It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

Information about the process required to import pet birds into member countries of the European Union (EU) from Australia can be found by referring to the EU website.

There are national rules that may additionally apply to the movement of animals into individual EU member countries and you should check these.

Note

This means that additional health conditions for the member state of first entry point may need to be certified to by the Department.

The import and transit of animals into the EU is strictly regulated under EU legislation and enforced by the Department through Departmental officers in the regional office from where the animals are to be exported.​

Refer to these and the Department’s websites for current information about exporting animals (including any suspensions).

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.

Consignments of five or fewer pet birds are eligible for export from Australia to the EU. Pet birds are all species of birds (except poultry) which are accompanied by their owners, or by another person directly responsible for them on behalf of the owner during their movement and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner.

The following birds are NOT eligible for export from Australia to the EU:

• - Consignments of more than 5 pet birds.
  
• - Poultry. Poultry is defined as fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites (ratitae). Hatching eggs and day old chicks are included in this.
• - Wild caught birds.
  

It is the responsibility of the exporter to use the appropriate EU health certificate and ensure that this and any accompanying declarations are in English and the appropriate language of the EU member country of the border inspection post (BIP) where the animals will enter the EU.

There is a certificate for the movement of pet birds to the EU that must be used for all consignments of pet birds certified to on or after 1 October 2026. The model certificate is found in Annex IV of EU Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705.

There is a transitional measure provided for the old model certificate template set out in Regulation (EU) No 577/2013. For pet birds, the old model certificate remains valid as long as it was issued before 1 October 2026.

Certificate for movement of pet birds to the EU:

• Model health certificate – English – Pet Birds – March 2026​ (PDF 427​ KB)

The model health certificate contains notes and explanatory notes and these must be followed. A guidance document (PDF 194 KB | DOCX 40 KB) is available to assist with completion of the Model Health Certificate.

Australian Departmental officers will only endorse health certification for animals destined to the EU if it is written in English and, where required, an official language of the EU member country of the BIP where the animals will enter the EU.

Australian Departmental officers will not endorse health certification for animals destined to the EU if only presented in a language other than English.

Identification of birds

The model health certificate sets out requirements for bird identification in accordance with Article 22(2) and (2) of delegated regulation (EU) 2026/131, and sets out when containers must be sealed by the Department.​

Permission to move birds out of Australia

You may need permission under wildlife trade laws to move birds out of Australia. Refer to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s International wildlife trade requirements​. There is specific guidance for non-commercial wildlife trade for public exhibition, scientific research, conservation breeding and personal use.

Email

wildlifetrade@dcceew.gov.au

There are other requirements for the movement of pet birds set out in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 and 2026/705 and you should check this.

Transport requirements

The importing country may have specific transport requirements and you should check this.

A written declaration signed by the pet owner or authorised person must be attached to the animal health certificate confirming that the movements of the pet birds into the Union are non-commercial movements.

There are restrictions if pet birds are transported by an ‘authorised’ person and you should check this.

Pre and post arrival quarantine requirements

The option of isolation prior to export is described further in Regulation (EU) 2026/131. 

The option of isolation or quarantine post-movement is not available in some EU countries and you should check this.

A written declaration signed by the pet owner or authorised person must be attached to the animal health certificate indicating the pre- and post-movement arrangements made for the pet birds into the Union.

The importing country may have additional specific pre and post arrival quarantine requirements and you should check this.

Not all live animals are permitted to be imported into Australia. You should make yourself familiar with the Department's requirements for importing live animals. This is important as your animal may have been exposed to diseases that do not occur in Australia.

Based on importing country requirements sourced from European Commission website.

Entry last reviewed 24 April 2026.​​​