Bringing a pet into the 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 ferrets20 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Entry permitted: no quarantine when compliant
To meet the entry rules
- 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.
Full answer
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
- Rules allow in cabin
- 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
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | The pet is at least 12 weeks old when it receives its primary rabies vaccination. | at least 12 weeks before the rabies vaccination | Done less than 12 weeks before the rabies vaccination. |
| Microchip | The 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. Official source · EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/705/oj) | on or before the rabies vaccination | The chip does not meet the EU standard and the owner cannot provide a reader for it. |
| Rabies vaccination | The 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. Official source · EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)Official source · European Union (Your Europe portal, European Commission) | at least 21 days before departure | Done less than 21 days before departure. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | The 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 arrival | Done more than 10 days before arrival. |
| Tapeworm treatment | A 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 Malta Official source · European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)Official source · Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, consolidated 02020R0692-20260812 (Annex XXI: rabies antibody titration test; Echinococcus treatment for entry)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)Official source · Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620, consolidated 02021R0620-20260810 (Annex XIX: Echinococcus multilocularis disease-free Member States or zones)Official source · European Union (Your Europe portal, European Commission) | between 24 and 120 hours before arrival | Done less than 24 or more than 120 hours before arrival. |
| Requirement | From 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. |
| Requirement | A 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. |
| Note | A certificate on the old model (Annex IV to Regulation 577/2013) is accepted if it was issued before 1 October 2026 and the pet enters by 31 March 2027.Only: Listed third country (Annex II) Official source · European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/705/oj) | — | — |
| Note | An 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 | — | — |
| Requirement | The 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) Official source · European Commission (DG SANTE)Official source · EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)Official source · Publications Office of the EU (EUR-Lex consolidated text 02019R2122-20260422)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj) | — | Arriving through an airport or port that is not a designated travellers' point of entry, or leaving without reporting the pet for its checks. |
| Requirement | Arriving 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. |
| Note | For 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 | — | — |
| Note | Finland'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 | — | — |
| Note | If 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. Official source · European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)Official source · EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj) | — | — |
| Limit | At 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. Official source · European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)Official source · EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)Official source · Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)Official source · GOV.UK (Defra and APHA) | — | — |
Routes into the European Union
- Canada → European UnionDog · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Canada → European UnionCat · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → European UnionDog · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → European UnionCat · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → European UnionFerret · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Northern Ireland → European UnionDog · Another EU country, or Northern Ireland · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Northern Ireland → European UnionCat · Another EU country, or Northern Ireland · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Northern Ireland → European UnionFerret · Another EU country, or Northern Ireland · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- United States → European UnionDog · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- United States → European UnionCat · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- United States → European UnionFerret · Listed third country (Annex II) · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
Leaving the European Union with a pet
To Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the United States, Hawaii and Canada
No EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply.
- Destination entry documents do not establish compliance with the departure country's rules. Confirm national departure documents with that member state's veterinary authority before booking. This shared EU planner has not researched every national export procedure.
- 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).
