Mochi's Clinic

Traveling with a dog or cat in Europe: documents and requirements

You're planning a trip with your furry friend across Europe and need to have all your paperwork in order. Here's the official list to avoid any surprises.

This is general information: for any health concerns, consult your veterinarian.

Scope of Application

The official European Union regulations apply to non-commercial movements of pet animals.

The maximum number allowed is five pets, and these rules affect dogs, cats, and ferrets.

• Maximum of five pets
• Applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets
• Non-commercial movements

Mandatory Microchip Identification

Your pet must have a transponder or microchip implanted that complies with the technical requirements of Annex IV of the EU regulations.

A clearly legible tattoo is also accepted, provided it was applied before July 3, 2011.

Remember that the microchip must be implanted before administering the rabies vaccine.

• Microchip with EU technical requirements
• Legible tattoo only if it predates July 3, 2011
• Microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccine

Rabies Vaccination and 21-Day Waiting Period

The animal must be vaccinated against rabies. The minimum age for this vaccine is 12 weeks, which is three months.

There is an important waiting period you must observe. For primary vaccination, which is the first vaccine or if the previous one has expired, at least 21 days must pass from the inoculation before travel is permitted.

• Minimum age of 12 weeks for vaccination
• Mandatory 21-day wait for primary vaccination
• Applies if the previous vaccination had expired

European Pet Passport

This is the mandatory official document that must be issued by an authorized veterinarian.

This passport is necessary for travel between EU countries or from Northern Ireland.

It must include the sections for owner, animal description, marking, passport issuance, and rabies vaccination, all duly completed.

• Issued by an authorized veterinarian
• Mandatory in the EU and Northern Ireland
• Must include all sections completed

Tapeworm Treatment for Certain Countries

This requirement is exclusive to dogs and is not mandatory for cats or ferrets.

The destination countries where it is required are Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland.

The treatment must be administered between 24 and 120 hours, i.e., between 1 and 5 days, before arrival in the destination country. All details must be recorded in the passport.

• Exclusive to dogs
• Mandatory in Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland
• Administer between 1 and 5 days before arrival

Traveling to the UK from the European Union

If you are traveling from Spain or the EU to the United Kingdom, which includes England, Wales, and Scotland, there are no changes to the essential health requirements.

You can continue to travel with a European passport issued in the EU 27. Please note that passports issued in Great Britain are not valid.

A microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment administered between 1 and 5 days before travel are required.

On the other hand, animals coming from Great Britain entering the EU must do so through an authorized point of entry for travelers and be accompanied by an EU health certificate, in addition to microchip, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment if traveling to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta.

• EU 27 passport valid for entry into the UK
• Passports issued in Great Britain are not valid
• Entry into the EU from Great Britain requires a health certificate

«Woof, double-check the passport and my vaccinations before we get in the car or on the plane.»

View PetHub on Google Play