It's not just EU citizens who enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union. With the adoption of uniform EU rules for traveling with pets, cats, dogs and even ferrets can enjoy this right too. If you're travelling with your four-legged friend through the EU this summer, make sure your pet's EU Pet Passport is up to date.
An EU Pet Passport contains a description and details of your pet, including its microchip and tattoo code, its rabies vaccination record and the contact details of the veterinarian who issued the passport. EU Pet Passports for dogs, cats and ferrets are available from any licensed veterinarian. The most important requirement is that your pet's rabies vaccination is up to date. This also applies to pets travelling to the EU from non-EU countries. It is also important that your pet has been treated for the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis if travelling to countries where this worm is not present (e.g. Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland).
There are some exceptions to be aware of. From 2021 onwards, EU Pet Passports issued to UK residents are no longer valid for pet travel from the UK to any EU country or Northern Ireland. You should also 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 plan to visit for information on entry requirements.
If you're travelling with pets from a non-EU country to the EU, the document you must present is an “EU Animal Health Certificate”. Similar to an EU Pet Passport, the EU Animal Health Certificate contains details of your pet's health, identity and rabies vaccination. It must be obtained from an accredited veterinarian in your country no later than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU. You must also attach a written declaration to your pet's EU Animal Health Certificate stating that your pet's movement is for non-commercial purposes.
You can bring up to five pets, but if you have more than five pets (dogs, cats, ferrets), you'll need to prove that your pet is taking part in a competition, exhibition, or sporting event and is over six months old. Also, if you're not planning on traveling with your pet, you'll need to give another person written permission to travel with your pet, but you'll need to be reunited with your pet within five days of its movement.
More Information
Travelling with pets or other animals within the EU
Moving pets
National regulations for travelling with other pets
