New requirements for importing pets from Montenegro and Serbia to the EU in 2026

Key data

Importers and breeders working with Montenegro and Serbia have a regulatory change to manage from now on. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1169 amends Annex VIII of Regulation 2021/404 and updates the entries of both countries in the list of third countries from which consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets are authorized to enter the European Union.

The regulation has direct application in all Member States, which means it does not require any national transposition: it is already in force and enforceable from June 1, 2026, although it was published in the EU Official Journal on June 12, 2026.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1169 updates the entries for Montenegro and Serbia in Annex VIII of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, which is the general framework regulating which third countries, territories or zones are authorized to export companion animals—dogs, cats and ferrets—to the European Union.

The specific changes affect two dimensions:

• Health conditions: The animal health requirements that animals from Montenegro and Serbia must meet in order to enter the EU are updated.
• Authorized territorial zones: The zones or areas within Montenegro and Serbia from which export of these species to the EU is permitted are reviewed.

The regulation directly amends Annex VIII of Regulation 2021/404, which is the reference text that operators must consult to verify what conditions apply to each country of origin. Any consignment of dogs, cats or ferrets from Montenegro or Serbia that does not meet the new conditions may be retained or returned at the point of entry to the EU.

Economic and operational impact

For operators who regularly work with Montenegro and Serbia, this change has immediate operational consequences and potentially costly if not managed in time.

• Risk of border retention: If the documentation does not reflect the new health requirements or if the animals come from zones that are no longer authorized, the consignment may be retained or returned. This involves costs for accommodation, animal care, logistics management and, in the worst case, total loss of the consignment.
• Urgent document review: Health certificates, documents of origin and agreements with suppliers in Montenegro and Serbia must be reviewed to ensure they comply with the new conditions of the updated Annex VIII.
• Impact on the supply chain: Breeders and traders who have long-term agreements with establishments in these countries must verify that their suppliers are located in territorial zones that remain authorized.
• No known transitional period: The regulation entered into force on June 1, 2026, even before its official publication (June 12, 2026), which reduces the margin for adaptation.

Who does it affect?

• Importers of companion animals who bring dogs, cats or ferrets from Montenegro or Serbia to any EU Member State.
• Breeders who acquire breeding stock or pedigree specimens from these two countries.
• Specialized transporters in the movement of live animals from third countries to the EU.
• Traders and pet shops that import directly or through intermediaries from Montenegro or Serbia.
• Customs agents and freight forwarders who manage the clearance of companion animal consignments at EU entry points.
• Official veterinarians at border control posts who must apply the new admission criteria.

Practical example

A Spanish breeder who regularly imports pedigree puppies from Serbia has an agreement with an establishment located in a specific area of the country. With the entry into force of Regulation 2026/1169, they must verify two things before processing the next shipment:

1. That the area where their Serbian supplier is located continues to be listed as an authorized zone in the updated Annex VIII of Regulation 2021/404.
2. That the health certificates accompanying the animals comply with the new health conditions established for Serbia in that annex.

If the breeder does not verify these two points and sends the consignment with documentation based on the previous requirements, the animals may be retained at the border control post at the point of entry to the EU. This involves additional costs for animal accommodation and care, management with veterinary authorities and, potentially, the return of the entire consignment to Serbia.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated Annex VIII of Regulation 2021/404 to verify the new health conditions and authorized territorial zones for Montenegro and Serbia. The consolidated text is available on EUR-Lex.
2. Contact suppliers in Montenegro and Serbia to confirm that their establishment is located in a zone that remains authorized and that they can issue health documentation in accordance with the new requirements.
3. Review and update health certificates and other documentation accompanying animal consignments, ensuring they reflect the new requirements of Regulation 2026/1169.
4. Inform customs agents and freight forwarders you work with of the regulatory change, so they manage clearance in accordance with the new conditions.
5. Temporarily halt shipments in progress that have not been verified under the new requirements, until confirming they comply with Regulation 2026/1169, to avoid border retention.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601169