Planning a trip to Europe and want to bring your furry friend along? Traveling with your dog to Europe is possible, but it requires careful planning and adherence to specific regulations. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and safe journey for you and your canine companion.
The EU has established rules that facilitate travel with pets, including dogs, cats, and ferrets, between EU countries (which includes the 27 EU member states, Norway, and Northern Ireland). These rules also apply to travel from non-EU countries into the EU. However, these rules are specifically for non-commercial travel, meaning journeys that do not involve a change of ownership or sale of the pet.
To bring your dog to Europe, you’ll generally need to ensure they meet the following requirements:
- Microchip: Your dog must be microchipped with a chip that meets the technical requirements outlined in Annex II of the EU Regulation on pet movement. Alternatively, a clearly readable tattoo applied before July 3, 2011, is also acceptable.
- Rabies Vaccination: Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies.
- Rabies Antibody Titration Test (For Non-EU Countries): If you are traveling from a non-EU country, a rabies antibody titration test might be required. Check the specific requirements for the country you’re departing from.
- Tapeworm Treatment (Specific Destinations): If you’re traveling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland, your dog needs treatment against the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm.
- Pet Passport or Health Certificate: A valid European pet passport is required when traveling from an EU country or Northern Ireland to another EU country or Northern Ireland. An EU animal health certificate is necessary when traveling from a non-EU country.
Understanding the Required Travel Documents
When considering, “Can I Travel With My Dog To Europe?”, documentation is key. There are two main types of documents you’ll need to understand:
European Pet Passport
The European pet passport is a standardized document used for travel between EU countries. It’s only available to pet owners residing within the EU. The passport includes a detailed description of your pet, including their microchip or tattoo code, vaccination records (especially rabies), and your contact information, as well as the vet’s details who issued the passport. A pet passport is valid for your dog’s lifetime as long as their health information, especially rabies vaccinations, is kept up to date.
If you are traveling to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City State, your pet can also enter the EU with a pet passport issued in one of these countries or territories.
EU Animal Health Certificate
If you’re entering the EU from a non-EU country, your dog will need an EU animal health certificate. This certificate, issued by an official state vet in your dog’s country of departure no more than 10 days before arrival in the EU, includes information about your dog’s identity, health, and rabies vaccination history.
The certificate is valid for four months of travel between EU countries from the date of issue, or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first. You’ll also need to complete a written declaration stating that your dog’s relocation is for non-commercial purposes and attach it to the certificate. This declaration is also necessary if someone else is traveling with your dog on your behalf, provided your journey is within five days of the pet’s/authorized person’s journey.
Entering the EU with Your Dog
You can generally only enter the EU with your dog through a designated Travellers Point of Entry in your destination country. Authorities at the point of entry will check your dog’s paperwork and identification. If your dog doesn’t meet the requirements, they might be returned to the country of origin, quarantined until they comply with EU rules, or, in the worst-case scenario, euthanized.
What if My Dog is Traveling Without Me?
Generally, your dog should travel with you. However, if you can’t travel together, you can authorize someone else to accompany your dog, but only if your own trip is within five days of your dog’s travel. If your dog travels unaccompanied, they must comply with the animal health rules for importing dogs into the EU or trading them within the EU.
Traveling with Multiple Dogs
You can travel with up to five pets. If you’re bringing more than five dogs, cats, or ferrets, you must provide proof that they are participating in a competition, exhibition, or sporting event (such as a registration document) and that they are over six months old. If you don’t meet these exceptions, your pets must comply with the EU’s animal health rules for importing or trading dogs, cats, or ferrets.
Rabies Vaccinations: Key to Travel
A valid rabies vaccination is essential for travelling with your dog to Europe. The vaccination must be administered by an authorized vet after your dog is at least 12 weeks old and has been microchipped. Your dog can travel no sooner than 21 days after the vaccination is complete. Keep vaccinations current to ensure continued validity.
Exceptions for Young Puppies
Some countries, including Czechia, Denmark and Switzerland, have exceptions for young puppies (dogs, cats, or ferrets) that are under 12 weeks old and haven’t been vaccinated against rabies, or are between 12 and 16 weeks old, have been vaccinated, but aren’t yet fully immune. To travel under these exceptions, you’ll need a declaration stating that the puppy hasn’t had contact with wild animals prone to rabies from birth until travel, or the puppy must be accompanied by its mother, who has a valid rabies vaccination documented in her passport or health certificate.
However, it’s important to note that Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Northern Ireland do not permit the entry of young pets that have not been vaccinated against rabies or have been vaccinated but are not yet fully immune.
Special Tapeworm Treatment Rules for Dogs
If you’re planning to travel with your dog to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland, a mandatory tapeworm treatment against Echinococcus is required. This treatment must be administered between 24 and 120 hours before you travel. Be sure to have all the treatment details recorded in your dog’s passport or EU health certificate. The anti-Echinococcus treatment is not required for dogs traveling directly between Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland.
Entering the EU or Northern Ireland with Your Pet
You can only enter the EU with your pet through a designated travellers point of entry in the EU country of destination. At the time of entry, the competent authorities will check your pets documents and identity. If your pet fails these compliance checks, it may be returned to the country of departure, be placed in quarantine until such time as it is complies with EU health rules or if neither of these options are possible, the animal may be euthanised.
Rabies Antibody Titration Testing
For entry into the EU from certain non-EU countries, your pet must undergo a rabies antibody titration test. This test involves taking a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, and no less than three months before traveling to the EU. It must be performed in a designated laboratory. The test results must be attached to your pet’s EU health certificate.
Traveling with Pets Other Than Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets
European pet passports are exclusively for dogs, cats, and ferrets. If you plan to travel to an EU country with other types of pets, such as birds, ornamental aquatic animals, reptiles, rodents, or rabbits, you should consult the national rules of your destination country for specific entry requirements.
Navigating the Rules: Is it Worth it to Travel to Europe with My Dog?
Traveling with your dog to Europe requires careful preparation and understanding of the rules. The answer to “can I travel with my dog to Europe?” is yes, but with conditions. Make sure you meet all the necessary requirements for microchipping, vaccinations, and documentation. Plan your entry point, understand the rules for tapeworm treatment, and be aware of any exceptions based on your dog’s age or destination.
By understanding and adhering to these regulations, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Europe for both you and your canine companion. Always check the latest regulations before your trip, as they are subject to change. Consider contacting your vet and the relevant authorities in your destination country for the most up-to-date information and advice.
