It’s not just EU citizens who enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union. Thanks to the adoption of harmonized EU rules for travelling with pets, cats, dogs and ferrets also enjoy this right. If you’re travelling with your four-legged friend to the EU this summer, just make sure their EU pet passport is up to date.
The EU pet passport contains a description and details of your pet, including the pet’s microchip or tattoo code, rabies vaccination record and the contact details of the veterinarian who issued the passport. You can obtain an EU pet passport for your dog, cat or ferret from any licensed veterinarian. The most important requirement, which also applies to pets travelling to the EU from non-EU countries, is that your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date. And if you are travelling to a country where the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is not present (e.g. Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland), it is important to ensure that your pet has been treated for this tapeworm.
There are some exceptions to note. From 2021, EU pet passports issued to UK residents will no longer be valid for travel with pets from the UK to EU countries or Northern Ireland. It is also important to remember that EU pet passports are only valid for cats, dogs and ferrets. If your pet is a bird, reptile, rodent or rabbit, you should check the national regulations of the country you are visiting to find out about entry requirements.
Travelling with your pet from an EU country to the UK
If you are travelling with your pet from a non-EU country to the EU, the document you must present is an ‘EU Animal Health Certificate’. Like the EU Pet Passport, the EU Animal Health Certificate contains details about your pet’s health, identity and rabies vaccination. It must be obtained from an official national veterinarian in the country within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the EU. You must also attach a written declaration that the pet is being transported for non-commercial reasons to your pet’s EU Animal Health Certificate.
How many pets can you travel with in Europe?
You can travel with up to 5 pets, but if you have more than 5 pets (dogs, cats or ferrets), you must provide proof that they are participating in a competition, exhibition or sporting event and are over 6 months old. If you do not plan to travel with your pet, you must give written permission to someone else to travel on your behalf. However, you must reunite your pet with them within 5 days of the pet being transferred.
For more information about travelling with dogs, cats or ferrets in countries or territories outside the EU (EU countries (27 EU countries + Norway and Northern Ireland)), check the latest rules on the official European Union information site or consult a qualified veterinarian.
