Moving to Greenland with Pets: Procedures and Practical Tips

Published on April 28, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to Greenland with your dog, cat, or other companion is absolutely not something to improvise. The country enforces some of the strictest rules in the world for importing animals, both to protect public health, preserve the Greenlandic dog — a true national treasure — and protect an already fragile Arctic environment. Between government permits, geographic restrictions, health requirements, and airline constraints, any expatriation project with an animal to Greenland requires several months of advance preparation.

Good to know:

This guide details the necessary steps, pitfalls to avoid, and daily life with a pet in Greenland. It is based on the territory’s official requirements and the policies of airlines operating there.

Understanding the logic behind the rules: why Greenland is so strict with animals

Before diving into forms and veterinary certificates, it helps to understand the context. Greenland imposes very tight controls on the arrival of live animals for several specific reasons.

Attention:

The Greenlandic dog, an ancient breed emblematic of the Inuit, benefits from strict legal protection to preserve its unique genetic lineage and millennia-old adaptations to the Arctic, by limiting the introduction of other dogs.

Furthermore, Greenland is an isolated island with limited veterinary infrastructure and a climate that complicates medical evacuations. Inadvertently introducing a contagious canine or feline disease would have disproportionate consequences. Hence the combination of mandatory vaccinations, antiparasitic treatments, microchipping, and document checks upon arrival.

Finally, the local lifestyle — small communities, harsh climate, complex access to care, and lack of roads between towns — makes managing sick or dangerous animals particularly difficult. For all these reasons, the country prefers to filter very early on rather than deal with crises afterward.

Legal framework: who decides what for animal entry into Greenland

For any expatriation project with an animal, one central principle must be remembered: no entry of a live animal is possible without approval from the Greenlandic authorities.

The reference authority is the Government of Greenland, which must give the green light for any import or export of animals. Specifically, it is the Representation of Greenland in Copenhagen that issues the import permit. But this national permit can only be issued if the Greenlandic municipality where you plan to live has already confirmed that it accepts your animal.

Attention:

To legally import an animal into Greenland, you must strictly follow this order: first obtain authorization from the host Greenlandic municipality, then the import permit from the Representation in Copenhagen. If non-compliant upon arrival, the animal risks quarantine (if available), return, or even euthanasia, with all costs borne by the owner.

All these steps must absolutely be completed in the animal’s country of origin, before departure. Nothing is done “on site” once in Greenland.

Where are dogs allowed? A highly fragmented map of the country

Greenland is not uniform on the issue of dogs. Some areas completely ban their import, others impose special rules, and others are more flexible. The gravest mistake an expatriate could make is to assume a dog accepted in one town will be accepted everywhere else.

Tip:

The Greenlandic authorities ban the import of dogs into the northern and eastern regions, designated as “sled dog districts.” This measure aims to preserve the genetic and health integrity of Greenland dogs, essential for hunting, fishing, and transportation on the sea ice. Only service dogs (such as police or assistance dogs) may exceptionally be admitted under a special waiver.

However, some southwestern areas allow companion dogs under well-defined rules. The municipalities explicitly listed as accepting companion dogs are Ivigtut, Maniitsoq, Nanortalik, Narsaq, Nuuk, Paamiut, and Qaqortoq. So these towns concentrate most expatriates living with a dog.

Good to know:

In municipalities that allow companion dogs, import is possible but conditional. All animals must be registered with the municipality upon settlement. In some limited areas, such as districts protecting the Greenlandic dog, stricter rules apply: a microchip and registration in a national database are mandatory.

This regulatory geography must be factored in from the planning stage. A position in eastern or northern Greenland is, in practice, incompatible with bringing a companion dog, except in very specific cases of authorized working dogs.

Banned dog breeds, at-risk crosses, and sterilization

Beyond geographic restrictions, Greenland applies bans on certain types of dogs and imposes specific obligations for females.

Dogs considered “dangerous” breeds or deemed very muscular, such as Pit Bulls or Boxers, cannot be imported. This ban aims to limit the risk of serious bites in isolated communities where access to human and veterinary care remains limited.

