Bringing a dog or cat to European Union
One set of rules for all 27 member states: microchip, rabies vaccine and a 21-day wait. Coming from a non-listed country adds a rabies blood test taken at least 90 days before the health certificate is issued, which is the main hurdle.
Which rules apply to you
European Union sorts arriving pets by where they travel from. Find your group, then follow its steps.
| Arriving from | Titer test | Wait after sample | Permit | Quarantine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From another EU member statePets moving between EU member states (also Northern Ireland and EEA/Schengen partners applying the same rules) with an EU pet passport. | No | — | No | Only if rules not met |
| From a listed non-EU countryCountries/territories listed in Annex I or II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (Montenegro and Serbia added to Annex II by Reg. 2026/1228). Includes pets returning to the EU from a listed country. | No | — | No | Only if rules not met |
| From a non-listed countryAll other non-EU countries (not in Annex I/II of Reg. 2026/636), including pets that transited a non-listed country in some cases. | Yes | 3 months | No | Only if rules not met |
Step by step
Microchip your pet
An ISO-compliant microchip must be implanted (or read) before the rabies vaccine. Tattoos applied before 3 July 2011 are still accepted if clearly readable.
Vaccinate against rabies
Pet must be at least 12 weeks old. Vaccine is valid from 21 days after the primary course; keep boosters up to date so there is no gap.
Get an EU pet passport
An authorised vet issues the passport recording microchip and vaccination. Passports issued under earlier models remain valid as stated by the Commission.
Treat dogs for tapeworm if needed
Before entering Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland, a vet must treat the dog with praziquantel 24-120 hours before entry and record it in the passport.
Check the destination's extra rules
Some member states ban certain dog breeds (e.g. Germany, Denmark, France) - see member-state notes.
Non-compliant pets may be returned, isolated under official control or, as a last resort, euthanised at owner's cost (decided by national authority).
Microchip, then vaccinate
Microchip first, then rabies vaccine at 12 weeks or older. Wait at least 21 days after the primary vaccination before entering.
Get an EU animal health certificate
An official/authorised vet issues the certificate (Implementing Reg. 2026/705 model) and the national authority endorses it. It must be used for the entry check within 10 days of issue (plus sea-journey time).
Sign the owner declaration
Attach a written declaration that the movement is non-commercial.
Treat dogs for tapeworm if needed
For Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland, praziquantel 24-120 hours before entry, certified on the certificate.
Enter at any border
Pets from Annex I countries need not use a designated travellers' point of entry. A valid pet passport from an Annex I country can replace the health certificate.
Non-compliant pets may be returned, isolated under official control or, as a last resort, euthanised (national authority decides).
Microchip, then vaccinate
Microchip first, then rabies vaccine at 12 weeks or older.
Do the rabies blood test
At least 30 days after vaccination a vet draws blood for a titre test at an EU-approved lab; result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Wait 90 days
The health certificate can only be issued 90 days or more after the blood sample date. Plan about 4 months in total.
Get the EU animal health certificate
Issued by an official vet, endorsed by the national authority, with the lab report attached. Valid 10 days until the entry check.
Treat dogs for tapeworm if needed
For Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland, praziquantel 24-120 hours before entry.
Enter via a travellers' point of entry
Arrive through a designated travellers' point of entry and present the pet to the authorities there.
Non-compliant pets may be returned, isolated (quarantine) under official control at owner's cost or, as a last resort, euthanised.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same as dogs, except cats need no tapeworm treatment.
- How many pets
- Max 5 dogs/cats/ferrets per vehicle (non-commercial). More only for competitions/shows/sporting events, pets over 6 months, with written proof of registration.
- Parasite treatment
- Dogs only: Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) treatment with praziquantel 24-120 h before entering Finland, Ireland, Malta or Northern Ireland (also Norway); not needed when moving directly between these. None for cats.
