Pet-friendly
Good to know
Good to Know
- Switzerland follows EU-aligned pet travel rules even though it isn't in the EU, so the microchip-before-vaccination sequence and the 21-day post-vaccination wait apply the same way as travel within the EU.
- Budget for an annual Swiss dog tax/licence (roughly CHF 100–200, varying by commune) plus mandatory liability insurance once you're a resident dog owner in Graubünden — this is separate from and in addition to any entry paperwork.
- If arriving from outside the EU (e.g. the US), plan for a longer lead time — a US-vaccinated dog's 'primary' rabies shot is only valid one year and the full non-EU documentation chain can take weeks to arrange properly.
- We could not independently verify specific dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or hotel policies in St. Moritz itself at the time of research — treat the town as generally aligned with Switzerland's dog-tolerant norms (leash required, common on transport, restaurant policy varies by venue) rather than assuming every business welcomes pets.
- Most of the trusted vet practices serving St. Moritz are actually based a few minutes away in Samedan or Sils Maria rather than in St. Moritz itself — completely normal for this small Alpine resort, but worth knowing before an emergency.
- Switzerland's vet costs run notably higher than many other European countries, so many long-term local owners treat pet insurance (providers like Animalia or Wau-Miau) as a practical necessity rather than a luxury.
- Dogs are welcome on the Lake St. Moritz loop path and most Engadin hiking trails, but a leash is generally expected, especially near wildlife areas.
EU Switzerland Pet Travel Requirements
- Customs
- Not all animals may be brought into Switzerland through every border crossing, and questions on customs declarations should go to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).
- Overview
- Switzerland is not an EU member but has adopted EU-aligned pet-travel rules, so the same core requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, recognised passport/certificate) apply whether coming from the EU or further afield.
- Microchip
- The animal must be identified with a non-encrypted, ISO 11784/Annex A of ISO 11785 compliant 15-digit microchip, and it must be implanted before the rabies vaccination — a vaccination given before microchipping is not considered valid.
- Quarantine
- Compliant pets are not quarantined on arrival in Switzerland; non-compliant pets risk being refused entry or confiscated at the owner's cost.
- Core Requirements
- To travel to Switzerland from the EU, dogs, cats and ferrets must generally meet three requirements: they need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a recognised pet passport.
- Owner Travel Rules
- If the owner cannot travel at the same time as the pet, an authorised person may transport the animal, but the owner must travel between five days before and five days after the pet, with a written declaration enclosed.
- Puppies And Kittens
- Puppies and kittens must generally be at least 12 weeks old for the rabies vaccine plus a 21-day wait, making the practical minimum entry age around 15 weeks; those under three months must travel accompanied by their owner or a representative.
Documents
- High Risk Countries
- Entering Switzerland from countries considered high-risk for rabies with dogs, cats or ferrets under seven months of age is not permitted, and a rabies antibody (titer) test from a designated laboratory plus a waiting period is required for animals coming from unlisted/high-risk countries.
- Non EU US Travelers
- Travellers from non-EU countries such as the US typically need an official veterinary health certificate (endorsed by the relevant government authority) rather than an EU passport, plus proof of rabies vaccination and, in some cases, a non-commercial-travel owner declaration.
- EU Or Swiss Pet Passport
- If travelling from the EU/EEA or certain listed third countries with an animal already compliant, a valid EU or Swiss pet passport is required, or, for animals not yet meeting Swiss requirements or entering for the first time, a veterinary certificate issued by the exporting country's authorities is needed instead.
Rabies Vaccination
- Sequencing
- The rabies vaccination must be done immediately after microchipping, and animals must wait at least 21 days after a primary vaccination before travelling to Switzerland.
- Minimum Age
- The first vaccination is possible from the age of 12 weeks, and it only becomes effective 21 days later.
- Primary Vs Booster
- A 'primary' vaccination (the first shot after microchipping or after any lapse in coverage) is valid only 1 year under EU-aligned rules even if a 3-year vaccine was used; a timely booster within 12 months can then be valid for up to 3 years.
