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Planning your move to Indonesia with your pets

Typically, the most common pets being brought into Indonesia are dogs and cats. Rabbits and other small mammals are allowed, but there are strict regulations in place, mainly around the control of rabies.

All dogs and cats entering Indonesia must be quarantined upon arrival. How long the quarantine lasts will depend on the point of entry, the country of origin, and the completeness of your documentation.

You should consult a professional pet relocation specialist for details, as the process often changes, and your preparations should begin several months before your move to allow time for vaccinations, blood tests, permits, and approvals.

Once you've arrived, pets must be declared to the quarantine officials at the animal quarantine center. If you are importing an animal other than a dog or cat, you should first check whether it is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (), as additional permits or restrictions could well apply.

Types of pets in Indonesia

There are a lot of animals in Indonesia, and different rules apply to different species. Legally, and commonly kept in homes across the country, you'll find dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits are all popular pets. If you're keeping primates, reptiles, rare native birds and parrots, then you'll need specific legal permits to do so. Meanwhile, ducks, chickens and goats may live close to homes but are considered livestock, not pets.

Vaccines and tests required for pets in Indonesia

To import a pet into Indonesia, you'll need an official health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country you will be leaving. While microchipping is not legally mandatory, it's quite useful and recommended. If you do have this, then the microchip should comply with.

Rabies vaccination is also compulsory. The original rabies vaccination certificate must clearly state:

• The microchip number.
• Date of the vaccination.
• Validity period.
• Confirmation that the vaccine is an inactivated strain.

On top of this, a rabies antibody titration test (FAVN test) is needed. The blood sample has to first be analyzed by an approved laboratory, and the results need to show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Timing the vaccination, blood sampling and travel is really important, because there are often minimum waiting periods depending on your country of origin. Again, you should check this out with your pet relocation specialist.

As standard, your pets must also be vaccinated against other common diseases. For dogs, these will include distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus (DHLP). Meanwhile, cats are generally required to be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia (FVRCP). These vaccinations must have happened at least 30 days prior to departure.

Pet import permits in Indonesia

All pets that enter Indonesia will need an import permit issued by the Indonesian agricultural and quarantine authorities. The permit is valid for a limited period (around 30 days), and your applications should be submitted well in advance.

Documents commonly required include:

• A copy of the owner's passport.
• A veterinary health certificate.
• The rabies vaccination certificate.
• The FAVN test results.

Approval of this will probably take around two weeks if your documentation is complete.

Health certificate and endorsements required for pets in Indonesia

The health certificate must be issued by an accredited vet shortly before you travel (usually within 4–5 days of departure). This certificate must confirm that the animal shows no clinical signs of contagious or infectious diseases, including rabies.

Depending on your country of origin, the certificate might also require endorsement by a government authority (for example, a USDA endorsement in the United States).

Regional considerations and entry points for pets in Indonesia

Indonesia's pet import rules vary by region and may well change in response to public health concerns. Some regions have stricter controls due to rabies prevention measures.

Importation into areas such as Bali is possible. Still, there will be additional procedures, which may include entry via another approved location first, an extended quarantine, or some very specific routing requirements. These regulations are applied cautiously, and approval is never automatic.

Because of these regional differences, it's really important that you confirm the latest entry rules for your intended destination before you travel.

After arrival in Indonesia

After quarantine clearance, we recommend that you:

• Register your pet with a local veterinarian.
• Keep all vaccination records up to date.
• Follow the local rabies prevention guidelines.

Local pet insurance options are quite limited, so many expats end up relying on international coverage or self-insure for their veterinary expenses.

Adopting a pet in Indonesia

As you may have gathered by now, importing pets to Indonesia is a costly, time-consuming business that's not easy. Because of this, many expats do choose to adopt locally. Indonesia has a heartbreakingly large population of stray animals, and there are a lot of fantastic rescue organizations operating in major cities and expat hubs.

Adoption still comes with responsibilities, including vaccination, sterilization, and ongoing veterinary care, but it can be a really practical and rewarding alternative that's making a difference.

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