Which animals are considered as pets?

Chile considers a pet any animal that does not produce goods for human consumption or use (milk, eggs, skin, fur). In practice, this mainly means cats, dogs, and certain types of birds and reptiles.

What is the procedure for coming to Chile with your pet?

If you want your dog or cat to move to Chile with you, here are the documents to present at Chilean border control:

An official foreign health certificate in the language of the country and in Spanish, issued by an official veterinarian (a private practice veterinarian authorized to sign export documents on behalf of the government). 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, if there is a stopover, that your animal will be transferred directly to the connecting flight. Book all flights with the same airline so it is responsible for the entire journey, connections included. Booking each leg separately through comparison sites may be cheaper, but if something goes wrong, the airlines will blame each other and your pet is the one stuck in transit.

Also check the travel arrangements on arrival: customs tariffs and the sanitary inspection. Dogs and cats face no quarantine once they arrive in Chile, but birds do.

WARNING

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 request the sanitary agreement from the head of the División de Protección Pecuaria of the SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero). We suggest you request 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?

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

Entry Requirements

Can I bring my pet to Chile?

Yes. Dogs and cats enter Chile without quarantine as long as you present an official health certificate in Spanish, a clinical exam done within ten days of entry, proof of rabies protection, and internal and external parasite treatment done within 30 days of travel. Birds face quarantine, and other species need a certificate based on the sanitary agreement between Chile and your country of origin.

Cost and Logistics

What are the typical costs involved in pet relocation to Chile?

Budget USD 1,500-4,000 per pet in total. The airline transport fee is the biggest line item at USD 500-2,000, on top of veterinary exams and vaccinations (USD 200-400) and official health certificates (USD 100-300). If you use a professional pet relocation service, add USD 800-1,500.

How long does the entire process take?

Allow 3-4 months minimum for preparation. A primary rabies vaccination must be done at least 21 days before entry, health certificates are typically valid 10 days, and document processing can take 2-4 weeks in each country.

Are there pet-friendly airlines you recommend?

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.

What happens if documents are rejected at the border?

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

Do I need a professional pet relocation service?

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.

Can I bring multiple pets at once?

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.

What vaccinations are required besides rabies?

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.

Are there breed restrictions for dogs entering Chile?

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.