Moving to Chile with pets

Overview of moving with pets to Chile

Chile is a genuinely pet-welcoming country. A February 2026 report on pet arrivals at Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez Airport recorded 9,968 pets entering the country in 2025, with dogs accounting for 80% of arrivals and cats for 19%. That volume reflects a well-established infrastructure for pet imports, but it should not be mistaken for a straightforward process. Relocating a pet to Chile requires careful coordination between your home country's veterinary authority and SAG, and the timeline is tighter than many owners expect.

The standard recommendation is to begin preparations 4 to 6 months before your departure date. Rabies vaccination windows, parasite treatment timing, and document endorsement procedures all have strict validity periods, and missing a single deadline can mean rescheduling your pet's travel entirely. The good news is that once the paperwork is in order, the arrival process at Chilean ports of entry is straightforward, and the country's post-arrival requirements are manageable compared to many destinations.

Beyond the border, Chile has a robust legal framework governing pet ownership. The Ley Cholito (Law 21.020 on Responsible Pet Ownership) applies to all residents, including expats, and sets out clear obligations around microchipping, registration, and responsible care. Understanding these rules before you arrive makes settling in considerably easier.

Can you bring your pet to Chile?

Dogs, cats, and ferrets can be imported into Chile as accompanied baggage, in-cabin pets, or cargo without a special import permit. For most expat families, this covers everything they need. Bringing more than five personal pets, however, may trigger commercial import rules, depending on both the airline and the country of origin, so it is worth checking with SAG and your carrier in advance if you are traveling with a larger group of animals.

Exotic animals, birds, and reptiles fall into a different category entirely. These species require a special import permit that must be requested from SAG at least 3 months before arrival. The process is more complex and the documentation requirements more extensive, so early contact with SAG is essential if you are traveling with anything outside the standard dog, cat, or ferret category.

One specific rule applies to very young animals: puppies and kittens under 60 days of age that cannot yet receive a rabies vaccination may still enter Chile, but only if they have undergone a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titration Test (RNATT) showing a minimum result of 0.5 U.I./ml performed within 12 months prior to entry, as established by the Ministry of Agriculture's Resolution N°6.056/2009. This is a niche requirement, but owners of very young pets need to plan for it well in advance.

Chile does not operate a federal breed ban for import purposes. However, once a dog is residing in the country, local municipalities actively regulate what the law classifies as "potentially dangerous breeds," including Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Pitbulls. Owners of these breeds should research the specific rules of their destination municipality before finalizing their move.

Pet import requirements for Chile

SAG sets out five core requirements that must be met before your pet can enter Chile. Each has its own timing window, and all of them must be properly documented on the health certificate or EU Pet Passport. Missing any one of them can result in your pet being held at the border.

• Microchip: SAG's border inspection process does not rigidly enforce microchipping as a standalone entry requirement, but Chile's Ley Cholito makes microchipping compulsory for all pets residing in the country. A 15-digit ISO microchip implanted before travel is the practical standard, and it must be in place before any vaccinations are administered so that the chip number appears on all subsequent health records.
• Rabies vaccination: Must be administered at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before entry. The timing window is strict: a vaccine given fewer than 30 days before travel is not accepted.
• Internal parasite treatment: Must be administered within 30 days before entry. The health certificate must explicitly state the active ingredient, dosage, and date of application.
• External parasite treatment (ticks and fleas): Must also be administered within 30 days before entry, with the same level of documentation required.
• Clinical examination: A private veterinarian must examine your pet within 10 days of the travel date and certify that the animal shows no signs of infectious or parasitic disease. This examination is what validates the health certificate and is one of the most time-sensitive steps in the process.

Good to know:

If you are traveling with a puppy or kitten that received its rabies vaccine less than 30 days before the planned entry date, the travel date will need to be pushed back. Build this window into your planning timeline from the start.

Required documents for pet import to Chile

The document you will need depends on where you are traveling from. All incoming pets require either an Official Zoosanitary Certificate or, for pets arriving from EU member states, an EU Pet Passport.

