Bringing horses to Sweden
This text applies to horses, donkeys, zebras and all crossings of those species. These are all referred to as horses below. The information here is a general overview. For more details please contact the Board of Agriculture.
From EU countries and from Norway, Andorra and the Faeroe Islands
The horses shall be examined by a veterinarian
Horses that are brought to Sweden shall be examined by an official veterinarian in the country they come from. This examination shall take place within 48 hours before loading the horses into the transport.
The veterinarian must sign a health certificate showing that the animals are healthy according to EU health requirements. This certificate is issued in the electronic system TracesNT.
Data on foals younger than six months and travelling with their mother can be included in the consignment together with the mare. The foal must be marked with a transponder.
Relaxed health certificate requirements for horses travelling between Nordic countries
Horses that are to compete in certain competitions or participate in breeding evaluations in Sweden, Denmark, Finland or Norway do not always need a health certificate for travelling between these countries.
When you go to and from the event you must be able to show that the horse is to participate, for instance by showing a starting list. You also need a self declaration. You must return to the country of origin within 10 days of leaving the same country.
If you already have a valid health certificate for the horse you do not need any other documents.
The horses need passports
All EU horses older than six months need a horse passport. This is a document of identification that you i.a. need to show to the veterinarian who issues the health certificate. You should always bring the horse passport when you are travelling with your horse.
More information about horse passports.
Import from Norway, Andorra or the Faeroe Islands must be notified
When you bring horses to Sweden from Norway, Andorra or the Faeroe Islands you need to notify the customs office where you cross the border. Apart from this, the EU rules apply.
From non-EU countries except Norway, Andorra and the Faeroe Islands
Health requirements depend on whether the horses are brought to Sweden to stay, or if a horse is brought back after having been outside the EU for no more than 30 days. Required testing and analyses depend on what diseases are present in the country from which the horse is brought to Sweden.
The following always applies
The horses must be examined by an official veterinarian in the country they come from. This examination takes place on the day they are loaded onto their transport vehicle.
The veterinarian must issue a health certificate showing what, if any, tests and analyses need to be made before the horse is brought to Sweden. This certificate is valid for ten days.
You need to keep the health certificate for six months so that you can show it to an official veterinarian, for instance if there is need to trace a certain disease.
The horses need identification documents
The horse needs a horse passport or some other approved document of identification that you i.a. need to show to the veterinarian who issues the health certificate. If the horse is to remain in Sweden or in some other EU country for more than 90 days, this is considered permanent import. In this case you need to obtain a horse passport after import.
More information about horse passports.
Enter Sweden through an approved border inspection post
Horses from non-EU countries except Norway, Andorra and the Faeroe Islands may only be brought to Sweden through an approved border inspection post. Please note that our border inspection posts only accept horses that arrive by airplane. Horses that arrive by ship, for instance from Iceland, need to be taken to a Danish port and enter the EU there.
You need to notify the border inspection veterinarian of the arrival of the horses at least one working day in advance.
If you bring horses from non-EU countries to Sweden via another EU country, you notify entry to the border inspection post where the horses are to enter the EU.
Notify the import to customs when you bring the horses across the border into Sweden.
Journeys longer than eight hours require a travel plan
If your planned journey is expected to take more than eight hours, you need to draw up a travel plan. This travel plan needs to be approved by the official veterinarian in the country the horses come from.
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