Local Registration And Ownership Rules
- Control Mark
- Dogs must wear the official annual control mark/tag visibly on their collar in public places.
- Liability Insurance
- Most cantons, including Graubünden, require dog owners to carry civil liability insurance for their dog.
- Microchip And Database
- All dogs in Switzerland must be microchipped and registered in the AMICUS national database of microchipped dogs; any change of address, owner, or the dog's death must be reported within ten days.
- Large Breed And Dangerous Breed Rules
- Regulations on potentially dangerous or large breed dogs are set at the cantonal level; owners should check Graubünden's specific cantonal dog law before bringing a restricted breed.
Dog Tax And Licence
- Range Low
- CHF 100
- Range High
- CHF 200
- Requirement
- Dog owners must register their dog with their local commune or canton and pay an annual dog tax/licence, renewed annually (typically in January); unlicensed dogs can be fined.
- Typical Cost
- CHF 150
- Cost Range Note
- Nationally the dog tax typically runs about CHF 100–200 per year depending on the commune, sometimes varying by the dog's size or weight; guide and rescue dogs are often exempt or reduced.
Dog Friendly Spaces
Lake St. Moritz (Lej Da San Murezzan) Lakeside Loop Path
- Type
- park/lake walking path
- Location
- Central St. Moritz, directly on the lakefront
- Notes
- A flat, easy roughly 2.7 km loop around the lake right in town; dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash, and the path has benches and a shallow beach area.
Lej Da Staz (Lake Staz) and Stazerwald Forest Trails
- Type
- forest/lake trail
- Location
- Adjacent forest just outside central St. Moritz, an easy walk from the station
- Notes
- A short trail through the Stazerwald forest to a smaller alpine lake, popular for a dog walk and for summer swimming, reachable on foot from the St. Moritz train station.
Hahnensee Trail
- Type
- hiking trail
- Location
- Above St. Moritz, accessible from town
- Notes
- A steeper trail above town offering views over the Upper Engadin lakes, described by a local pet-friendly hotel as a good option for dog owners wanting a more challenging walk.
Typical Pet Care Costs
Routine Annual Check-up (Physical Exam, Weight, General Health)
Routine Vaccination Visit (Consultation + Core Vaccine)
Blood Test / Diagnostic Panel
Bone Fracture Repair (Surgery)
moneyland.ch dog insurance cost guide
Trusted Vets And Animal Hospitals
Centro Vet Tierarztpraxis
- Location
- Samedan (Oberengadin), approx. 6 km / 10 min drive or short train ride from St. Moritz
- Source Basis
- clinic's own official website (engadin-tierarzt.ch)
- Notes
- A small-animal practice offering diagnostics with X-ray, ultrasound, and an in-house lab; its own described specialty is surgery, and it runs a 24-hour emergency service used by both locals and holiday guests.
Clinica Alpina
- Location
- Samedan (with a sister clinic in Scuol)
- Source Basis
- clinic's own official website (clinica-alpina.ch)
- Notes
- Combines conventional veterinary medicine (surgery, orthopedics, internal medicine, gynecology) with complementary therapies such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, and homeopathy.
Vet-Engadin — Dr. Med. Vet. Anton S. Milicevic
- Location
- Sils Maria (near St. Moritz)
- Source Basis
- practice listing on axxus.ch business directory
- Notes
- Local veterinary practice for dogs, cats, and horses covering the Sils Maria / St. Moritz area; the vet also serves as an official municipal veterinarian and race-association veterinarian.
Dr. Med. Vet. Mauro Vattalo
- Location
- Samedan
- Source Basis
- regional directory stmoritz-pferde.ch
- Notes
- Practice specializing in horses and small animals, with a particular focus on dogs; the vet also works as the on-site medical officer at local dog races.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
This section has no cited sources.
More About St. Moritz
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.