The Official Zoosanitary Certificate must be issued in both the origin country's language and Spanish, and it is valid for only 10 days from the date of issue to the date of entry in Chile. This validity window is one of the tightest in the process: the clinical exam must be completed within 10 days of travel, and the certificate itself expires 10 days after issuance. Coordinating these two timelines with your vet and travel dates requires precision. The certificate must be officially endorsed by your home country's veterinary authority before departure.

For pets traveling from the United States, the relevant document is USDA APHIS Form 7001. The USDA's Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) is accepted by Chile, which means an accredited veterinarian can issue the certificate electronically and the USDA can endorse it digitally, removing the need to mail physical documents to a USDA office. Details on this process are available on the USDA APHIS website.

For pets arriving from EU countries, the EU Pet Passport is accepted in place of the Zoosanitary Certificate, provided the 10-day clinical exam is properly recorded in the passport before travel.

In all cases, you will also need to carry:

• Proof of rabies vaccination
• Certificates of internal and external parasite treatments
• Your own passport and flight itinerary, which SAG uses to verify the destination address for the mandatory home confinement period
• A complete set of photocopies of all documents to hand to the SAG inspector on arrival

Preparing your pet for the move to Chile

The logistics of pet relocation are one side of the equation; your pet's physical and psychological readiness is the other. Starting the veterinary preparation timeline 4 to 6 months before departure gives you enough runway to accommodate vaccine validity windows, arrange any required titer tests for very young animals, and complete all treatments within their required timeframes without last-minute pressure.

The travel crate is worth investing in early. It must be IATA-approved and large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Buying the crate weeks before travel and leaving it accessible at home, with familiar toys and bedding inside, helps your pet associate the crate with comfort rather than stress. By travel day, many pets that have been crate-trained this way settle into the carrier with minimal anxiety.

Regarding sedation: most airlines, including LATAM, prohibit sedating pets on flights due to the respiratory risks associated with altitude and pressure changes. If your pet has significant anxiety around travel, speak with your vet about non-sedation options well in advance of the journey.

Temperature matters too. Airlines apply heat and cold embargoes that can restrict pet travel during extreme weather conditions, particularly for cargo hold travel. Check the seasonal policies of your carrier when booking, and consider how the timing of your move might interact with these restrictions.

Travel options for pets flying to Chile

How your pet travels to Chile depends primarily on its size and weight. The three main options are in-cabin travel, checked baggage in the hold, and air cargo.

In-cabin travel is available on major carriers, including LATAM Airlines, for small dogs and cats. The combined weight of the pet and carrier cannot exceed 7 kg (15 lbs). The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and meet the airline's dimension requirements.

Checked baggage in the hold is available for larger pets weighing up to 45 kg (99 lbs), including the crate. The hold is temperature-controlled, and the pet travels in the baggage area of the same aircraft as its owner. This is the most common option for medium to large dogs.

Air cargo applies to pets traveling unaccompanied or to those exceeding the 45 kg combined weight limit. Cargo travel requires the involvement of a customs broker (Agente de Aduanas) on arrival in Chile to clear the pet through SAG and customs. This adds complexity and cost to the process and is best handled with professional support.

Pets can also enter Chile overland from neighboring countries, including Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia. The same SAG-endorsed paperwork is required at land border crossings as at airports. The documentation requirements are identical; only the port of entry changes.

Pet transport companies for relocating to Chile

For pets traveling as air cargo, or for owners relocating from countries with complex veterinary export procedures, hiring a professional pet transport company is a practical option worth considering. Look for companies that are members of IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association), the industry's main professional body, which sets standards for animal welfare and documentation handling.

A full-service pet relocation company typically handles flight booking, SAG documentation verification, IATA-compliant crate provision, and customs clearance at Santiago Airport. Door-to-door relocation to Chile generally costs between USD 2,000 and USD 5,000, depending on the pet's size, country of origin, and route. While this represents a significant outlay, it significantly reduces the risk of documentation errors that could delay or prevent your pet's entry.

