Red Tape Travel

Bringing a pet into European Union

EU: The EU member states, for pets moving in from another member state or from outside the EU. Northern Ireland follows the same rules on its own page. Northern Ireland follows the EU pet travel scheme. See Northern Ireland.

Last verified Applies to dogs, cats and ferrets19 primary sources

Entry permitted: no quarantine when compliant

From another EU country or Northern Ireland, a pet travels on an EU pet passport. From a listed country such as the USA, a pet travels on an EU animal health certificate. Every pet needs a microchip, then a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before it travels. From outside the EU, the pet enters through a travellers' point of entry, where its documents and identity are checked. Dogs entering Finland, Ireland or Malta also need a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before entry. No more than 5 pets travel in one movement.

Quarantine
No quarantine when compliantno quarantine for a pet that meets the rules
Titer required
Not required
Cabin entry
Airline decidesEU rules do not say whether a pet flies in the cabin, in the hold or as cargo; the airline's rules decide. The pet travels with its owner, or with a person the owner has authorised.
Banned breeds
None in our sources

Requirements, in the order they must happen

StepRequirementTiming ruleFails if
BirthThe pet is at least 12 weeks old when it receives its primary rabies vaccination.at least 12 weeks before the rabies vaccinationDone less than 12 weeks before the rabies vaccination.
MicrochipThe pet is identified by a microchip before, or on the same day as, its rabies vaccination. A clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 also counts.on or before the rabies vaccinationThe chip does not meet the EU standard and the owner cannot provide a reader for it.
Rabies vaccinationThe pet has completed its primary course of rabies vaccination at least 21 days before it travels, or has had a booster while its previous vaccination was still valid.at least 21 days before departureDone less than 21 days before departure.
Health certificate issued or endorsedThe pet travels on the EU animal health certificate, issued or endorsed no more than 10 days before the checks at the point of entry.Only: Listed third country (Annex II)within 10 days before arrivalDone more than 10 days before arrival.
Tapeworm treatmentA dog entering Finland, Ireland or Malta from outside the EU is treated for tapeworm by a vet no more than 120 and no less than 24 hours before entry, and the vet records it on the animal health certificate.Dogs only; Only: Listed third country (Annex II); Only if arriving in Finland, Ireland or Maltabetween 24 and 120 hours before arrivalDone less than 24 or more than 120 hours before arrival.
RequirementFrom another EU country or Northern Ireland, the pet travels on an EU pet passport, signed by the owner and issued where the owner habitually lives.Only: Another EU country, or Northern Ireland—Travelling on a pet passport issued somewhere the owner does not habitually live.
RequirementA written declaration, signed by the owner or the authorised person, that the move is non-commercial (not for sale or a change of owner) is attached to the animal health certificate.Only: Listed third country (Annex II)—Arriving without the signed declaration attached to the certificate.
NoteA certificate on the old model (Annex IV to Regulation 577/2013) is still accepted if it was issued before 1 October 2026 and the pet enters by 31 March 2027.Only: Listed third country (Annex II)——
NoteAn EU pet passport issued to a resident of Great Britain is not valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU. The pet needs an animal health certificate for each entry.Only: Great Britain——
RequirementThe pet enters the EU through a travellers' point of entry that the EU country has designated. On arrival the owner reports to the authorities there, who check the documents and the pet's identity.Only: Listed third country (Annex II)—Arriving through an airport or port that is not a designated travellers' point of entry, or leaving without reporting the pet for its checks.
RequirementArriving in Ireland, the owner gives advance notice and books a compliance check for arrival, and enters through Cork, Dublin or Shannon airport, Dublin Port, the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy or Rosslare Europort.Only: Listed third country (Annex II); Only if arriving in Ireland—Arriving without a booked check, or leaving the airport or port before it.
NoteFor Ireland, the pet travels with the original paperwork, stamped and signed in ink. Photocopies and digital printouts are refused.Only: Listed third country (Annex II); Only if arriving in Ireland——
NoteFinland's food authority treats a pet that travels alone as cargo, or with someone other than its owner, as trade, which follows the rules for commercial moves.Only if arriving in Finland——
NoteIf the owner does not travel with the pet, a person the owner authorises in writing may, with the signed authorisation attached to the pet's document. The pet's journey must be within 5 days of the owner's own.——
LimitAt most 5 dogs, cats or ferrets travel in one non-commercial movement, in one vehicle unless it is public transport. More must follow the commercial rules, unless they are over 6 months old and going to a competition, exhibition or sporting event.——

Routes into European Union

Leaving European Union with a pet

To Great Britain, Northern Ireland, United States and Hawaii

No EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply.

  • Leaving Spain for a country outside the EU, the owner meets that country's requirements. Spain's agriculture ministry issues the certificates needed through its Agriculture Areas (Áreas de Agricultura).

Where every rule above came from

Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we re-check weekly and date every check, but the official page is the authority.