European passport for pets, dogs and cats

The European pet passport is an identification document following a standard EU model and is required for travel between EU countries. The European pet passport (for dogs, cats and ferrets) is only issued to pet owners residing in the EU. It contains a description and details of your pet, such as its transponder code or tattoo, as well as its medical history (e.g. rabies vaccination) and contact details of the owner and the veterinarian who issued the passport. The European pet passport for your dog, cat or ferret can be issued by any authorised veterinarian (authorised by the competent authorities to issue pet passports). The pet passport is valid as long as the health information (e.g. rabies vaccination) is up to date.

Entering the EU with your pet

In principle, you can only enter the EU with your pet via one of the designated traveller entry points in the EU destination country (you can check whether this is a requirement in the non-EU country you are travelling from using the tool below). Upon entering the EU, the relevant authorities will check your pet's identity and documents. If your pet fails these verification checks, it may be returned to the country of departure, quarantined until it meets EU health standards, or, if neither of these options is possible, euthanized.

EU animal health certificate

The EU animal health certificate is another identification document containing specific information about your pet (identity, health status and rabies vaccinations) and is required for travel to the EU from a country or territory outside the EU. This certificate is also based on a standardised EU model.

If you are travelling from a country or territory outside the EU, your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin no later than ten days before the animal's arrival in the EU. The certificate is valid for travel between EU countries for four months from that date, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever is sooner.

In addition, you must complete and attach a written declaration to your pet's EU animal health certificate stating that the pet's transport is not for commercial reasons. This declaration is also required if your pet is travelling under the responsibility of a person authorised by you. In this case, you must travel within five days of the pet's journey together with the authorised person.

Pets traveling without their owner

As a rule, pets must travel with their owners, but if you cannot travel with your pet, you can give someone else written permission to do so for you (this written declaration is the one above). However, this is only allowed if you travel  within five days  of the pet's journey with the authorised person.

Traveling with more than five pets

You can travel with up to five pets (dogs, cats or ferrets), but if you want to travel with  more than five  you must prove that:

• participate in a competition, exhibition or sporting event (for example, by submitting a registration document),  and who
• are older than six months.

Traveling with other pets

The EU pet passport is only issued for dogs, cats and ferrets. If you are travelling to another EU country with other pets, such as birds, ornamental aquatic animals, reptiles, rodents or rabbits, please check the national regulations of the country you plan to visit for information on the conditions of admission.

Please check the detailed rules when travelling with your dog, cat or ferret:

EU rules for travelling with pets and other animals in the EU