Good to know:

Female cats staying more than three months in Greenland must be sterilized before entry. Veterinary proof of this procedure is required in the application submitted to the authorities. For a long-term expatriation, it is advisable to plan this surgery several weeks or months in advance to ensure full recovery before the trip.

More broadly, the regulations aim to control uncontrolled reproduction, considering that not everywhere in Greenland has shelters or facilities capable of managing animal overpopulation.

Special status of cats: additional steps and municipal power

Contrary to what one might think, cats are not a “simpler” animal to import than dogs in Greenland. They have a specific legal framework, inherited from old Danish regulations.

Cat owners must apply for a derogation from a 1943 Danish decree, via the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. This step is added to the authorization request from the Greenlandic municipality of residence. The application file for a cat is therefore dual: one part falls under Danish regulations, the other under Greenland’s own rules.

The question of cat sterilization is not decided uniformly everywhere: municipalities decide on a case-by-case basis whether the animal must be sterilized or not. This decision occurs during the review of the application to keep the cat in the municipal area. Again, the logic is to prevent proliferation in a context where resources for managing abandoned animals are very limited.

Finally, as with dogs, all imported cats must be registered with the municipality where they reside.

Microchip and “pet passport” Greenland style

For Greenlandic authorities, a “pet passport” does not refer to a single official booklet like the European passport, but to a coherent set of documents that verify the animal’s identity and health status. The starting point of this file is the microchip.

Attention:

All dogs and cats entering Greenland must be identified by a microchip conforming to ISO standards 11784 or 11785 (15 digits). Implantation, ideally done by a veterinarian in the country of origin, must be accompanied by registration documents in a database. The unique chip number must appear on all required certificates for travel, to guarantee certain identification of the animal.

In the case of European Union countries, a European pet passport can be used as a support for vaccines and identification, but this does not exempt compliance with Greenland’s specific requirements. It is important to distinguish clearly: the “EU Pet Passport” remains valid for intra-Community travel, but the “passport” in the Greenlandic sense is a file consisting of the microchip, vaccinations, possible blood tests, the international health certificate, municipal authorization, and the import permit.

Mandatory vaccines and veterinary treatments before departure

Greenlandic authorities require a very precise vaccination schedule, especially for dogs. The goal is to block the most serious diseases, such as rabies, distemper, or parvovirus. Basic requirements are clear and must be planned in advance, as certain deadlines are non-negotiable.

Good to know:

For dogs and cats coming from rabies-free or controlled countries, vaccination is mandatory. It must be given at least 30 days before entry into Greenland. Boosters given before expiration do not require this waiting period to be renewed. Acceptable proof is a certificate, an official health record, or a European passport. An antibody test or exemption cannot replace the vaccine.

For dogs, two separate injections against distemper and parvovirus must be documented, given at least one year apart, and still valid upon arrival. Depending on the health situation in the country of origin, it is also recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza. Cats must be protected against feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus.

Good to know:

A titer test (FAVN, RFFIT) is recommended for international travel, but it complements the vaccine without replacing it. It is imperative to wait at least 30 days after a rabies injection before performing the test, as antibody rise is not immediate and an overly early sample could skew the interpretation of results.

Before travel, dogs and cats must also receive internal and external antiparasitic treatments — deworming, treatment against fleas, ticks, mites — administered by a veterinarian. These treatments must be clearly mentioned in the international health certificate.

The international health certificate: centerpiece of the file

At the heart of the “passport” required by Greenland is an international health certificate issued in the country of origin by an authorized veterinarian. This document, which must be drafted and signed within 14 days before import, serves several functions: it precisely describes the animal, records its vaccinations and treatments, and certifies its health status.

Good to know:

To be acceptable, the certificate must attest that the animal is fit for travel, free from signs of contagious disease, and for dogs, specifically free from sarcoptic mange and infestation by hair follicle mites. In many countries, this certificate must then be endorsed or stamped by the official veterinary authority (such as a national movement control service) to be valid for export.

