Pet travel regulations

In the European Union (EU) many countries are rabies free and there is a tremendous effort to control and eradicate the disease. Therefore, companion animal travel has been subject to strict laws and regulations. This is meant to avoid spreading or re-introducing the disease. Basically these rules applying to the movement of dogs, cats and ferrets depend on the rabies epidemic situation in the country of origin. In the European Union the conditions for the non-commercial movement of pet animals have been harmonized under the conditions laid down in Regulation 998/2003. Countries with a favourable situation with regard to rabies and that have applied are listed in Part C of Annex II in Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.     

The European Parliament and Council have advised that numbers of dogs, cats and ferrets entering from one EU Member State into another will be limited to 5 per person as of 26th May 2010. If you want to ship/transport more than five pet animals regulations for commercial movements are applicable.  

The information on the movement of pets is derived from the relevant EU regulations and other regulations remain unconsidered. Please contact your embassy or the country of destination for the latest information.

Requirements for pet movement from EU Member States and approved/listed non-EU countries (Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003):

Entry into all Member States (also certain non EU countries: Andorra; Iceland; Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, The Vatican)

• IDENTIFICATION

The animal shall be identified by an electronic identification system (transponder) or by a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011, of which the alpha-numéric code corresponds to the one documented in the passport (a transponder is required for movements to the UK, Malta and Ireland) (Annex 1a to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003).

• DOCUMENTATION

For all movements, whatever the Member State of destination, the animal needs to be accompanied by a Passport complying with the model in the annex of Commission Decision 2003/803/EC.

• VACCINATION

Valid rabies vaccination (Annex 1b to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)

Additional requirements

for Finland, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom:

Dogs must be treated against the tapeworm Echinococcus in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011, as follows:

the treatment shall be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry; the treatment shall be certified by the administering veterinarian in the relevant section of the passport.

Member States may allow entry of young animals under 3 months old under certain conditions (to be defined by the competent national authorities)

Requirements for pet movement from non-listed third countries:

Entry into all Member States:

• IDENTIFICATION

The animal shall be identified by an electronic identification system (transponder) or by a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011, of which the alpha-numeric code corresponds to the one documented in the passport (a transponder is required for movements to the UK, Malta and Ireland) (Annex 1a to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003).

• DOCUMENTATION

For all movements, whatever the Member State of destination, the animal needs to be accompanied by a Passport complying with the model in the annex of Commission Decision 2003/803/EC.

• VACCINATION

Valid rabies vaccination (Annex 1b to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)

• SEROLOGICAL TEST (BLOOD TEST)

A blood sample taken at least 30 days after it was vaccinated and three months before movement need a positive result (titre >0.5 IU/ml) by an approved lab.

The test needs not to be renewed on a pet animal which has been revaccinated at regular intervals prescribed by the vaccine producing laboratory.

The three-month period shall not apply to the re-entry of a pet animal whose passport certifies that the test was carried out, with a positive result, before the animal left the territory of the Union.

Additional requirements

for Finland, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom:

Dogs must be treated against the tapeworm Echinococcus in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011, as follows:

the treatment shall be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry; the treatment shall be certified by the administering veterinarian in the relevant section of the passport.