The EU has updated its rules for traveling with pets, which have been in effect since April 2026. The new requirements cover documentation, vaccinations, and even eligibility for a pet passport. Find out what documents you need to travel with a dog or cat to the EU and how to avoid problems at the border

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The European Union has tightened its rules for bringing pets into the EU, and these changes took effect on April 22, 2026. The new requirements concern health certificates, vaccinations, and rules for transporting dogs, cats, and ferrets. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what has changed, what documents are required, and how to prepare your pet for travel without risks.

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What new rules for entering the EU with pets did the EU introduce in 2026?

Starting in 2026, the EU has tightened controls on the movement of pets to reduce the risk of spreading rabies and other diseases. The main changes concern documents, restrictions, and access to the European pet passport.

Key updates:

1. An animal health certificate, issued by an official veterinarian no later than 10 days before entry, is now mandatory for every trip from third countries

2. The European pet passport is no longer available to short-term visitors—only EU residents can obtain it

3. If the animal is being transported by another person, written permission from the owner is required

4. The new rules apply equally to service animals

5. The limit remains: no more than 5 animals per person (exception: participation in exhibitions or competitions)

Requirements have been tightened separately for certain countries and situations. For example, additional laboratory tests may be required for travel from certain countries with a high risk of rabies.

Important! These rules apply both to entry into the EU and to the movement of animals between EU countries, so even domestic travel may require document checks.

In our previous article, we provided practical tips for traveling abroad with pets.

What documents are required to enter the EU with a dog or cat?

To cross the EU border with a pet, you must prepare a basic set of documents. Without them, the animal may be denied entry or sent to quarantine.

Essential documents:

1. Animal health certificate – issued by an official veterinarian no later than 10 days before travel

2. Rabies vaccination certificate – indicating the date of vaccination and the validity period

3. Proof of microchipping (ISO standard) – the chip number must match all documents

4. European Pet Passport – only if it has already been issued in an EU country

5. Written permission from the owner – if the animal is being transported by another person

Important! The health certificate has a limited validity period, so it must be obtained immediately before the trip, not in advance.

In some cases, additional documents may be required:

- FAVN test results (rabies antibody test)

- Proof of the purpose of the trip, if you are transporting more than 5 animals

Practical tip! Check the requirements of the specific country before your trip – general rules apply within the EU, but individual countries may have additional conditions.

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What are the requirements for vaccination, microchipping, and the number of animals?

For an animal to be allowed to enter the EU, it must meet basic veterinary requirements. The most important of these are the correct sequence of microchipping and vaccination, as well as compliance with restrictions on the number of animals.

Basic requirements:

1. Microchip (ISO standard). Microchipping is mandatory and must be done before the rabies vaccination or on the same day. If the microchip is implanted later, the vaccination is considered invalid

2. Rabies vaccination. The first vaccination is permitted only starting at 12 weeks of age. After vaccination, a 21-day waiting period is required before traveling

3. Vaccination validity. The vaccine must be valid at the time of travel. If the validity period has expired even by one day, a new vaccination must be administered and another 21-day waiting period observed

4. Limits on the number of animals. One person may transport up to 5 animals. If more, you must prove that this is not commercial transport (e.g., participation in an exhibition)

Important! Even if all documents are in order, the incorrect sequence (vaccination first, then microchipping) is one of the most common reasons for entry denial. Before your trip, check the dates on your documents—especially the interval after vaccination and the vaccine’s expiration date.

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Which EU countries have additional rules for transporting animals?

Some EU countries have additional veterinary requirements that must be considered before traveling. These are designed to prevent the spread of dangerous parasites and can result in entry denial even if all basic documents are present.

Most often, additional rules apply to dogs. For example, treatment against the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite is mandatory for entry into Ireland, Malta, Finland, and Norway. This must be performed by a veterinarian within a strictly defined timeframe—no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before entry. It is important that this procedure be officially documented; otherwise, the animal may not be allowed to cross the border.

Special attention should be paid to travel from countries with a high risk of rabies. In such cases, in addition to standard requirements, an additional test—the FAVN test—may be required to confirm sufficient antibody levels. This test can only be performed in EU-accredited laboratories.

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What should you consider before traveling with a pet to the EU?

To avoid problems at the border, you should start preparing for your trip with your pet well in advance. Most refusals are not due to missing documents, but to errors in dates or unmet requirements.

Here is a brief pre-travel checklist:

- The animal has an ISO-standard microchip, implanted prior to vaccination

- The rabies vaccination has been administered, and at least 21 days have passed since then

- The vaccine is valid at the time of travel

- An animal health certificate has been issued no later than 10 days before entry

- All data (microchip, vaccine, certificate) match

- It has been verified whether additional procedures are required (e.g., parasite treatment or FAVN test)

- If the animal is being transported by another person, there is written permission from the owner

Start preparing at least 3–4 weeks before the trip to allow time to correct any potential errors in the documents.

No matter how well thought-out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

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We remind you! Popular European tourist destinations are becoming increasingly crowded, so travelers are looking for alternatives without the crowds. In 2026, attention is turning to countries that remain off the beaten path but offer unique experiences, affordable prices, and an authentic atmosphere. Read more about 5 European countries that are rarely visited by tourists.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

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