Traveling Abroad with a Dog or Cat: Passport, Rabies Vaccination, and All the Paperwork
Planning a holiday or a move abroad and want to take your dog or cat with you? Traveling within the European Union is straightforward, as long as you take the right steps, in the right order and in good time. The most common mistake we see isn’t missing paperwork, but getting the rabies vaccination too late, which means the animal still isn’t allowed to travel.
In this guide, you’ll find exactly what’s required under current EU rules, what applies to countries with additional requirements such as Ireland and the United Kingdom, what you need to do before you leave if you’re traveling outside the EU, and a checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.
At a glance: traveling to an EU country
- Microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- European pet passport.
- Valid rabies vaccination. If it’s the first one, at least 21 days must have passed.
- For dogs traveling to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway and the United Kingdom: tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival.
Contents
THE EUROPEAN PET PASSPORT
It’s a small blue booklet, the same throughout the EU, that lists the microchip number, the animal’s and owner’s details, and vaccinations. It is issued by an authorized veterinarian.
In Greece, the passport is also the animal’s official identification document and is usually issued when the microchip is implanted. So you may already have one. Check three things, though:
- the microchip number in the passport is correct and the chip can be scanned,
- a rabies vaccination that is valid on the day of travel is recorded,
- your details (name, address) are up to date.
If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, see our guide to microchipping your dog and registering it in the National Pet Registry.
ORDER MATTERS: MICROCHIP, VACCINATION, 21 DAYS
- Microchip first. A rabies vaccination given before the microchip is implanted doesn’t count for travel.
- Rabies vaccination, when the animal is at least 12 weeks old.
- Wait 21 days after the first vaccination. Only then can the animal travel.
If booster vaccinations are given before the previous one expires, there’s no need to wait again. But if the vaccination has expired, even by one day, the next dose counts as a first vaccination and the 21-day waiting period starts over.
In practice, a puppy or kitten usually can’t travel to another EU country until it’s about 15 weeks old: 12 weeks for the vaccination, plus a 21-day wait.
Exemption for young puppies and kittens: some EU countries also allow animals under 12 weeks old to travel without a rabies vaccination, or animals aged 12–16 weeks that have been vaccinated but haven’t completed the 21-day waiting period. These countries are currently Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. The animal must be microchipped and have a passport, and must either be accompanied by a declaration from its owner stating that it has had no contact since birth with wild animals that could transmit rabies, or travel with its mother, provided she had a valid rabies vaccination before giving birth. Please note: Greece does not accept these animals, so a puppy traveling under this exemption cannot return until its rabies vaccination is valid. The list of countries changes, so check it before you travel on the European Commission website.
As of April 22, 2026, these rules are set out in Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on animal health and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, which replaced the previous Regulation 576/2013 while retaining the core requirements.
COUNTRIES WITH ADDITIONAL RULES
IRELAND, FINLAND, MALTA, NORWAY, NORTHERN IRELAND
Dogs must be treated by a veterinarian for the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, 24 to 120 hours (1–5 days) before arrival. The veterinarian records the treatment in the passport, including the date and time. Cats don’t need this treatment.
UNITED KINGDOM (ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES)
The United Kingdom accepts a European pet passport issued in an EU country, under the same conditions (microchip, rabies vaccination, 21 days). The same tapeworm treatment requirement applies to dogs, 24–120 hours before entry. For example, if your dog takes the tablet at 1 p.m. on Monday, it can enter the country from 1 p.m. on Tuesday until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE EU: THE ANTIBODY TEST BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Every non-EU country has its own entry rules, so check with the embassy of your destination country. But the most important thing to consider is returning to the EU.
If the country you’re visiting is not included in the lists (Annexes I and II) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636, your pet will need a rabies antibody titration test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, carried out by an approved laboratory, to re-enter the EU.
Our advice: have the test done in Greece before you leave. If the blood sample is taken before departure and the satisfactory result is recorded in the passport, there is no 3-month waiting period on your return. If the test is done abroad, 3 months must pass from the date of the blood sample before your pet can re-enter the EU.
- The blood sample is taken at least 30 days after the first vaccination, or at any time if your pet is already up to date with its vaccinations.
- The test doesn’t need to be repeated as long as rabies boosters are always given before the previous vaccination expires.
