the EU.
- Fecal test for parasites – confirmation of the dog’s health status.
- Final veterinary check-up before departure, in which the veterinarian confirms that the dog is fit to undergo air transport.
- international veterinary certificate on the dog’s health.
These examinations require some lead time, so it’s important to start preparing several months before the planned departure. The results of these examinations must be certified by the state veterinary authority. The results are recorded in the international veterinary certificate and their correctness is confirmed by the state veterinarian with an official round stamp. We recommend having this form officially translated into the official language of the destination country, in the case of Paraguay into Spanish.
Our personal experience: flight from Madrid to Asunción with a dog
We flew to Paraguay from Madrid to Asunción. It was a long intercontinental flight during which our dog Ibo traveled with us.
Before departure we had all the necessary documents arranged – veterinary certificates including the rabies antibody test (titer), the leishmaniasis test, fecal test, EU Pet Passport, certification from the state veterinary authority and the certificates required by the airline. Even with thorough preparation, this is a moment that brings natural stress – especially if the dog is flying such a distance for the first time.
The flight itself proceeded without major complications. Upon arrival in Paraguay there was a veterinary and customs check, which focused mainly on the completeness of the documents. This is where something happened that no one had prepared us for. The official required us to hand over all the documents presented. Since we had plans to continue from Paraguay to Bolivia with Ibo, we didn’t want to give up the originals. Fortunately, Iva had prudently made one copy of all the documents before our departure. In the end the official accepted the copy and we kept the important originals in our hands. So everything finally went smoothly and only with very minor delays. Those might possibly not have occurred if there had not been a language barrier between us and the official.
Another important observation is the fundamental difference in the validity period of rabies vaccination in the EU and in most South American countries.
Within the European Union, rabies vaccination is generally considered valid for 3 years if the vaccine is approved for multi-year validity and the manufacturer’s vaccination schedule has been followed. Conversely, in Paraguay and most South American countries, rabies vaccination is usually recognized only for a 12-month period regardless of the type of vaccine used.
In practice this means that a dog with a valid three-year vaccination in the EU may be considered unvaccinated in South America if the vaccination was not carried out within the last 12 months. This difference is important to consider especially for longer stays and when planning a return to Europe.
Returning to the EU: what’s essential
When returning from countries outside the EU, which include Paraguay, stricter conditions must be met than, for example, when returning from Balkan countries.
Crucial is especially the blood test for rabies antibodies (titer), which must be performed before leaving the EU or during the stay in Paraguay in an approved laboratory. Return to the EU is possible no earlier than three months after the blood sampling.
Without meeting this condition, the dog’s entry into the EU may be refused or quarantine may be ordered.
We did not meet this last requirement 100%. Ibo did have the blood test for rabies antibodies before our departure from Slovakia, but, although only just, it was less than three months before our return. Fortunately, on our return to the EU no one checked this. The only procedure during the check was scanning Ibo’s microchip.
Practical tips in brief
- Start preparing for the trip several months in advance.
- Check the current entry requirements with your veterinarian, the embassy, and the airline.
- Have all documents both printed and stored digitally.
- An official translation of the documents into Spanish can save you a lot of time.
- Do not underestimate the health examinations – they serve not only the authorities but also the safety of the dog.
- Bear in mind that returning to the EU can be administratively more demanding than the entry into Paraguay itself.