Pets in Buenos Aires

Fees

Microchip

Status

A microchip is not a strict federal requirement for entry into Argentina, but an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip (meeting ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to 11785) is strongly recommended, since it is often needed for onward or return travel and for local municipal pet registration after arrival.

Local Registration

Some municipal governments within Argentina encourage or require microchipping for local registration purposes, so it's worth checking with the relevant local municipality (intendencia/gobierno comunal) after arrival.

Vaccinations

Rabies

Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all cats and dogs over three months old, and it must be administered a minimum number of days before travel; most sources cite 21 days, though some official Argentine consular guidance references 30 days, so travelers should confirm the current minimum with their veterinarian or SENASA before booking travel.

Other Vaccines

Non-rabies vaccinations (such as distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus for dogs, or panleukopenia, feline leukemia, and feline viral rhinotracheitis for cats) are recommended by veterinarians for international travel but are not strictly required by Argentine entry rules.

Puppies Kittens

Puppies and kittens under three months old are not required to have a rabies vaccine but must meet other health certification standards instead.

Rabies Validity

The rabies shot must also be recent enough to still be valid on arrival; sources vary on whether the outer limit is one year or up to three years, so this should be reconfirmed close to travel dates.

Rabies Free Exception

Pets arriving from a country or zone recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as rabies-free may be exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement.

General Framework

Regulator

SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria) sets national entry rules; pets normally arrive via Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) in Buenos Aires.

Quarantine

There is no quarantine imposed on pets entering Argentina if the paperwork requirements are met, which is notably more relaxed than countries like Australia or New Zealand.

Import Permit

Pet dogs and cats entering Argentina accompanied by their owner do not require a separate import permit, with the main exception being pets entering from Africa or Asia.

Parasite Treatment

Requirement

Dogs and cats must be treated against internal and external parasites by a licensed veterinarian within 15 days before the health certificate is issued, using products approved by the official veterinary authority of the country of origin.

Required Documents

Core Document

The key document is an International/Official Veterinary Certificate (commonly called a CVI) issued, signed, and stamped by an accredited or official government veterinarian in the country of origin, which must then typically be endorsed by that country's national veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for U.S. pets).

Validity Window

According to recent guidance, the legalized certificate/CVI is generally valid for 60 days from issuance to enter Argentina, provided the rabies vaccination is still valid on the day of entry.

Health Certificate Timing

A general veterinary health certificate confirming the animal shows no clinical signs of disease is usually required to be issued shortly before travel (commonly cited as within about 10 days of the flight).

EU Pet Passport Note

An official EU Pet Passport (as used for intra-EU pet travel) is not the same document Argentina requires; travelers from the EU still need the country-specific International Veterinary Certificate/CVI process rather than relying on the EU passport alone.

Breed And Animal Type Restrictions

Local Level

As noted above, the City of Buenos Aires applies its own breed-specific legislation to certain breeds classified as potentially dangerous, which can require special local permits, registration, and insurance regardless of national import rules.

Other Species

Owners bringing pets other than dogs or cats (amphibians, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) should contact SENASA directly, and exotic wildlife or CITES-protected species are prohibited from import under national law.

National Level

Argentina does not publish a national banned-breed list for imports, but pet owners remain responsible for their animal's behavior.