Needle-free vaccination reduces the risk of accidental transmission of infectious agents and induces higher antibody titers after vaccination compared with common needle vaccination. The aim of the study was to compare antibody titers and local responses at injection sites after needle-free and common needle vaccination in cattle using BTV8 vaccine. Thirty nonlactating, non-pregnant cows were assigned to 3 groups of 10 cows each and vaccinated twice in 4-week intervals in the left and right neck with an inactivated blue tongue 8 virus vaccine (BTV8, Bluevac8, CZ Veterinaria, Spain). The vaccine was either administered transcutaneously by AcuShot needle-free injector (battery-driven power cylinder technology; www.acushot.ca; group NF) or subcutaneously (sc) with needle (group N). Cows of the control (C) group received sc needle injections of sterile saline. Before and after vaccinations blood samples for determination of antibody titers (ELISA) were obtained weekly. Body temperature and signs of general condition were evaluated daily and skin thickness and pressure sensitivity at injection sites every other day until 4 weeks after second vaccination. Results were evaluated in a mixed model (fixed effects: group, time, random effect: cow) and contingency tables by Fisher’s exact test (SAS 9.3 statistical package). No sample was positive for BTV8 antibodies in group C. Twenty-eight d after first vaccination 5 cows revealed seroconversion after needle-free and 3 after needle vaccination. Four weeks after second vaccination all cows were seropositive for BTV8. Mean antibody titers were not significantly different between groups NF and N. While after first and second vaccination in average skin thickness doubled and skin was mildly pressure sensitive in group NF almost no changes in skin thickness and pressure sensitivity were detected at injection sites in group N (P < 0.05). Swelling and skin sensitivity disappeared completely within 4 weeks after vaccination. No cow presented fever or disturbed general condition. In conclusion needle-free vaccination induced seroconversion in all BTV8 vaccinated cows. Temporary local reactions at injection sites were mild but significantly more prominent after needle-free than after needle vaccination.