Travelling with a pet

Bringing a dog, cat or ferret into another country? Choose where you are going and see the steps in the order you have to do them — microchip, rabies timing, permits, certificates — then what happens when you land and the official page each rule was read from.

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Where are you bringing your pet?

9 destinations, each with the steps in the order you have to do them. Your choice is kept on this device only.

European Union

All 27 EU member states, plus the Schengen non-EU states that follow the same pet rules

A microchip first, then rabies with 21 days' lead, then an animal health certificate that is valid for 10 days from the day it is issued.

Start with Microchip — 3 steps in all, in this order.

1
Microchip
The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
2
Rabies vaccination
The pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the primary vaccination, and the primary course must be completed at least 21 days before you travel.
3
Animal health certificate
An official vet in the country you are leaving issues it. It is valid for 10 days from the day it is issued, and the 10 days is extended by the length of the sea journey if you travel by ship.

When you arrive

The animal is checked at the first point of entry in the EU.

Where people trip up

Dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway also need tapeworm treatment.
An EU pet passport is for pets that habitually live in an EU country. It is not a substitute for the certificate when you fly in from outside the EU.
If your pet has only had one rabies vaccination, the 21 days runs from the completion of the primary course, not from the first injection.

Scope

These are the rules for entering the EU from a non-EU country. Travelling between EU countries, you need an EU pet passport instead.

Official source

“It must, in particular, be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the primary vaccination and have received a complete primary course of anti-rabies vaccination at least 21 days prior to the date of the movement. / the animal health certificate is valid: for 10 days from the date it is issued by the official veterinarian, for entry into the EU; for longer if you are travelling by sea, as the 10-day period is extended by the length of the sea journey.”

European Commission: dogs, cats and ferrets

https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/faqs_en

Checked 2026-10-23

Before you rely on this

This is a planning tool, not veterinary or legal advice. Rules change — the official page is always the right source, and it is the one linked above. If what you read here differs from that page, that page wins.