From a practical standpoint, all of the following elements must appear on the certificate or in a clear appendix: owner identity, departure and destination addresses, animal description (species, breed, sex, color, age), microchip number, vaccination details (type, date, manufacturer, batch number, validity), antiparasitic treatments, any lab tests (blood tests), specific statements required by Greenland (absence of specific diseases). The absence of even one of these elements can be enough to block entry.

For puppies and kittens under three months not yet vaccinated, an exception exists: they may enter provided the mother was properly vaccinated against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus at the time of birth, and this is documented.

Import permit and municipal authorization: the double key to entry

Once the veterinary side is handled, the next step is obtaining the two essential administrative authorizations: the municipality’s and the import permit issued at the national level.

The standard procedure begins by contacting the municipality where you plan to settle — for example, Nuuk if you intend to live there. The municipality reviews your application: type of animal, conditions of keeping, possible sterilization requirement (especially for cats), compatibility with local dog regulations (authorized or prohibited areas). If it gives its approval, you receive a residence authorization certificate for the animal.

Good to know:

The import permit for an animal must be applied for in advance from the Representation of Greenland in Copenhagen. It is not issued on site. The file must include: proof of rabies vaccination, general vaccination certificate, a health certificate with owner declaration, municipal authorization, and for female dogs staying more than 3 months, proof of sterilization. This permit must accompany the animal during travel.

The table below summarizes the main documents expected in a typical file for a companion dog:

Without this complete puzzle, entry into Greenland remains theoretical.

Other animals: rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles…

The rules do not apply only to dogs and cats. Owners of rabbits, small rodents, fish, turtles, or birds must also comply with species-specific requirements.

Attention:

A permit from the Representation of Greenland and a health certificate dated within 14 days are required. The certificate must attest to the absence of myxomatosis within a 10 km radius of the place of origin and the animal’s good health over the previous three months. Upon arrival, home quarantine is mandatory. Import of more than four rabbits requires registration with the municipality.

For animals like guinea pigs, squirrels, hamsters, aquarium fish, turtles, or most birds (excluding parrots and CITES-protected species), the rule is more lenient when they travel with their owner: they may enter without a health certificate, but only if the animal physically accompanies the owner. However, if these animals arrive separately (unaccompanied), they must have a veterinary certificate dated within 14 days, and an import permit from the Greenlandic Representation is still required.

Attention:

For import, a veterinary certificate attesting to the absence of ornithosis and any contact with infected animals in the previous two months is mandatory. The owner must sign a written commitment to isolate the bird and accept that it remains in Greenland if a disease appears during quarantine.

Finally, for any species listed in the CITES Convention appendix (some reptiles, rare parrots, etc.), additional permits are mandatory to comply with international rules on trade in endangered species. Failing to plan for these risks confiscation at the border.

Traveling to Greenland with an animal: what airlines allow (and prohibit)

Once all authorizations and certificates are gathered, the animal still needs to get to Greenland. Here too, the constraints are tight, especially because the country is served by a limited number of airlines, including Air Greenland, which applies its own rules.

Animals arriving by plane in Greenland primarily use Nuuk International Airport. Air Greenland accepts dogs and cats, provided all certificates and permits are in order. No animal will be boarded if the documents required by Greenland are not presented.

Tip:

It is mandatory to contact Air Greenland well in advance to report the presence of an animal, ideally via a specific form before booking, since transport is not guaranteed on all flights. At check-in, you must present a “Certificate for transportation of animals,” a form that is recommended to download and prepare before travel.

Another important constraint: Air Greenland does not transport animals on its connections to and from Iceland and Canada. This limits transit options via those countries. Depending on your departure point, it may be necessary to combine other airlines, while respecting EU transit rules if passing through a European airport.

Good to know:

Transporting an animal with Air Greenland is charged as excess baggage. The total weight of the animal and its crate is not included in the standard baggage allowance (20 kg or 30 kg). Payment of this surcharge cannot be made online; it must be settled at the check-in counter on the day of departure.

Transport crate: dimensions, IATA standards, and comfort in Arctic conditions

Whether the animal travels in the cabin or cargo hold, it must be transported in a container compliant with International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules for live animals. The requirements are both technical and practical: they aim for the safety of the animal, as well as that of staff and other passengers.

