Rules for Importing Pets into the European Union

Importing pets into the European Union is strictly regulated under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013. All animals — dogs, cats, or ferrets — must have a veterinary document («pet passport») confirming compliance with EU health standards.

These rules apply to 27 EU countries, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and associated territories. The main goal is rabies prevention, which is why requirements are particularly strict for high-risk countries.

Non-compliance may result in entry refusal, fines, or quarantine.

This guide provides a step-by-step overview, covering key stages: microchipping, rabies vaccination, antibody testing, EU Pet Passport, and EU Animal Health Certificate.

Nuances of EU Legislation on Pet Importation

Pets include dogs, cats, and ferrets. Birds, reptiles, rodents, and rabbits fall under national regulations of individual EU countries, which can vary significantly. For instance, importing a parrot into Spain requires an INTRA-2 certificate, while importing turtles requires a CITES permit.

Purpose of Import and Restrictions

Rules differ based on the purpose of importation. Non-commercial importation involves a pet traveling with its owner or an authorized person within 5 days of the owner’s border crossing. The maximum number of animals per person is 5.

If more than 5 animals are imported, the owner must provide proof of participation in an exhibition, competition, or sporting event (e.g., an invitation or registration). This rule does not apply to animals under 6 months, as they are prohibited from such events. Commercial importation is considered trade and requires an animal health certificate for trade purposes.

Categories of Countries by Rabies Risk

When importing dogs, cats, or ferrets into the EU, a system based on the rabies status of the country of origin applies:

• First group: EU countries and equivalent territories (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar). These are considered rabies-free, requiring only a microchip, a valid vaccination, and an EU Pet Passport.
• Second group (listed countries): third countries with controlled rabies risks, including Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the UAE. Pets from these countries require a microchip, vaccination, and a standardized veterinary certificate, but no antibody test.
• Unlisted countries: all other countries, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey, and India, where rabies surveillance is deemed insufficient by the EU. In addition to a microchip and vaccination, a serological antibody test (threshold ≥ 0.5 IU/ml) in an EU-accredited laboratory is required. At least three months must pass between the blood sample collection and border crossing.

Age Restrictions

Vaccination against rabies is permitted from 12 weeks of age. Since a 21-day period is required for immunity development after the first vaccination, animals from listed countries can enter the EU from 15 weeks. For high-risk (unlisted) countries, the minimum age is 7 months due to the mandatory antibody test and a three-month waiting period before travel.

Microchipping and Pet Identification

Pet identification is primarily done via a microchip implanted under the skin. The microchip must comply with ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 standards and contain a unique 15-digit code.

How it works:

• Visit a veterinary clinic to have a microchip implanted, with its number recorded in the pet’s veterinary passport or health certificate.
• Ensure the chip’s information can be correctly scanned at the clinic.
• Vaccinate the pet against rabies after microchip implantation, as vaccinations administered before implantation are invalid for EU entry, requiring the procedure to be repeated. The process takes a few minutes, is mildly painful for the animal, and costs approximately €10—50.

Medical Requirements for Pets Entering the EU

The EU prioritizes rabies prevention, categorizing countries by rabies risk. Other requirements, such as parasite treatment, are often country-specific and not universally mandated across the EU.

Vaccination requirements:

• Only inactivated vaccines approved by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are accepted, e.g., Nobivac Rabies, Rabisin, or Defensor.
• Documents must specify whether the vaccination is primary or secondary. Primary vaccinations require a 21-day waiting period for immunity, while secondary vaccinations are effective immediately if administered within the validity period of the previous one.
• Vaccination details recorded in the veterinary passport or health certificate must include:
  • Date of administration.
  • Vaccine name and serial number.
  • Signature and stamp of an authorized veterinarian.
  • Microchip code (vaccination is invalid if the microchip was not implanted beforehand).

For animals from high-risk countries, a serological antibody test is mandatory. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination, with results showing an antibody titer ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. The test result, certified by an accredited laboratory, is recorded in the veterinary passport or health certificate, with the original certificate required at the border.

Additional treatments:

• Echinococcosis treatment: Mandatory for dogs entering Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, and the UK, administered 24–120 hours (1–5 days) before entry.
• Flea, tick, and worm treatment: Recommended but not mandatory for most EU countries, typically done 7–14 days before entry.
• Comprehensive vaccinations (e.g., DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats): Not required for entry but recommended for the animal’s health.

Pets with a valid EU Pet Passport only need to maintain up-to-date rabies vaccinations. Guide dogs and service animals are exempt from the antibody test but must be vaccinated.

Documents for Importing Pets into the EU

Documents reflect the pet’s health status and travel purpose. For non-commercial importation of dogs, cats, or ferrets, the following are required:

• Pet identification: microchip compliant with ISO 11784/11785 standards.
• EU pet passport: issued by veterinarians in EU countries or recognized territories (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland). Serves as a universal document for travel within the EU and return without additional certificates.
• EU animal health certificate: mandatory for pets from non-EU countries, issued in a standardized form by a state veterinarian in the country of origin.
• Serological test: Required for unlisted countries (e.g., Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey, India) to confirm rabies antibody levels.
• Non-commercial declaration: Confirms the pet is not for sale or transfer, required when importing up to 5 animals.

Transportation and Logistics

Pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) can enter the EU via various transport modes, primarily by air. Small animals (typically up to 8 kg, including the carrier) can travel in the cabin in soft carriers (standard size up to 55×40×23 cm, though specifics vary by airline). Larger animals travel in the cargo hold, except for guide dogs, which may travel in the cabin.

Notify the airline 24–72 hours in advance, pay a fee (€30—200), and provide veterinary documents (EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate). For sea travel, pets are transported in designated compartments or cabins, requiring prior notification. For other transport modes, a muzzle and leash are typically sufficient.