EUROPE PET TRAVEL HUB
Traveling to Europe with your dog
Bringing your dog to Europe takes some planning, but it's very doable.
Pet Passport Club is a pet travel concierge for US pet owners, and this hub brings together everything we've written about EU pet travel: the paperwork your dog needs, when to do each step, how to fly, and the rules that change by country. Start with the timeline below, or jump straight to the topic you need.
Traveling to Europe with a dog
Our full walkthrough for first-time EU travelers. Read this first, then dive into the topics below.
EU Pet Travel Timeline for Dogs
The order matters as much as the paperwork. Here's when to do each step.
Prefer a checklist? Check out our international pet travel checklist.
- 16+ weeks out
Check the microchip and rabies record
Your vet confirms the chip was scanned before each rabies vaccine.
- 221+ days out
Get the rabies vaccine if needed
Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old, then wait 21 days after a first vaccine.
- 3About 10 days out
Get the EU health certificate and USDA endorsement
A USDA-accredited vet completes it, then USDA endorses the original. Your dog must arrive within 10 days of endorsement.
How to get a pet health certificate → - 4Travel day
Enter the EU through a designated point of entry
Your first EU landing is your entry country, even on a connecting flight.
Flying with your dog internationally →
Want the exact timing for every step?The EU guide covers the details, from USDA endorsement to flying home.
Get the EU guide →EU pet passports and health certificates
What each document is, and when your dog needs it.
Flying your dog to Europe
Cabin travel, cargo shipping, and the airlines that make it easiest.
Pet entry rules by country in Europe
Every EU country asks for the same three basics. The main exception: dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland also need a tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before arrival.
THE COMPLETE EU GUIDE
Want every detail? Get the EU guide
Every step in order, with exact timing
Requirements for all 27 EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland
Leaving and re-entering the EU mid-trip
Island destinations and approved entry points
What your dog needs to fly home to the US
ESA and service animal rules in the EU
EU dog travel FAQ
Still have questions? Take a look at some of the ones we get most often, or visit our Help Center for more detailed information.
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No. US residents can't get an EU pet passport before leaving, since only authorized EU vets issue them. Your dog travels on a USDA-endorsed EU Animal Health Certificate instead.
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Your dog must arrive in the EU within 10 days of the USDA endorsement. After entry, it covers travel between EU countries for 4 months from the vet exam, or until the rabies vaccine expires, whichever comes first.
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Most owners spend $250 to $500 on the paperwork: the vet exam, the EU Animal Health Certificate, and the USDA endorsement. Flights are separate, and pet fees vary by airline and by whether your dog flies in the cabin or is shipped as cargo. See the full cost breakdown.
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Often, yes, but usually only in the cabin. Many airlines don't accept snub-nosed breeds like pugs, French bulldogs, and boxers as cargo, since they can struggle to breathe in heat and at altitude. If your dog fits the cabin size and weight limits, that's usually the way to go. Rules vary a lot by airline, so check before you book. Compare airline pet policies.
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Only once they're old enough. Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old to get the rabies vaccine, then wait 21 days before entering the EU. In practice, that means about 15 weeks old at the earliest.
Get Help Planning Your Dog's Euro-Trip
Rather have us handle it? However hands-on you want to be, there's a tier for it.
Get Help Planning Your Dog's Trip to Europe
Rather have us handle it? However hands-on you want to be, there's a tier for it.
Guided
Travel Prep
Independent planning with a clear roadmap and expert review. Starting from $150.
Co-Pilot
Concierge
Shared planning with hands-on guidance throughout the process. Starting from $700.
Full-Service
Concierge
Complete coordination of pet logistics and travel bookings. Starting from $2,500.