FenTiger

Was going to include this in the coronavirus thread but thought best post it elsewhere.
I have found a removal company which are also happy to transport our dog in a dedicated van but I'd rather fly over France, Germany and Austria to keep any social contact to a minimum. Unfortunately, for our dog it would be a more unpleasant experience because the pet transporter which flies out pets pick up the dog the day before the flight and there's no guarantee we will be able to collect him when we arrive. It could mean hanging around the airport until the next day.
Does anyone know what the pets/animals section of Budapest airport is like?

Jack_Russells4ever

I shipped 2 dogs into Budapest 3 years ago via Lufthansa Cargo and because the dogs came from outside the EU they had to go through customs and medical clearance and there was a lot of paper work that I had to present from the shipping Veterinarian such as proof of Rabies vaccinations, health certifications etc. That was 3 years ago but I doubt you will be happy because when the dogs arrive and you go through the entire process expect to be there at least 6 hours. You will most definitely need a fluent Hungarian speaker with you or you will not likely get through the process by yourself. It is a very frustrating process. Luckily the dogs were no worse the wear for the process and were happy to be back among familiar faces. Good Luck.

The animals will be at a cargo terminal away from the main terminal and it is not anywhere near the Passenger terminal. You will not be allowed to see the pets until they clear medical and customs or hang out at the cargo terminal over night if its the next day before you can collect them. I guess you could hang out at the passenger terminal but I think I would either get a room somewhere for the night or go to your new property and just return the next day.

Peter_in_Hungary

If the aim is to keep social contact to a minimum sitting on an aeroplane for a couple of hours plus with 150 other people all breathing the same recirculated air doesn't sound like keeping social contact to a minimum to me. You would probably meet less people travelling in the van/lorry and I would bet that they would all be keeping the required prescribed 'social distance' - which can't happen in an over grown aluminium cigar tube they call an aeroplane!

FenTiger

I asked a pet transporter this question (their response is in red):We have been trying to work out the best date to have our dog collected from our home and flown to Budapest. We both want to be at the destination when he arrives. How long will it take for our dog to get through being checked by the relevant authorities and then transported to our destination? It's likely we will fly out the same day we move out of our house so probably an early evening or late night flight so do you have any suggestions? Please note at the moment we have no flights for pets to Hungary due to the Covid-19 situation, when were you looking at travelling? I can contact the agent for timings when flights are back up and running again.

This is quite worrying for us! Hopefully, soon this will be sorted out. Worst case scenario would be for my wife to fly out in advance and I drive to Hungary with the dog!

FenTiger

Current situation is the same as my last post!

The buyers have booked their surveyor to survey our house this Friday. So subject to a satisfactory survey completion of contracts could be a month or two away! Sheesh!

Is there anyway I can check if my dog will be allowed to cross the French, German, Austrian and French borders?

wolfi

Is your dog chipped?
Does it have the usual vaccinations (Rabies etc)?
Does it have a passport where owner's address and vaccinations are documented by a vet?
Maybe it even needs a "health statement by a vet - not too old when arriving on the continent.
The Schengen frontiers are no problem - we usually just showed the dog's passport, they didn't even look at it. Of course theoretically they could/should read the chip ...
A bit OT:
I still remembert when I came to Hungary with my dog and it developed a health problem 10 years ago. A neighbour recommended a vet and the first thing he did was read the chip ...

FenTiger

Got everything apart from a medical check up on fitness to fly which we must get five days before the flight or road trip. An hour ago I received an email from a pet transporting company which specialise in transporting by road in air conditioned vans. If there are any overnight stays they stay in pet friendly hotels. So I'm feeling a little more cheery now. We had hit another problem which I'll post to the 'moving' thread.