In the cabin, Air Greenland only accepts dogs and cats. The container must be leak-proof (waterproof bottom) and not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm. The combined weight of animal and carrier cannot exceed 8 kg. The airline recommends using soft-sided carriers that slide easily under the seat. The animal must remain entirely inside, carrier closed, for the entire flight, without disturbing other passengers or emitting excessive odor.

Attention:

Animals must travel in an IATA-approved crate, with a maximum size of 102 x 69 x 76 cm. It must be sturdy, leak-proof, and prevent escapes or injuries, while providing enough space for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down. The floor must be covered with absorbent material (wood shavings allowed, straw and hay prohibited). Crates with simple wire mesh walls or the “show crate” folding type are forbidden.

IATA-approved crates generally feature metal nuts and bolts for sturdiness, attached food and water bowls, ventilation openings on at least two sides for domestic flights and four sides for international, an external label with the animal’s papers, and a non-toxic absorbent lining. In practice, the sturdier the crate, the safer the trip.

Attention:

For flat-faced dogs and cats, a larger transport crate than the minimum is often required to improve ventilation. Additionally, several airlines (such as Delta and American Airlines) prohibit their transport in cargo. Travel to Greenland with such an animal may therefore require partial ground transport or the use of specialized animal freight services.

Finally, on certain flights operated by Jettime for Air Greenland, the cargo hold temperature is maintained around 0–1 °C. For animals already adapted to the cold, this is generally not a problem, but it must be taken into account when preparing (well-insulated crate, dry bedding, no very young or fragile animals without veterinary advice).

Arrival in Nuuk: veterinary checks and scenarios in case of problems

Upon landing, the animal and its documents must be immediately available for inspection by the veterinary authorities. It is recommended to have notified these services of the arrival, so that an officer is present or can be mobilized quickly. The inspection has three purposes: verify the paperwork, confirm microchip identification, and observe the animal’s apparent health.

Good to know:

For healthy dogs and cats with a complete file (vaccines and certificates), Greenland does not impose quarantine. An arrival check is performed, and this procedure differs from that of some island countries.

However, if the documentation is incomplete, contradictory, or the animal appears sick, several options arise: imposition of additional veterinary exams at the importer’s expense, quarantine (if facilities exist locally), return of the animal to the country of departure, or, as a last resort, euthanasia. In all cases, the person importing the animal bears all costs, which can be substantial in an environment where specialized services are rare and expensive.

This risk justifies meticulous preparation, and explains why many families choose to use companies specialized in international animal transport, capable of verifying file compliance in advance and organizing suitable itineraries.

Housing with an animal in Nuuk: finding a truly pet-friendly home

For expatriates settling in Nuuk, the question of animal-friendly housing is far from trivial. The city offers a still limited selection of rentals, and not all landlords accept animals, especially since local regulations require registration of dogs and cats with the municipality.

Rental platforms in Nuuk accepting animals

Several platforms offer housing suitable for expatriates with pets in Nuuk, with dedicated filters and practical amenities.

Airbnb – Monthly stays

Offers monthly rentals in Nuuk with the “pets allowed” filter. Examples of well-rated properties: ‘Midtown Apartment’, ‘Arctic calm at the top of Nuuk’, ‘Isikkivik Apartment’.

Property features

Apartments or condos with ratings often above 4.8/5. Typical amenities: equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, sometimes free parking and sea or mountain views.

On Booking.com, you can find apartments and aparthotels, some explicitly advertised as accepting animals. The clearest example is “Nordbo in Centrum,” described as a “pet-friendly” apartment with free Wi-Fi. Other establishments may have some tolerance, but always check on a case-by-case basis by contacting the accommodation.

Example:

The table below provides a summary overview of some options cited in the sources for Nuuk, as an example.

Beyond platforms, the logistical reality in Greenland requires accounting for practical factors rarely highlighted in other countries: distance to walking trails, ability to walk the dog safely despite snow and ice, access to a waste disposal area, building policy on large dogs, etc. Listings rarely mention these points, so you must ask landlords or agencies directly.

