The relief requires at least 12 consecutive months of residence outside the EU before the move.
Personal property must have been owned and used for at least 6 months at your former residence.
Regulation 1186/2009 and Directive 2009/132/EC exempt qualifying personal property from duty and VAT.
Dogs and cats from Israel need a rabies antibody test of at least 0.5 IU/ml in an approved laboratory.
Because of the three-month wait after the blood sample, start the pet procedure at least four months ahead.
Moving to Romania with belongings and pets: the short answer
When you transfer your normal residence from Israel to Romania, your personal property can enter the EU free of import duty and VAT, under Council Regulation 1186/2009 and Directive 2009/132/EC, if you lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, used the items for at least 6 months, and import them within 12 months of settling. Dogs and cats from Israel need a microchip, a rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody (titre) test and an EU health certificate, so start at least four months ahead.
When a family decides to move, the villa is only half the project. The other half is a container, a car seat, a piano, and often a dog who has to fly too. Here are the two procedures that concern almost every family moving from Israel: the household goods and the pets. One note first: you need a legal right to live in Romania; see our guide to residence permits.
Household goods: the EU relief for a change of residence
Israel is outside the EU, so goods arriving in Romania from Israel go through customs. For someone moving their home, the EU provides a relief:
| Condition | What it means |
|---|---|
| Residence outside the EU | At least 12 consecutive months before the move |
| Use of the goods | Owned and used by you for at least 6 months at your former residence (for non-consumable goods) |
| Same purpose | The goods will be used for the same purpose in the new home |
| Deadline | Declared for free circulation within 12 months of establishing residence in Romania |
| Legal basis | Council Regulation (EC) 1186/2009 (customs duty) and Directive 2009/132/EC (VAT) |
Under the regulation, the goods can also be shipped in advance of your arrival, against a commitment to establish your residence within a set period, usually with a guarantee.
What the relief does not cover: alcoholic products, tobacco, commercial means of transport, and goods for professional use other than portable instruments of your trade. Goods released under the relief generally cannot be sold, lent or given away for 12 months without paying the duties.
What to prepare for customs
- A detailed inventory of the shipment, in English or Romanian, with an estimated value.
- Proof of residence in Israel for the past 12 months.
- Proof of your new residence in Romania: a residence permit or registration, a lease or a deed of sale.
- Your passport.
- For a car: registration and proof of ownership and use, for at least 6 months.
The Romanian Customs Authority handles the declaration. An international removals company usually prepares the file and the customs agent for you.
A car: think twice
A personal car can also enter under the relief if it meets the same conditions. But duty relief is only part of the story: the car must then be registered in Romania, meet EU technical requirements and pass an inspection. For many families, buying a car locally is simpler. Driving in Romania also requires the e-rovinietă road vignette, priced since 1 October 2026 according to the car's Euro emission class.
Pets: EU rules for dogs and cats from Israel
Israel is not on the EU list of countries exempt from the rabies antibody test, so dogs and cats moving from Israel follow the full procedure, according to the European Commission's rules:
Both are manageable if you start early.
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1. Microchip | An ISO-compatible microchip, implanted before or on the day of the rabies vaccination |
| 2. Rabies vaccine | Given when the animal is at least 12 weeks old |
| 3. Titre test | Blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination, tested in an EU-approved laboratory; result of at least 0.5 IU/ml |
| 4. Waiting period | At least 3 months between the blood sample and the issue of the health certificate |
| 5. Health certificate | EU animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian, valid 10 days from issue for entry |
| 6. Declaration | A written declaration that the movement is non-commercial |
Up to five animals may travel as a non-commercial movement. Start at least four months before the flight, and check the airline's own rules for animals in the cabin or the hold. The Israeli Veterinary Services publish guidance on preparing pets for travel abroad.
Once in Romania, register your dog with a vet, keep the EU pet passport up to date, and remember that with a villa and a garden, a secure fence matters as much as the living room.
A moving timeline that works
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 4–6 months before | Start the pet procedure; get quotes from removal companies |
| 3 months before | Titre test done; residence permit in process |
| 6–8 weeks before | Book the shipment; prepare the inventory |
| On arrival | Register your residence; customs clearance of the shipment |
| First weeks | Utilities, insurance and local tax in your name; see our handover checklist |
For the wider picture, schools, healthcare and taxes, see our article on relocation to Romania.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my furniture from Israel to Romania without paying customs?
Yes, under the EU relief for a transfer of residence, if you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, used the goods for at least 6 months, and import them within 12 months of settling in Romania.
Do I pay VAT on my household goods when moving to Romania?
No, if the conditions of the relief are met. Directive 2009/132/EC provides the VAT exemption alongside the customs duty relief of Regulation 1186/2009.
What does a dog from Israel need to enter Romania?
A microchip, a rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody titre test of at least 0.5 IU/ml in an approved laboratory, a three-month wait after the blood sample, and an EU animal health certificate.
How long before the move should I start preparing my pet?
At least four months, because of the three-month waiting period after the titre test.
Can I ship my belongings before I arrive in Romania?
In many cases, yes, against a commitment to establish your residence in Romania within a set period, often with a guarantee. Ask the customs agent about the exact conditions.
The bottom line
Moving from Israel to Romania is two parallel projects: the shipment, which can enter duty-free if you meet the conditions, and the pets, which need months of preparation. Both are manageable if you start early.
If you are planning a move to a villa north of Bucharest, book a 30-minute call with me. We will build a timeline that connects the handover date of the home with the shipment and the flight.
Moti Azulay, Compass Group Romania
Sources and data: Council Regulation (EC) 1186/2009, EUR-Lex · Council Directive 2009/132/EC, EUR-Lex · European Commission, bringing a pet into the EU · Your Europe, travelling with pets · Romanian Customs Authority · CNAIR, e-rovinietă.
This article is for general information only and is not legal or customs advice. Customs and veterinary rules change; check the current requirements with the authorities, your removal company and your vet before you move.
Now you know more.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult local professionals before any transaction.
