Dogs in Lithuania: rules, tax and travel
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be microchipped and registered in the Companion Animal Register. Other keeping rules are mostly municipal.
Leash, muzzle and fee rules are set by municipalities such as Vilnius.
Breed rules
| Where | Rule | Breeds and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole country | Restricted | American Pit Bull Terrier, mixes with American pit bull terrier bloodline VMVT order B1-5 of 9 Jan 2013 (under the Animal Welfare and Protection Law) lists the American pit bull terrier as a fighting breed: municipal permit to keep in apartment buildings, muzzle and short leash in public, breeding only with pedigree. [1] |
| Whole country | Restricted | American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Kangal Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Ovcharka, mixes with at least one listed parent Dangerous breeds (pavojingi sunys): permit from the municipality to keep in multi-apartment buildings, warning sign, muzzle and short leash in public, microchip and rabies vaccination; the list is exhaustive. [1] |
Registration and microchip
The keeper must register the microchipped animal in the Companion Animal Register. Normally done at chipping, otherwise the vet or microchipper registers it within 7 calendar days.[2]
Compulsory for dogs, cats and ferrets, within 4 months of acquiring or bringing the animal, and before it is passed to a new keeper. Chip must meet ISO 11785.[2]
Dog tax and licence
No general dog licence found. A municipal permit is needed for listed dangerous and fighting dogs kept in apartment buildings (covered by the breed file).[1]
Travelling to Lithuania with a dog
Non-commercial moves follow Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 with a maximum of five dogs, cats or ferrets.[3]
From high-risk non-EU countries: microchip, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, health certificate, owner's non-commercial declaration, and entry only through EU entry points.[4]
Required from high-risk countries: blood test at least 30 days after vaccination, at least 0.5 IU/ml, then at least 3 months before entry.[4]
Not confirmed yet: Dog tax, Liability insurance, Leash and muzzle, Tapeworm treatment, Quarantine. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- lrt.lt/naujienos/verslo-pozicija/692/2628181/egle-siugzdinyte-pavojingi-sunys-lietuvoje-ar (secondary source)
- e-seimas.lrs.lt/rs/legalact/TAD/44c7dc1338a611efb121d2fe3a0eff27/ (official)
- food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets/eu-legislation_en (official)
- vmvt.lrv.lt/en/animal-health/travelling-with-pets/cats-dogs-or-ferrets-from-all-other-non- (official)