Travelling with pets: rules to keep in mind
Your pet can join you when you go on holiday to another EU country, but there are certain rules to bear in mind. Read on to find out more.
Thanks to EU rules on travelling with pets, people are free to move with their dogs, cats or ferrets within and between all EU countries as well as Norway and Northern Ireland.
How can you cross borders with your pet
Make sure your pet has the following before you leave on holiday to another EU country or before coming to the EU:
- Identification via a registered microchip or a readable tattoo, if applied before 3 July 2011
- A pet passport proving that they have been vaccinated against rabies and are fit to travel
- Dogs travelling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland must be treated against the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm
These rules apply in case of a private journey which purpose is not to change the ownership of the pet or sell it.
Travelling with five or more pets
In general you can travel with a maximum of five animals. European pet passports are issued for dogs, cats and ferrets only. If you wish to travel with other pets, you should check the .