Bringing your dog, cat or ferret into the EU — a traveller's guide
The European Union applies uniform animal health rules for the movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets, built to control rabies and echinococcosis (Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm affecting wild and domestic canidae). The overarching instrument is Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the "Animal Health Law") and its delegated/implementing acts. The specific regimes are split by purpose:
- Non-commercial movement (with the owner, not for sale/transfer): Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131.
- Commercial movement within the EU: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.
- Entry into the EU from outside: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.
This guide covers the non-commercial entry path most pet owners use.
Step 1 — Identification (microchip)
The pet must be identified by the implantation of a microchip. A clearly readable tattoo is accepted only if it was applied before 3 July 2011.
Step 2 — Rabies vaccination
The animal must be vaccinated against rabies by an official or authorised veterinarian. The period of validity starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol — so you cannot travel the day after the shot.
Step 3 — Rabies antibody titration (non-listed countries only)
If your pet comes from a non-listed third country, a rabies antibody titration test is required. The blood sample must be:
- collected by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, and
- taken not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the animal health certificate.
The test must measure neutralising antibody to rabies virus ≥ 0.5 IU/ml.
If you are travelling from an EU-listed country (Annex I or Annex II — see below), this titration test is not required.
Step 4 — Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
Pet dogs (not cats or ferrets) must be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis before entering any EU country listed in Annex XIX. The treatment must be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry.
Step 5 — Travel document
The animal must be accompanied by an animal health certificate (AHC) that is valid for 10 days from the date of issue. (Pets from EU-listed countries may instead use a pet passport or AHC under specific arrangements.) The maximum number of pet animals moved for non-commercial purposes is 5 in a single vehicle.
Which countries are "listed" (no titration test needed)?
Under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, pets from these territories/countries skip the rabies antibody titration test:
- Annex I (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636): Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City.
- Annex II (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636, selected): Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, United Kingdom (GB), New Zealand, Singapore, United States, Taiwan, and others.
Countries not on these lists remain non-listed third countries and are subject to the titration test in Step 3. Country lists and rules change — confirm the current list before you travel.
Sources
eu_pet_movement_rules— EU uniform rules under Regulation (EU) 2016/429; non-commercial regime Delegated Reg (EU) 2026/131; commercial Delegated Reg (EU) 2020/688; entry Delegated Reg (EU) 2020/692; diseases targeted rabies and echinococcosis.pet_travel_eu_entry_requirements— microchip (tattoo pre-3 July 2011 only); rabies vaccination validity ≥21 days; titration for non-listed countries (sample ≥30 days after primary vaccine, ≥90 days before AHC, ≥0.5 IU/ml); dog tapeworm treatment within 120h/24h before entry (Annex XIX); AHC valid 10 days; max 5 pets per vehicle.pet_travel_eu_listed_countries— Annex I and Annex II territories/countries exempt from the rabies antibody titration test under Delegated Reg (EU) 2026/131; non-listed third countries remain subject to titration.