Pet travel regulations

Certain areas within the European Union are regarded as rabies free and there is a tremendous effort in to control and eradicate the disease. Therefore, pet travel has been subject to strict laws and regulations. This is meant to avoid spreading or reintroducing the disease. Basically these rules applying to the movement of dogs, cats and ferrets depend on the rabies epidemic situation both in the country of origin and in the country of destination. The conditions for movement of pet animals have been harmonized under the conditions laid down in Regulation 998/2003. Until 2008 the UK, Ireland and Sweden, traditionally regarded as rabies-free, have stricter rules for pet travel. All regulations listed below are for non-commercial movement of pets.

Country of origin	Country of destination	Requirements for pet travel	Further information/links
EU and Andorra, Island, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican	EU and Andorra, Island, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican	European Pet Passport   Identification: electronic identification system (transponder ISO standard 11784 or 11785), or by a clearly readable tattoo   Valid rabies vaccination (WHO approved)	European Union:
Country listed (Annex II Part C)	EU	Valid rabies vaccination   Health certificate according to 2004/842/EG   tapeworm (echinococcus) treatment (Finland)	health certificate:
EU	Sweden, Norway	Pet passport   Identification: electronic identification system (transponder), or by a clearly readable tattoo   Valid rabies vaccination according to manufacturers instructions, within 365 days before travel, but more than 30 prior to your trip   Minimum age at vaccination: dogs 3 months, cats 12 month   Blood test of rabies neutralising antibody titre:   Blood sample is taken by your local vet    At least 120 days and at the latest 365 days after the last rabies vaccination   Test is done at EU-approved laboratories   Results should be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml. This blood test is unnecessary in case pets are imported from the UK or Ireland.   tapeworm (echinococcus) treatment   vaccination against leptospirosis and distemper (Norway) Inspection by the customs at the border (red zone) (Norway)	Sweden:
			Norway:
EU and other listed countries	UK, Ireland, Malta	EU pet passport or PETS certificate   Electronic identification (transponder, microchip)   Valid rabies vaccination: WHO approved   Blood test of rabies neutralising antibody titre:   Blood sample taken by your local vet at a time after vaccination  according to manufacturer advises   Test is done at  EU-approved laboratories   results should be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml   6 month quarantine after blood sample was taken   tick and tapeworm treatment   documentation: all treatments and vaccinations must be certified in the pet passport   must enter the UK using an approved transport company and route	UK:
			Ireland:
			Malta:
Czech Republic,  Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary,  Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia	Malta	additional quarantine for 30 days in Malta	Malta:
Other country (not listed)	EU	health certificate according to 2004/842/EG   Identification: electronic identification system (transponder), or by a clearly readable tattoo   Valid rabies vaccination: WHO approved, test of antibody titre > 0,5 IU in an approved  laboratory, blood sample taken min 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 month prior to visit   As to the return of pets after a brief stay abroad (e.g. for holidays), it is advisable to have the test done in time before the departure of the animal so that it satisfies all the requirements on its return. After the test, the animals must be given boosters at regular intervals prescribed by the vaccine producing laboratory. If the booster rules are not respected, the animal will have to be tested again after a new vaccination and the pet will again be considered to be in conformity with the rules only three months later.	health certificate:
Other Country (not listed)	UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta	6 month quarantine period according to national legislation	UK:
			Ireland:
			Malta:
			Sweden:

The information on the movement of pets is derived either from EU regulations or from official information supplied by embassies. Recent events can change these regulations on a short term. Other regulations remain unconsidered. Please contact your embassy for the latest regulations.