Dogs, Cats, and Reptiles In Iceland. Your questions answered!
Rachel Horne · November 10, 2021
Lots of people want to know if there are any dogs in Iceland. The answer is yes, of course!
There is some confusion about this topic because pet dogs were banned in Reykjavik between 1924 to 1984. Unless you had a special permit, you could not bring your dog into the city. But that’s no longer the case.
This article will explain why dogs were banned from the Icelandic capital for 60 years, and give you an up to date look at the laws around pet ownership in the land of fire and ice. We’ll explain the current quarantine laws and pet bans, so you can make the best plan for your four legged pals on your next vacation.
Why were dogs banned In Iceland?
Dogs were banned from Reykjavik at a time when the population was growing quickly, and there were many stray dogs in the city scavenging for food. Some of the dogs were carrying parasites that could pass to humans, including tapeworm. In the countryside, dogs were never banned in Iceland. They have played an important role in farm and family life since the Vikings imported them! People can now have dogs in Reykjavik. But you might not see many of them, because the pet of choice is more likely to be a cat. After 6 decades with no dogs around, it means that city people don’t have much of a culture of dogs as pets, though that is changing as time goes on. All dogs in Iceland must be microchipped and vaccinated, and several dog breeds are banned altogether.Which dogs are still banned in Iceland?
The following dogs are not allowed in Iceland because their breed can be dangerous if they are not properly trained.- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Argentine Mastiff
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Wolf Dogs
- Brazillian Mastiff
- Cane Corso
- Boerboel
- Presa Canario
Bringing your dog to Iceland
Many people love to travel with their furry best friend. Unfortunately, that’s not very straightforward when visiting Iceland. To bring your dog into Iceland, you must:- Have your dog microchipped
- Import your dog from an approved country (find the list on the official MAST site)
- Apply for an import permit at least 30 days in advance
- Vaccinate your dog for Rabies, Leptospirosis, Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus
- Test your dog for Brucella Canis, Salmonella, Angiostrongylus Vasorum, Rabies
- Treat your dog for Tics and Tapeworm
- Get an Iceland Veterinary Certificate signed off by your vet (An EU passport is not sufficient
- Book your dog into a quarantine center for 14 days on arrival in Iceland
- Pay the import fee (around 20,000 IKR) as well as the price of the quarantine
Dog Quarantine In Iceland
All dogs must quarantine for 14 days on coming to Iceland, which can cause them considerable distress if they aren’t used to being separated from their family. For this reason, it doesn’t make sense to bring a dog to Iceland for a shorter vacation. But if you’re moving to Iceland permanently, then it’s something for you to look into. (If you’re feeling confused, the quarantine period used to be 28 days, but it is shorter now). You have to bring your dog to Iceland via Keflavik Airport on certain approved days in the month. There are three days in the month when you can import your dog. If you are moving to Iceland, don’t worry. The two approved quarantine stations in Iceland are run by passionate and professional people who will take good care of your animals. For more information, you can do a Google Search to see recent reviews. The quarantine stations are Einangrunarstöðin í Reykjanesbæ and Mósel / Allir hundar ehf.Quarantine For Guidance Dogs
Guidance dogs do have a slightly different quarantine rule. According to MAST (the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority), a guide dog is: “ a guide dog for the blind, a hearing dog for the deaf or an assistance dog for people with mobility impairments, epileptics and diabetics, which helps individuals with the aforementioned diagnoses to navigate their surroundings” This dog must have passed official training approved by MAST. Unfortunately, an emotional support dog would not qualify. Approved guidance dogs can quarantine at home with you instead of at the station.Bringing cats to Iceland
The process for bringing a cat to Iceland is pretty similar to bringing a dog. You will need to apply for an import license, and your cat will be quarantined for 14 days on arrival in Iceland, at your expense. Your cat must be microchipped, vaccinated, and tested for various illnesses. You’ll find the exact requirements for importing your pet to cat on the MAST website, depending on which country you come from.