Conditions
Specific animal health requirements on traveling with pet animals (dogs, cats or ferrets) within the EU are laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. This law regulates non-commercial pet travel which does not involve a transfer of ownership or sale.
For pet animals (dogs, cats, or ferrets) to be moved from one EU country to another EU country, the following conditions must be met:
The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must travel with its owner and under its owner’s direct responsibility.
The maximum number of pet animals (dogs, cats or ferrets) which may be moved for non-commercial purposes is 5 in a single vehicle.
Identification
The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must be identified by the implantation of a microchip (see technical specifications in Article 70a of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035, as amended).
Rabies vaccination
The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must be vaccinated against rabies by an official or an authorised veterinarian in accordance with Annex VII, Part 1 to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as amended, as follows:
- The animal was at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine was administered.
- The date of administration of the vaccine does not precede the date of identification or reading of the microchip.
- The period of validity of the vaccination starts not less than 21 days from the completion of the vaccination protocol for the primary vaccination, and any subsequent vaccination was carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination.
Treatment against tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis
Pet dogs (not pet cats or pet ferrets) must be treated against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entering:
- any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620, (Finland, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland).
- Norway.
In accordance with Annex VII, Part 2 (risk-mitigating measures for infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis) to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as amended, the treatment must:
- Consist of an approved veterinary medicinal product which contains the appropriate dose of praziquantel or pharmacologically active substances which alone or in combination has been proven to reduce the burden of mature and immature intestinal forms of Echinococcus multilocularis in the host species concerned.
- Be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry.
- Be certified by the administering veterinarian in the relevant section of the passport.
Passport and declaration
The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must be accompanied by:
- a passport (see model in Annex I, Part 1 to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705)
- completed and issued by an authorised veterinarian
- documenting the alpha-numeric code displayed by the microchip or the tattoo, the details of the vaccination against rabies, and where applicable, the details of the treatment against tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.
- a written declaration completed by the owner or an authorised person (see model in Annex V, Part 2 to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705) regarding the non-commercial nature of the movement.
Exceptions
Owner travelling with the pet animal
If the owner is unable to travel at the same time as the pet animal, an authorised person may transport it instead. The owner must travel either five days before or after the pet animal, and a written declaration attached to the passport must confirm this (see model in Annex V, Part 1 to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705).
Where the non-commercial movement of pet animals is not caused by the movement of the owner, or where the conditions for traveling with an authorised person are not met, the animals are to comply with the animal health conditions applicable to entry into the EU of such animals.
Number of pet animals moved
The maximum number for non-commercial movement may exceed 5 only if the following conditions are all satisfied:
- The movement is for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events (or in training for such events).
- Written evidence is provided that the animals are registered either to attend an event or with an organisation organising such events.
- The animals are more than six months old.
Where the maximum number exceeds 5 or the above listed conditions are not all met, dogs, cats or ferrets must comply with the animal health conditions applicable to movement within the EU of such animals.
Identification
Pet animals may travel between EU countries if identified by one of the following:
- a microchip inserted in accordance with Article 17 and Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 before 22 April 2026, or
- a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011.
Rabies vaccination
Certain EU countries authorise Intra-EU movement of young dogs, cats and ferrets which are:
- less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination
- are between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but 21 days have not elapsed since the completion of the vaccination protocol for the primary vaccination against rabies carried out in accordance with the validity requirements set out in Annex VII, Part 1 to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.
- In that case, the animals must be accompanied by either:
- a declaration of the owner (see model set out Annex V, Part 4 to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705) attached to the health certificate stating that from birth until the time of dispatch, the animals have had no contact with wild animals of species susceptible to rabies, or
- their mother whom they still depend on and from the passport of their mother it can be established that the mother received before their birth an anti-rabies vaccination which complied with the validity requirements set out in Annex VII, Part 1 to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.
More information can be found on “Young Animals”
Treatment against tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis
Dogs moving directly between any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620, (Finland, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) or Norway are exempted from the treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.
Passport
Pet animals may travel between EU countries if they are accompanied by a valid EU pet passport issued under one of the following models:
- Pet passports issued under older rules:
- Model established by Commission Decision 2003/803/EC and issued before 29 December 2014.
- Model set out in Annex III, Part 1 to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 and issued before 22 April 2026.
- Pet passports issued under transitional rules:
- Model in Annex III, Part 1 to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, issued before 1 January 2028.
- An animal health certificate valid for the duration of the journey.