Routes out of the European Union
Where every rule above came from
- EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/b7f35840-9c5a-11eb-b85c-01aa75ed71a1.0007.02/DOC_1The EU member states, for pets moving in from another member state or from outside the EU; Another EU country, or Northern Ireland; The pet enters the EU through a travellers' point of entry that the EU country has…; If the owner does not travel with the pet, a person the owner authorises in writing may…; and 2 more
- Publications Office of the EU (EUR-Lex consolidated text 02026R0636-20260619)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/7eed7bdb-74c8-11f1-bf5e-01aa75ed71a1.0006.02/DOC_1Listed third country (Annex II)
- Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/12bce2c0-297f-11f1-8803-01aa75ed71a1.0006.03/DOC_1From another EU country or Northern Ireland, the pet travels on an EU pet passport…; Health certificate issued or endorsed; A written declaration, signed by the owner or the authorised person, that the move is…; A certificate on the old model (Annex IV to Regulation 577/2013) is accepted if it was…; and 9 more
- Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/705/oj)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/f4cf39e7-2980-11f1-8803-01aa75ed71a1.0006.03/DOC_1Health certificate issued or endorsed; A written declaration, signed by the owner or the authorised person, that the move is…; A certificate on the old model (Annex IV to Regulation 577/2013) is accepted if it was…; Microchip
- EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/5f0d4d68-5ed8-11f1-aa6d-01aa75ed71a1.0007.02/DOC_1Microchip; Rabies vaccination; Birth
- EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/a8816aeb-b136-11f1-b9e5-01aa75ed71a1.0006.02/DOC_1Tapeworm treatment
- EU Publications Office (EUR-Lex consolidated text via CELLAR; 'documentation tool', no legal effect)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/4ee628c2-a635-11f1-b25c-01aa75ed71a1.0007.02/DOC_1Tapeworm treatment
- Publications Office of the EU (EUR-Lex consolidated text 02019R2122-20260422)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/2c1c3fba-4341-11f1-8095-01aa75ed71a1.0006.02/DOC_1The pet enters the EU through a travellers' point of entry that the EU country has…; A pet that fails the checks may be returned, quarantined until it complies, or, if…
- DAERA (Northern Ireland)daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-petsNorthern Ireland follows the EU pet travel scheme
- European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/listing-territories-and-non-eu-countries_enAnother EU country, or Northern Ireland; No rabies blood test is needed from a listed country such as the USA, Canada or Great…; No EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply
- European Commission (DG SANTE)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/faqs_enGreat Britain; An EU pet passport issued to a resident of Great Britain is not valid for travel from…; Birth; EU rules do not say whether a pet flies in the cabin, in the hold or as cargo; the…
- Canadian Food Inspection Agencyinspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/exports/pets/eu-non-commercialFerret travel from Canada has not been reviewed for this release
- European Union (Your Europe portal, European Commission)europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/pets-and-other-animals/index_en.htmFrom another EU country or Northern Ireland, the pet travels on an EU pet passport…; Rabies vaccination; Tapeworm treatment; A pet that fails the checks may be returned, quarantined until it complies, or, if…; No EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply
- European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/bringing-pet-eu-non-eu-country_enA certificate on the old model (Annex IV to Regulation 577/2013) is accepted if it was…; Health certificate issued or endorsed; Tapeworm treatment; If the owner does not travel with the pet, a person the owner authorises in writing may…; and 2 more
- GOV.UK (Defra and APHA)gov.uk/government/news/new-eu-rules-for-pet-travel-for-gb-residentsAn EU pet passport issued to a resident of Great Britain is not valid for travel from…; At most 5 dogs, cats or ferrets travel in one non-commercial movement, in one vehicle…
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland (pettravel.gov.ie)pettravel.gov.ie/pets/dogscatsferrets/outsideeuRabies vaccination; Tapeworm treatment; Arriving in Ireland, the owner gives advance notice and books a compliance check for…: what fails; Arriving in Ireland, the owner gives advance notice and books a compliance check for…; For Ireland, the pet travels with the original paperwork, stamped and signed in ink
- European Commission (DG SANTE)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/travellers-points-entry_enThe pet enters the EU through a travellers' point of entry that the EU country has…
- Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto)ruokavirasto.fi/en/themes/import-and-export/eu-countries-norway-and-switzerland/animals/dogs-cats-and-ferretsFinland's food authority treats a pet that travels alone as cargo, or with someone other…
- European Commission (DG SANTE, food.ec.europa.eu)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/eu-countries-specific-information_enDestination entry documents do not establish compliance with the departure country's rules; Leaving Spain for a country outside the EU, the owner meets that country's requirements
- Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (Spain)mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/desplazamiento-animales-compania/default.aspxLeaving Spain for a country outside the EU, the owner meets that country's requirements
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.