- Arrival
- Within the EU: no border checks for pets beyond spot checks. From non-listed countries: must enter via a designated travellers' point of entry. From Annex I listed countries: any point of entry.
- Pet must travel with its owner or an authorised person, with the owner travelling within 5 days before or after; otherwise commercial rules apply.
- New rules apply from 22 April 2026 (Delegated Reg. 2026/131, Implementing Regs. 2026/636 and 2026/705). New-model health certificates mandatory from 1 October 2026; older-model certificates issued before then are still accepted.
- Health certificate is valid for onward travel within the EU for 6 months after the entry check, or until the rabies vaccine expires, whichever is earlier.
- Young unvaccinated pets cannot enter the EU from non-EU countries; some member states accept them from other EU states (see notes).
- EU pet passports issued to residents of Great Britain are not valid for travel from GB to the EU.
Country-specific extras
- Bulgaria
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Croatia
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Czechia
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Denmark
- Bans keeping and importing 13 breeds and their crosses: Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian, Caucasian and South Russian Ovtcharka, Tornjak, Sarplaninac.
- Estonia
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Finland
- Dogs need tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment by a vet 24-120 h before entry, recorded in passport/certificate (not needed when coming directly from FI, IE, MT, Northern Ireland or Norway). Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- France
- Category 1 'attack' dogs (non-pedigree Staffordshire/AmStaff 'pit-bull', Mastiff 'boerbull' and Tosa types) may not be imported or introduced, even in transit. Pedigree-less dogs resembling these types should carry a vet attestation that they are not category 1.
- Germany
- Import ban (HundVerbrEinfG s.2) on Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and their crosses; also bans importing other breeds deemed dangerous by the federal state where the dog will be kept.
- Ireland
- Dogs need tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment by a vet 24-120 h before entry, recorded in passport/certificate (not needed when coming directly from FI, IE, MT, Northern Ireland or Norway). Importing XL Bully type dogs is prohibited since 1 Oct 2024 (narrow exception for returning former residents who owned the dog before that date).
- Lithuania
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Luxembourg
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Malta
- Dogs need tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment by a vet 24-120 h before entry, recorded in passport/certificate (not needed when coming directly from FI, IE, MT, Northern Ireland or Norway).
- Romania
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Slovakia
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
- Slovenia
- Accepts young unvaccinated pets (under 12 weeks, or 12-16 weeks vaccinated <21 days) from other EU states under Art. 9 of Reg. 2026/131 (per EC 'Young animals' page); owner declaration or mother's passport required.
What we could not confirm
- Exact list of Annex I vs Annex II listed countries in Reg. 2026/636 could not be read directly (EUR-Lex text not retrievable); token @EU_LISTED used.
- minAgeAtEntryWeeks 15 is derived (12 weeks + 21 days), not stated as such.
- Germany: an exemption for visitors staying up to 4 weeks is widely reported (HundVerbrEinfVO) but could not be confirmed on the official text.
- Denmark: whether tourists/transit with banned breeds have any exemption was not confirmed on an official Danish page.
- Many member states have national dangerous-dog rules (e.g. restrictions, muzzle/lead) not listed here; only confirmed import bans are noted.
- Ireland: German Embassy Dublin page says Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and Pit Bull Terrier 'may not enter' Ireland; Irish official sources treat these as restricted breeds (muzzle/lead) - import ban not confirmed.
- Malta and Ireland may require pre-notification/approved routes for pets; not confirmed on an official page in this research.
Sources
- EC: Non-commercial movement from non-EU countries
- EC: Non-commercial movement within the EU
- EC: Young animals
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (listed third countries)
- Germany: HundVerbrEinfG s.2
- France: Ministry of Agriculture - category 1 and 2 dogs
- France: service-public.fr - chiens de categorie
- Denmark banned breeds (secondary guide, citing Fodevarestyrelsen)
- gov.ie: Ban on XL Bully dogs
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with European Commission, DG SANTE (rules applied by each member state's veterinary authority) before booking.