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- Chile with pets
22/04/2019, updated 12/08/2025
Which animals are considered as pets?
Any animal that cannot be at the origin of consumable or usable-by-man products (milk, eggs, skin, fur...) is considered a pet. Cats, dogs, and certain types of birds and reptiles are mainly concerned.
What is the procedure for coming to Chile with your pet?
Do you own a pet and want it to move to Chile with you? We describe in detail below the documents to present at the Chilean border control so that your dog or cat is accepted in Chile:
- An official foreign health certificate in the language of the country and in Spanish, issued by an official veterinarian, that is to say a private practice veterinarian who can sign a document on behalf of the government to export an animal. If your animal comes from Europe, the "European passport" (European version of the health booklet for pets) is sufficient and acts as a health certificate.
- Clinical examination carried out within ten days before entry to Chile, indicating that the animal is free of communicable and parasitic diseases.
- Rabies protection: anti-rabies vaccination done at least 21 days before entry to Chile (for primary vaccinations) OR rabies anti-body titration higher than or equal to 0.5 IU/mL, done within 12 months before the entry of the animal into the country (method used for puppies and kittens under 60 days). Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age.
- Internal and external pest control, indicating both the active ingredient and the effective date, and carried out within 30 days before the trip.
For air transport, check in advance that the airline accepts pets and that if in case of a stopover, the animal will be directly transferred to the other flight. For this, try to book all flights on the site of the same airline, which will thus be required to take care of all connections. Some sites may offer more attractive rates, but by booking each flight separately. Yet, in case of problems, the different companies will blame each other ...
Make sure you also check the travel arrangements (payment of customs tariffs, sanitary inspection). For dogs and cats, there is no quarantine once they arrive in Chile, but there is one for birds.
Important restrictions: Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats (unless 5th generation removed from pedigree) cannot be imported under regular regulations and require advance permission. While not mandatory, microchip identification meeting ISO Standard 11784 or 11785 is highly recommended for pet identification.
Pets other than dogs and cats must meet other requirements, especially for birds and ferrets.
For other animals, you must provide to Chilean border control a health certificate in the language of origin and in Spanish, issued by the official health authority of the country of origin. This certificate depends on the sanitary agreement (sanitary conditions required for entry into Chile) established between the country of origin and Chile.
You can ask the sanitary agreement to the head of the División de Protección Pecuaria of the SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero). We suggest you ask for it at least two months before your arrival in Chile. You can find more information on the SAG website.
What is the procedure for leaving Chile with your pet?
Do you want to leave Chile with your pet?
To leave Chile with your pet, you must obtain an export health certificate (Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, CZE) issued by the SAG, which certifies that the animal meets the entry requirements requested by the country of destination. You can find the documents to provide and the conditions specific to each country here.
You can apply for the CZE at any SAG office or through the new digital platform at mascotas.sag.gob.cl (available in Antofagasta and Metropolitan regions), presenting a health certificate and proof of anti-rabies vaccination. The certificate will be issued within 24 to 48 hours. The cost is 0.41 UTM for one pet and 0.22 UTM for each additional pet. In compliance with Law No. 21.020/2018 on "Responsible ownership of pets and companion animals," your pet must be registered or in registration process in the Chilean National Pet Registry. The SAG will verify that your animal is registered by one of the following means:
- Verification of the animal identification number available here.
- Proof of registration or application for registration in the National Pet Register.
If you are returning to a European Union country with your pet, you should know that you do not need a CZE, if your pet was previously in Europe. When leaving Chile, you just need to present your pet's European passport. Chile is one of the countries exempt from rabies anti-body titration to import an animal into the EU.
Be aware that the CZE is valid for 21 days starting from the date of issue. If you leave Chile for less than 21 days with your pet, the CZE alone will allow it to return to the country. On the other hand, if you leave the country for more than 21 days, you must obtain a new health certificate issued by the official health authority of the country in which you go to come back to Chile with your pet.
Frequently asked questions about moving to Chile with pets
Cost and Logistics
Total costs typically range from 1,500-4,000 USD per pet, including: veterinary exams and vaccinations ($200-400), official health certificates ($100-300), airline pet transport fees ($500-2,000), and professional pet relocation services if used ($800-1,500).
Allow 3-4 months minimum for preparation. Key timelines: rabies vaccination must be done 30+ days before travel, health certificates are typically valid 10 days, and document processing can take 2-4 weeks in each country.
LATAM, Air France-KLM, and Lufthansa have good pet transport programs with direct connections to Santiago. Avoid budget airlines as they typically don't transport pets. Book early as airlines limit pet passengers per flight.
Your pet may be quarantined at your expense until proper documentation is provided, or in worst cases, returned to the country of origin. This is why working with official veterinarians and double-checking requirements is crucial.
Practical Considerations
While not required, professional services are highly recommended for first-time international pet moves. They handle complex paperwork, coordinate with airlines, and provide guidance through the process, reducing stress and error risk.
Yes, but airlines typically limit 2-3 pets per passenger. Each pet needs individual documentation and airline booking. Multiple pets significantly increase costs and complexity.
Beyond rabies, pets typically need current vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus (dogs), or feline calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and panleukopenia (cats). Consult with your official veterinarian for complete requirements.
Chile doesn't have specific breed restrictions, but airlines may have their own policies for certain breeds, especially those with breathing difficulties. Check with your chosen airline early in the planning process.
Do you want to go more in detail?
I wrote the Chile Handbook for Foreigners for anyone and everyone looking to move permanently and enjoy life in Chile. It's a 265-page book that goes over all aspects of relocating to Chile. Here is what you get:
✅ Practical tips based on 7-year relocation experience
✅ To-do lists to help you start
✅ Last updated in 2025