Costs of relocating your pet to Chile

The total cost of moving a pet to Chile varies considerably depending on the pet's size, the country of origin, and whether you handle the process yourself or engage a professional service. The main cost categories to budget for are as follows:

• Veterinary preparation: Microchipping, rabies vaccination, parasite treatments, and health certificates typically cost between USD 100 and USD 300 in total, though this varies by country and veterinary practice.
• Government endorsement fees: These vary by country. In the United States, digital endorsement through the USDA's VEHCS system costs USD 38.
• Airline fees for international flights: LATAM charges approximately USD 250 for in-cabin pet travel on international routes. For pets traveling in the hold as checked baggage, fees range from USD 150 to USD 300 depending on the weight and route.
• SAG inspection on arrival: If your pet arrives as accompanied baggage, whether in-cabin or in the hold, the SAG inspection at the airport carries no fee.
• Cargo handling and customs broker fees: If your pet travels as unaccompanied air cargo, expect to pay handling, warehousing, and customs broker fees in the range of USD 150 to USD 350 on arrival in Chile.
• Professional pet relocation service: Door-to-door, full-service relocation costs between USD 2,000 and USD 5,000 for most standard routes.

Good to know:

Airline pet fees are subject to change and vary by route, weight class, and booking class. Always confirm current fees directly with your carrier when booking your pet's travel.

Travel day and arrival in Chile

On the day of travel, feed your pet a light meal 4 to 6 hours before departure. Freeze water in the crate's water bowl the night before so it melts slowly during the journey, providing hydration without the risk of spills during loading and unloading.

On arrival at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport in Santiago, or at any regional port of entry, proceed directly to the SAG inspection desk before exiting the baggage claim area. Present all original endorsed documents along with a complete set of photocopies for the SAG inspector to retain. If your pet holds an EU Pet Passport, present this in place of the Zoosanitary Certificate. The inspector will verify the documentation, check that the clinical exam falls within the required 10-day window, and clear the animal for entry.

The process is generally efficient for owners who arrive with complete documentation. The most common delays at this stage stem from missing photocopies, a clinical exam date falling outside the 10-day window, or parasite treatment certificates that do not specify the active ingredient and dosage. Having a checklist of all required documents reviewed by your vet before departure is the simplest way to avoid these issues.

Quarantine requirements in Chile

Chile does require a form of quarantine for incoming pets, but it is not a state-run confinement facility. SAG's official entry authorization rules require that, once in Chile, all incoming animals remain in confinement at the private address listed on their import paperwork for a period of 10 days. This is referred to as confinamiento (home confinement) rather than quarantine in a veterinary or government facility.

During these 10 days, your pet should remain at your registered address and avoid contact with unknown animals. Public parks, dog runs, and communal areas are off the table until the confinement period ends. Because the isolation takes place at your own home, there are no daily facility costs associated with this requirement. It does, however, mean planning your first two weeks in Chile around keeping your pet close to home, which is worth factoring into your arrival schedule.

Settling your pet in Chile

Once the 10-day home confinement period ends, one of your first priorities should be to register your pet with Chile's National Pet Registry (Registro Nacional de Mascotas y Animales de Compañía). Registration is a legal requirement under Ley Cholito (Law 21.020 on Responsible Pet Ownership), and it applies to all dog and cat owners residing in the country, including expats.

Registration requires that your pet already have a microchip implanted, which is one reason microchipping before travel is so strongly recommended. You can register in person at your local municipality (Municipalidad) by presenting a veterinarian's certificate confirming the microchip, or online if you have a ClaveÚnica digital identity credential.

Failure to register your pet carries real financial consequences. Fines under Ley Cholito range from 1 to 30 UTM (Unidad Tributaria Mensual). With the UTM currently valued at approximately CLP 69,600 (USD 75), fines for non-compliance can reach up to CLP 2,088,000 (USD 2,250). Registering promptly after arrival avoids this risk entirely.

Pet services and supplies in Chile

Veterinary care in Chile's major cities is well-developed and generally more affordable than in North America or Western Europe. In Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción, standard veterinary consultations cost around CLP 20,000 to CLP 40,000 (USD 21 to USD 43). Specialist care is available in larger urban centers, and the quality of general practice veterinary medicine is reliable.

Premium international pet food brands are widely available in pet stores and supermarkets throughout the country. If your pet relies on a specific prescription diet, it is worth consulting a local vet after arrival, as highly specialized imported formulas may not be stocked locally and may require veterinary assistance to source.