- Allow time for the laboratory to process the sample and provide the results. Start at least 2 months ahead.
You can travel within the EU with up to 5 animals for non-commercial purposes.
PLANE, FERRY, CAR
- Plane: each airline has its own rules. Small animals usually travel in the cabin in a carrier, with a weight limit that often includes the carrier. Larger animals travel in the cargo hold. Some airlines don’t accept brachycephalic breeds (e.g., French bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats) in the cargo hold. Book your pet’s place early, as there are only a few spaces per flight.
- Ferry: most ferries have designated areas or cabins for pets. Bring the passport, a leash and, if necessary, a muzzle.
- Car: use a crate or dog seat belt, bring water, and stop every 2–3 hours. Never leave your pet alone in a parked car.
Sedatives: don’t give your pet any medication for the journey without talking to your veterinarian. Some sedatives affect breathing and body temperature and are not recommended for air travel.
BEFORE-YOU-GO CHECKLIST
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1–2 months before | Check the passport and microchip. If the rabies vaccination isn’t valid, get one now to allow time for the 21-day waiting period. For travel outside the EU, have the antibody test done before departure. |
| 3–4 weeks before | Check the rules of your destination country and transport company. Book a place for your pet. |
| 1–5 days before | Echinococcus treatment if you’re traveling to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway or the United Kingdom. |
| On the day of travel | Original passport (not a photocopy), carrier, leash, water, food, waste bags and your pet’s medication. |
Vet Heroes can issue passports, administer rabies vaccinations, implant microchips, take blood samples for antibody tests and provide tapeworm treatment at your home, so you don’t have to move your pet shortly before a trip. We provide services in Greek, English and Russian. See our in-home veterinary services.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click a question to see the answer.
How far in advance should I start preparing?
For travel within the EU, if the rabies vaccination isn’t valid, start at least a month ahead to allow time for the 21-day waiting period. For travel outside the EU, start at least 2 months ahead so the antibody test can be done in Greece before departure.
Why should I have the antibody test done before I leave rather than abroad?
If the test was done in the EU before departure and is recorded in the passport, your pet can return without the 3-month waiting period. If you have it done abroad, you must wait 3 months from the date of the blood sample before returning to the EU.
Do I need a passport to take my dog to an island?
EU travel rules apply to travel between countries. Within Greece, the passport is your pet’s identification document, so it’s a good idea to keep it with you and make sure the vaccinations are up to date.
Can I travel with a puppy or kitten?
To another EU country, usually not until it’s about 15 weeks old: the rabies vaccination is given from 12 weeks of age, followed by a 21-day wait. Some countries (e.g., Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia) also accept younger animals with a declaration from the owner. Greece, however, does not accept them, so the animal cannot return until its rabies vaccination is valid.
Does my cat need tapeworm treatment for Ireland or England?
No. The required Echinococcus treatment applies only to dogs. Cats only need a microchip, passport and valid rabies vaccination.
Does the passport expire?
The passport itself doesn’t expire. The rabies vaccination does, so boosters need to be given on time. A new passport is issued when the vaccination pages are full.
Can I get a passport at home?
Yes. Vet Heroes can implant a microchip, administer a rabies vaccination, take a blood sample for the antibody test and issue a passport during a home visit.
IN SUMMARY
For travel within the EU, you need a microchip, passport and valid rabies vaccination, in the correct order, with a 21-day waiting period if it’s the first vaccination. Dogs traveling to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway and the United Kingdom also need tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before travel. If you’re traveling to a non-EU country that isn’t on the lists, have the antibody test done in Greece before you leave so you can return without a waiting period.
Want us to prepare the paperwork at your home? Book a visit with Vet Heroes or call us at 693 156 4363.
SOURCES
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases (Animal Health Law). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 on animal health requirements for the non-commercial movement of pet animals. eur-lex.europa.eu
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 on the lists of third countries and territories for the non-commercial movement of pet animals. eur-lex.europa.eu
- European Commission, Food Safety. Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country. food.ec.europa.eu
- European Commission, Food Safety. Young Animals (countries that accept young animals without full rabies vaccination coverage). food.ec.europa.eu
- Your Europe. Travelling with pets and other animals in the EU. europa.eu
- GOV.UK. Tapeworm treatment for dogs. gov.uk
