Traveling With Young Pets Under 16 Weeks of Age to the European Union (EU)

Last Modified: March 27, 2024
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A kitten, puppy, and young ferret

Only a few EU countries allow pet dogs, cats, or ferrets that are less than 16 weeks old to enter their country coming from the United States. 

First, check the European Commission's website to determine which EU countries allow young pets. Look for "Yes" under the middle column in the table titled "Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013." If there is a "No" in that column, your pet cannot travel to that EU country until it meets all the requirements listed on the country page. Use the dropdown below to view the country requirements.

If there is a "Yes" in the middle column of the European Commissions's website, follow the steps below:

1. Microchip

  • Your young pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before it can travel to the EU. 
  • If your pet does not yet have a microchip or has a microchip that doesn’t work, ask your veterinarian to implant an ISO-compliant* microchip.
  • If your pet has a working microchip, but it is not ISO compliant,* you will need to travel with your own scanner that can read the microchip OR have a second microchip implanted that is ISO compliant.* Make sure both microchips are listed on the health certificate!

*ISO-compliant microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long and meet specific international standards (ISO 11784 and ISO 11785). You can check ISO-compliance with the microchip manufacturer.

2. Rabies Vaccination for Pets 12-16 Weeks Old

  • If your pet is 12 weeks or older, it must have its first rabies vaccination before traveling to the EU. 
  • Your veterinarian must scan your pet's microchip before giving its rabies vaccination.

3. Health Certificate

  • Choose the correct health certificate from the Health Certificate Options listed below based on your pet's travel plans, then have your Accredited Veterinarian complete and sign the EU health certificate.  
  • After the Accredited Veterinarian has completed and signed the Health Certificate, it needs to be endorsed by a USDA Endorsement Office within 10 days of your pet's arrival in the EU. 
  • Your local USDA Endorsement Office will be able to provide specific information about the process and fees associated with the endorsement of the EU Health Certificate. Learn more about costs to endorse your pet's health certificate.

Health Certificate Options

Important Information

  • Instructions for completing the Health Certificate (915.99 KB)
  • Complete and Sign the Declaration(s): The last page(s) of each EU Health Certificate document contains one or two Declaration(s), which must be completed and signed by the owner or designated person* before the pet travels to the EU. The Declaration(s) must accompany the pet and completed health certificate to the EU.
  • The pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. 
  • Bilingual Health Certificate
    • The following EU countries require that you use a bilingual version of the health certificate:  Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,  Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
    • If a bilingual health certificate is necessary, request it by emailing  LAIE@usda.gov. To help us get you the correct document quickly, include:
      1. Country of destination
      2. Whether the pet is traveling with its mother
      3. If the owner or designated person* is traveling on the same plane as the pet

Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet(s).

Important Information

  • Instructions for completing the Health Certificate (915.99 KB)
  • Complete and Sign the Declaration(s): The last page(s) of each EU Health Certificate document contains one or two Declaration(s), which must be completed and signed by the owner or designated person* before the pet travels to the EU. The Declaration(s) must accompany the pet and completed health certificate to the EU.
  • The pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. 
  • Bilingual Health Certificate
    • The following EU countries require that you use a bilingual version of the health certificate:  Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,  Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
    • If a bilingual health certificate is necessary, request it by emailing  LAIE@usda.gov. To help us get you the correct document quickly, include:
      1. Country of destination
      2. Whether the pet is traveling with its mother
      3. If the owner or designated person* is traveling on the same plane as the pet

*Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet(s).

Important Information

  • Instructions for completing the Health Certificate (915.99 KB)
  • Complete and Sign the Declaration(s): The last page(s) of each EU Health Certificate document contains one or two Declaration(s), which must be completed and signed by the owner or designated person* before the pet travels to the EU. The Declaration(s) must accompany the pet and completed health certificate to the EU.
  • The pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. 
  • Bilingual Health Certificate
    • The following EU countries require that you use a bilingual version of the health certificate:  Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,  Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
    • If a bilingual health certificate is necessary, request it by emailing  LAIE@usda.gov. To help us get you the correct document quickly, include:
      1. Country of destination
      2. Whether the pet is traveling with its mother
      3. If the owner or designated person* is traveling on the same plane as the pet