Pet passport requirements to travel with dogs and cats
Rules in force on the transport of pets across EU Member States:
Companion animals (except ferrets) must have a PASSPORT attesting to the requirements specified in the section Travel to other European Union Member States.
Moreover, you must report that they have had a clean rabies neutralising antibodies test:
- If your destination is the United Kingdom, such sample must be taken 30 days after the vaccination and 6 months prior to the flight.
- The electronic system is the only means of identification accepted in the United Kingdom (a tattoo is not valid).
Likewise, you must have your pet treated against parasites (tapeworms) between 1 and 5 days prior to its arrival to the United Kingdom. You have no obligation to treat your pet against fleas and ticks. VERY IMPORTANT: the passport must show the product used for deworming as well as the EXACT DATE AND TIME of administration to the animal.
People travelling on holiday or taking up permanent residence (or other non-commercial trips without sale or change of ownership) from/to Ireland from/to other EU Member State may carry their cat, dog or ferret with them provided that the following requirements are met:
- The pet must be identified with a microchip*(a transponder that is readable with a device compatible with standard ISO 11785):
- The animal must travel with its EU Pet passport, showing that it is currently immunised against rabies. In the cases where the dogs come from countries other than Finland, Malta or the United Kingdom, they must have been vaccinated against Echinococcus multilocularis (taenia) within a period of less than 120 h (5 days) and more than 24 hours (1 day) before the scheduled time of arrival.
- In those cases where the number of animals travelling exceeds 5, you must request a medical certificate to your veterinary stating that the animals have undergone a clinical examination 48 hours before departure, except in those cases where they travel to take part in a race or another competition.
All animals must travel with their PASSPORT showing that:
- They have been identified by tattoo (only valid if the animal was tattooed before July 2011) or an electronic identification system (microchip).
- They have been vaccinated or revaccinated against rabies.
In cases where the animal comes from a country other than the United Kingdom, Finland or Ireland, they must be vaccinated against Echinococcus Multilocularis (tapeworm) in the period between 120h (5 days) and 24 hours (1 day) prior to the scheduled arrival time. (only applicable for dogs)
In certain European countries (Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State) pets will be allowed to enter the country in accordance with the national rules as applicable (except the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Sweden).
From certain countries with favourable anti-rabies conditions (Ascension Island; United Arab Emirates; Antigua and Barbuda; Netherlands Antilles; Argentina; Australia; Aruba; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Barbados; Bahrain; Bermuda; Belarus; Canada; Chile; Fiji; Falkland Islands; Hong Kong; Croatia; Jamaica; Japan; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Cayman Islands; Montserrat; Mauritius; Mexico; Malaysia; New Caledonia; New Zealand; French Polynesia; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Russian Federation; Singapore; Saint Helena; Trinidad and Tobago; Taiwan; United States of America; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; British Virgin Islands; Vanuatu; Wallis and Futuna; Mayotte;) they will also be granted entry into European states (except the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Sweden) if they have a valid certificate as required by the applicable national rules.
For cases of entry from specific countries with unfavourable anti-rabies conditions not included in the previous point, animals will be granted entry to European states (except Sweden, the United Kingdom and Malta) provided that they have a valid certificate as required by the applicable national rules, stating that the animal has undergone anti-rabies vaccination or, as appropriate, a re-vaccination that is valid in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturing laboratory, with an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigen unit per dose (WHO rule), and that the animal has been subject to an evaluation of neutralising antibodies of 0.5 UI/ml, as a minimum, in a sample taken by an accredited veterinarian at least 30 days after the vaccination and 3 months before the journey.