Veterinary care in Greenland: limited supply, to be anticipated

Even though the country takes animal health seriously at entry, the availability of veterinary care in Greenland remains sparse, with wide disparities between urban areas and small localities. There is no network of veterinary hospitals comparable to what is found in Europe or North America.

Good to know:

Veterinary assistance options are very limited in many regions. In case of a serious problem, an animal can often only receive very basic care locally or must be repatriated to a country with specialized facilities, a situation similar to the human healthcare system, which uses telemedicine and evacuations to Nuuk or abroad for complex cases.

This constraint must be factored in from the decision to expatriate: an elderly animal, one suffering from chronic conditions, or one requiring regular complex interventions may not find appropriate care in Greenland. It may then be more sensible to arrange for care or adoption in the country of departure.

Tip:

Before departure, compile a complete medical file for your animal, including recent blood tests, imaging exams if necessary, and a precise list of ongoing treatments. These documents are essential to facilitate care by a local veterinarian in Greenland or a transit country. Also plan a sufficient reserve of essential medications, as access to pharmacies on site is limited.

Using an animal transport specialist: useful or unnecessary?

Given the complexity of procedures — combining Greenlandic rules, requirements from the country of origin, airline policies, and possible EU transit rules — many families turn to specialized companies in international pet relocation.

Good to know:

These companies, often members of IPATA, coordinate all stages of transport to Greenland: veterinary management, international health certificate, import permit, bookings (cargo/freight), and sometimes door-to-door service. They can provide specific expertise for this destination, including supplying compliant microchips, validating certificates with national veterinary authorities, and ensuring the transport crate meets IATA standards.

For a trip to a country as isolated and regulated as Greenland, this recourse is not a luxury. It reduces the risk of administrative errors and allows optimizing the itinerary, considering restrictions on certain routes (no animal transport on some Air Greenland flights, bans for brachycephalic breeds on Delta or American, maximum or minimum temperature thresholds for cargo transport, etc.).

The cost of these services is not negligible, but it must be weighed against the financial and emotional risk of having an animal rejected, placed in quarantine, or returned.

Daily life with an animal in Greenland: climate, culture, and safety

Once all steps are completed, the plane has landed in Nuuk, and the animal is registered with the municipality, another phase begins: adapting to daily Arctic life.

For dogs, especially medium to large ones, the cold climate can be an advantage rather than a handicap, provided they have suitable fur and good physical condition. However, prolonged periods of darkness in winter, icy surfaces, temperature variations, and the scarcity of urban parks require rethinking walking routines.

Attention:

Sled dogs are working animals, not pets. They are often kept in packs and should not be approached without the explicit permission of their owner.

Indoor cats generally adapt more easily, especially if they have sufficient stimulation and space in the home. The main difficulty remains access to specialized products (veterinary food, specific litters, medications), which can be rare or very expensive.

Good to know:

For rabbits, rodents, birds, and reptiles, winter presents thermal and logistical challenges. It is essential to maintain stable temperatures in their environment despite the cold, ensure a supply of appropriate food, and anticipate possible power outages.

Finally, the low density of emergency services — human and veterinary — requires having a backup plan: contact information for a remotely reachable veterinarian, insurance covering repatriation if necessary, and a well-stocked first aid kit for animals.

Conclusion: expatriation with a pet to Greenland — yes, but not lightly

Moving to Greenland with a pet is possible, but this project is far from trivial. It faces a layering of health, geographic, and administrative rules that reflect the fragility of the Arctic ecosystem, the cultural importance of sled dogs, and the country’s structural limitations in care.

Attention:

To successfully expatriate an animal, you must be willing to dedicate several months and be rigorous at every step: identification, vaccines, treatments, health certificate, authorizations, import permit, suitable airline reservation, approved crate, and arrival preparation. A single missing link can cause the entire plan to fail.

In return, those who take these precautions and ensure their animal is truly fit to live in such an environment can share a unique experience: living with their companion in one of the most spectacular territories on the planet, in the heart of a landscape where dogs, in particular, are an integral part of the country’s history and soul.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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