Bringing Your Pet as an Expat to Korea 2026: Rabies Titer Papers, Quarantine Rules and the 3-Million-Won Fine

Bottom line: If your company is relocating you to Korea and you're bringing your dog or cat, start the rabies antibody test and the export-country government quarantine certificate months before your flight. Missing paperwork means your pet can't come home with you from the airport — it goes into mandatory quarantine, or gets sent back.

If you didn't know: skipping pet quarantine on arrival can draw a fine of up to 3 million won. Cats from Australia that don't meet extra conditions face 21 days of mandatory quarantine. The facility fee for that holding period is not in official data.

Korea will not let a pet in without a quarantine certificate issued by the exporting country's government. That certificate must list the microchip number, the animal's date of birth, and the rabies antibody test result — a titer of 0.5 IU/mL or higher, drawn within 24 months of arrival. A certificate issued in an EU country can be replaced with an EU Pet Passport.

If the paperwork falls short, the animal is held in quarantine at a separate facility; if it's missing entirely, the animal can be sent back. Some countries face extra requirements — cats from Australia need to meet additional Hendra/Nipah virus conditions, and failing that means 21 days of mandatory quarantine. Dogs and cats from Malaysia also need extra documents; check with the relevant office for specifics. Bringing 10 or more animals requires advance notice and facility-use approval, but a family bringing one or two pets does not.

If the paperwork isn't ready months in advance, your pet could be stuck in quarantine right when your family needs to move into your new home. · Verified 2026-11-09 · Source Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency