Newsroom
EU citizens aren’t the only ones with the right to move freely across the European Union. Under harmonized EU rules, cats, dogs and even ferrets can travel with their owners across member states.
The European Commission reminds travelers that pets need an up-to-date EU pet passport for summer trips within the bloc. The passport includes a description of the animal, its microchip or tattoo code, rabies vaccination record, and the contact details of the issuing veterinarian.
Rabies vaccination is the most important requirement. This rule also applies to pets arriving from outside the EU. Pets traveling to countries free of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (including Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland) must also be treated for the parasite.
EU pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to EU countries or Northern Ireland. Travelers with birds, reptiles, rodents or rabbits should check the national rules of the destination country.
For pets entering the EU from a non-EU country, owners must present an EU Animal Health Certificate. Like the pet passport, it includes information about the pet’s health, identity and rabies vaccination, and must be issued by an official veterinarian no more than 10 days before arrival. A written declaration stating the trip is non-commercial must be attached.
Owners may travel with up to five pets. Those traveling with more must prove the animals are taking part in a competition, exhibition or sporting event, and that they are at least six months old.
