Taking a dog or cat to Europe? The slowest step now has a Seoul option from November: rabies antibody test from 2–3 weeks to about 10 days
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Key points
- From November, the rabies antibody titre test for Europe-bound pets is available at the quarantine agency's Seoul regional office in Gangseo-gu, not only in Gimcheon.
- Your vet requests the test through the rabies antibody test application system; handwritten forms are no longer needed.
- The agency expects the test time to drop from about 2–3 weeks to about 10 days.
In this guide
To take a dog or cat into the European Union, you need a rabies antibody titre test report from an internationally accredited laboratory. After the EU changed its rules in April this year, only one lab in Korea could do this test: the virology division of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang. Requests from across the country piled up there and waits grew longer. From November, the agency's Seoul regional office in Gangseo-gu also offers the test.
This guide is based on reports by Yonhap, News1, Newsis and CBS NoCut News of the agency's November 3 announcement. The shorter test time is the agency's own forecast, and this guide does not cover all EU entry conditions. Check vaccination timing and any country-specific rules with official sources.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| What changed | Testing also at the agency's Seoul regional office in Gangseo-gu from November |
| Accreditation | October 30, KOLAS international accredited lab (ISO/IEC 17025) |
| Until now | Only the Gimcheon lab after the EU rule change in April |
| Test time | About 2–3 weeks → about 10 days (agency forecast) |
| How to apply | Your vet requests it via the rabies antibody test application system |
What changed
On October 30, the agency's Seoul regional office was accredited by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) as an international accredited testing laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025) for rabies antibody titre testing. As a result, pets heading to Europe can be tested in Seoul from November.
The agency said it finished an accreditation process that usually takes over a year in six months. It also plans to support private labs with technical advice and training so they can gain accreditation, so the number of testing sites may grow.
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Why it took so long
The EU requires pets entering its territory to have a test at an internationally accredited lab confirming antibodies from the rabies vaccine, and to submit the test report. Previously, the Seoul office and private labs also ran this test.
When the EU revised the rules in April, tests for Europe-bound pets could only be done at the accredited Gimcheon lab. With requests from all over the country going to one place and samples travelling long distances, testing took about 2–3 weeks.
Who this affects
Anyone planning to travel to an EU country with a dog or cat. The change matters most for owners in the capital area who had to send samples all the way to Gimcheon.
This announcement concerns the test for EU entry conditions. If you are going to a non-EU European country such as the UK, check that country's own requirements.
How to apply
Owners do not go to the agency themselves. A veterinarian at an animal hospital takes the sample and requests the test. Vets used to fill in paper forms such as a sample collection record by hand; now they simply submit the request through the rabies antibody test application system.
The agency expects testing to take about 10 days thanks to shorter sample transport and simpler paperwork. This is a forecast, so leave extra time before your departure in case results take longer.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I get the rabies antibody test for Europe in Seoul?
Yes. From November, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency's Seoul regional office in Gangseo-gu offers it. It was accredited as an international testing lab on October 30.
How long does the rabies antibody test take?
The agency expects about 10 days. Until now it took about 2–3 weeks because all requests went to the single lab in Gimcheon.
Do owners apply to the agency directly?
No. A veterinarian at an animal hospital requests the test through the rabies antibody test application system. Ask your vet first.
Is it the same for the UK?
This announcement concerns the test for EU entry conditions. For non-EU countries such as the UK, check that country's official requirements.
Sources
- Yonhap News (Nov 3, 2026; on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announcement, in Korean)
- News1 (Nov 3, 2026; on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announcement, in Korean)
- Newsis (Nov 3, 2026; on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announcement, in Korean)
- CBS NoCut News (Nov 3, 2026; on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announcement, in Korean)
Checked on
This guide is Global TripX’s summary of the information published in the sources above. It is not a first-hand review, and rules and schedules can change, so check official guidance again before you travel.
TripX Verified: the date we matched the facts in this guide against the original sources below. Rules can change.
