Every pet entering Germany from the EU needs a microchip implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination, per BMEL's own guidance — a vaccine given before the chip is in place doesn't reliably link to that animal and doesn't count toward meeting the entry rule, the same standard applied across the EU.

The rabies vaccination itself must be given at least 21 days before crossing into Germany, because that's how long it takes for immunity to develop, and a repeat vaccination given after a previous one has already expired counts as a fresh primary dose, restarting the 21-day clock.

Because Germany additionally won't admit or transit a puppy under 15 weeks old, the two rules combine into a hard floor: a puppy vaccinated at the earliest legal age of 12 weeks still can't cross the border until it turns 15 weeks. Planning backward from a booked trip, not forward from a vet appointment, is what catches most owners of a young puppy out.