Travelling with a dog: documents before departure

List the country of departure, destination, stopovers and return. Check every leg with the relevant official animal-health or consular authority: permission to enter one country does not automatically cover transit or re-entry.

The guidance below concerns private travel with an animal, without sale or transfer of ownership. Other movements may follow a different regime.

Microchip identification, rabies vaccination and their correct sequence are common requirements, but not universal ones. Depending on the journey, an antibody test, parasite treatment, permit or official health certificate may also be required.

Review dates well ahead of departure. Vaccines, tests and certificates can involve waiting periods; the destination authorities determine what applies and how long it remains valid.

For journeys governed by European Union rules, the European pet passport records the dog’s identification and health details. It must be issued and completed by an authorised veterinarian.

Travel between EU countries generally requires identification, a valid rabies vaccination and the passport. Certain European destinations add specific treatments. The passport is a regional document: it does not replace third-country requirements or every certificate that may be needed for the return journey.

Outside the EU, each country sets its own conditions. These may include an official health certificate, import permit, rabies antibody test, treatment, legalised documents or entry through an approved point.

Check the return before leaving. A stopover may change the requirements, and a certificate accepted outbound may not be sufficient for the journey home.

Airlines, rail operators and ferry companies set their own booking, carrier, weight, cabin and hold rules. These logistical conditions sit alongside health and border requirements; they never replace them.

Confirm directly with the carrier and keep the booking acceptance with the official documents.