Moving Abroad With a Pet: EU Documents and Country-by-Country Requirements

For many families, the pet is the most stressful part of an international move: vaccination and microchip timelines can't be rushed, and paperwork done out of order can mean quarantine or an outright entry ban. The good news is that within the EU, the rules are fairly clear if you start early. Here's what you need to know.

The core document for the whole EU: the EU pet passport

Dogs, cats and ferrets crossing borders within the EU need three things, in this order: a microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard) implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination; a valid rabies vaccination, given after the microchip; and the EU pet passport, issued by an authorised vet, where everything is recorded. Your pet can travel starting 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination, never before.

What changes if origin or destination is outside the EU

If you're coming from a non-EU country, the pet passport doesn't work as your first document: you need an official Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a vet in the country of origin, usually valid for only 10 days from issue until entry into the EU (and then up to 4 months for onward movement within the EU). That short window is the most common reason moves get delayed: if the certificate expires before travel, the whole process has to be repeated.

Requirements that vary by destination country

• Tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment for dogs, required by countries like Finland, Ireland and Malta, given 24 to 120 hours before entry.
• Pet limits per person: as a general rule, up to 5 animals per traveller for non-commercial movement; beyond that, it's treated as commercial transport with a different procedure.
• Minimum age for puppies and kittens, usually tied to being able to complete the rabies vaccination schedule.

These requirements change over time, so always confirm them with the destination country's veterinary authority before setting your travel date.

How to move your pet depending on the mode of transport

Most families relocating by road within the EU take their pet in their own vehicle, in an approved carrier, with a pet seatbelt or a separation grille, and regular stops. If you need a specialised animal transport service, choose one with specific experience in animal welfare — it's a different kind of transport from your furniture and boxes.

Timeline checklist: when to start the paperwork

• 6-8 weeks out: confirm the microchip is registered and the rabies vaccine is current (or schedule a booster if it's due).
• 3-4 weeks out: book an appointment with an authorised vet for the pet passport or health certificate, depending on your case.
• 1-5 days out: tapeworm treatment if the destination country requires it.
• 10 days out (only if coming from outside the EU): issue the official health certificate.

Common mistakes that delay the move

• Giving the rabies vaccine before the microchip — if the order is wrong, the vaccine doesn't count and has to be repeated.
• Travelling before the 21 days since the primary vaccination have passed.
• Leaving the health certificate until the last moment and letting it expire before travel.
• Not checking the destination country's tapeworm requirement far enough in advance.

How Layner Group helps with the rest of the move

While you handle your pet's paperwork with your vet, Layner Group coordinates the rest of your move — packing, transport, customs — on the same timeline you need for the animal's documentation, and flags the deadlines running in parallel. Also check our week-by-week guide to organising an international move and the article on prohibited and restricted items in an international move to plan everything together.

Quick FAQ

Can I get an EU pet passport if my pet has never left the EU? Yes — if your pet already has a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination, the vet can issue the passport directly.

What happens if my pet hasn't had the tapeworm treatment? The destination country can deny entry or require treatment at the border, with the delay and cost that involves.

Does moving insurance cover my pet? No — CMR transport insurance covers goods, not live animals. Your pet's welfare and paperwork are handled separately, usually through your vet or a specialised carrier.

Want us to coordinate the rest of your move while you handle your pet's paperwork?