Pet supplies, including IATA-approved crates, harnesses, leashes, and grooming products, are readily available in urban areas. Chile's growing pet culture, driven in part by the 12.5 million registered pets nationwide, has produced a well-supplied retail market for animal care products.

Pet-friendly living in Chile

Finding pet-friendly rental accommodation in Chile has become noticeably easier in recent years. Many new apartment buildings in Santiago and Concepción now advertise pet-friendly amenities, including pet washing stations and dedicated dog areas as standard features, reflecting a broader shift in how the residential property market caters to pet owners. That said, it is still worth confirming pet policies in writing with landlords before signing any lease, as building-level rules can vary even within pet-friendly complexes.

Traveling with your pet by car in Chile comes with specific legal obligations. Under Chile's Traffic Law (Ley 18.290), dogs are strictly prohibited from traveling in the front seat. In the back seat, they must be secured with a specialized harness or transported in a crate. Violations of this rule carry fines of 0.2 to 0.5 UTM, equivalent to approximately CLP 14,000 to CLP 35,000 (USD 15 to USD 38).

On public transport, the Santiago Metro permits small pets provided they travel in a secure, closed carrier. Larger dogs are generally not permitted on Metro services.

Expats who have not previously lived in Latin America may notice a distinctive feature of Chilean neighborhoods: community dogs, known locally as perros comunitarios. These are street dogs that are fed and informally cared for by residents and local businesses. Under Ley Cholito, these dogs are legally recognized and protected from harm. They are a normal, visible part of life in many Chilean cities and are generally well tolerated.

Frequently asked questions

Does Chile require quarantine for incoming pets?

Yes, but not in a state facility. SAG requires all incoming pets to complete a 10-day home confinement at the private address listed on their import paperwork. The pet must stay at that address and avoid contact with unknown animals throughout the confinement period. There are no facility costs, as the isolation takes place entirely at your own home.

What is the Ley Cholito, and does it apply to expats?

The Ley Cholito (Law 21.020) is Chile's Responsible Pet Ownership law. It applies to all dog and cat owners residing in Chile, including expats. The law requires that all pets be microchipped and registered in the National Pet Registry. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to CLP 2,088,000 (USD 2,250).

Do I need a special import permit to bring my dog or cat to Chile?

No special import permit is required for dogs, cats, or ferrets. You need either an Official Zoosanitary Certificate endorsed by your home country's veterinary authority, valid for 10 days from issuance, or an EU Pet Passport if you are traveling from an EU member state. Exotic animals, birds, and reptiles require a separate SAG import permit, which must be requested at least 3 months in advance.

My puppy is too young for a rabies vaccine. Can it still enter Chile?

Puppies and kittens under 60 days old that have not yet received a rabies vaccination may still enter Chile, but only if they have undergone a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titration Test (RNATT) showing a minimum result of 0.5 U.I./ml within 12 months prior to entry. This test must be properly documented on the health certificate.

Does my pet need a microchip to enter Chile?

A microchip is not the primary enforcement point at the SAG border inspection, which focuses on vaccination and health certificate documentation. However, a microchip is legally required to register your pet in Chile's National Pet Registry under the Ley Cholito, a mandatory step upon arrival. Microchipping before travel is the practical standard, and the chip must be implanted before any vaccinations are recorded.

Are any dog breeds banned from entering Chile?

Chile does not have a federal import ban on any specific breed. All dogs can enter, provided they meet SAG's health and documentation requirements. Once resident in Chile, however, owners of breeds classified as potentially dangerous, including Rottweilers, Pitbulls, and Dobermans, face stricter compliance requirements at the local municipality level. It is worth researching the specific rules of your destination municipality before you arrive.

How much does it cost to fly a pet on LATAM to Chile?

LATAM charges approximately USD 250 for in-cabin pet travel on international routes. For pets traveling as checked baggage in the hold, fees range from USD 150 to USD 300, depending on the pet's weight and the specific route. These figures are subject to change, so confirm current pricing directly with LATAM when booking.

Does an EU Pet Passport work for entry to Chile?

Yes. Chile accepts the EU Pet Passport in place of the Official Zoosanitary Certificate for pets arriving from EU member states. The passport must include a record of a clean clinical examination conducted within 10 days of the travel date. If this entry is not present, a separate health certificate will be required.