Travelling in Europe with your dog or cat

To cross a border within the European Union, your dog, cat or ferret needs a microchip, a pet passport and a rabies vaccine given in time. Enter your departure date: the tool checks what’s ready, and what’s left to do.

What you need to travel within the EU

• A microchip, or a legible tattoo done before 3 July 2011. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine, otherwise the vaccine doesn’t count.
• A rabies vaccine, given by an authorised vet, at 12 weeks or older. You must wait at least 21 days after the end of the primary vaccination, meaning the protocol set by the vaccine’s manufacturer, before travelling.
• The EU pet passport, issued by an authorised vet: it’s required to travel between EU countries.

Boosters must be given before the previous vaccine expires. Otherwise, the next vaccine counts as a first vaccination, and the 21-day wait applies again.

Tapeworm treatment for some countries

For a dog going to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland, a treatment against the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm is required between 24 and 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before travel, recorded in the passport. It isn’t needed for a dog travelling directly between those countries.

With a puppy or kitten

France doesn’t allow entry to a young animal not vaccinated against rabies, or vaccinated but not yet protected. So allow at least 12 weeks for the vaccine, plus 21 days after the end of the primary vaccination. A few EU countries accept young animals under conditions: check before you go.

Outside the European Union

To come back into the EU from most non-EU countries, your pet also needs a blood test measuring their rabies antibodies, and you must wait 3 months after that sample. Prepare it early with your vet.

Frequently asked questions

How many animals can I take?

Five at most, except for a competition, show or sporting event, with animals over 6 months old.

My dog was vaccinated 2 years ago: do I wait 21 days?

No, if all boosters were given on time. Check the validity date in their passport with your vet.

Sources

• Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, Annex III: a rabies vaccination is only valid from at least 21 days after completion of the primary vaccination protocol.
• European Commission, “Travelling with pets and other animals in the EU”, Your Europe, checked on 1 September 2026.
• DRAAF Centre-Val de Loire, “Gare à la rage” (in French), May 2026.

Meddor doesn’t replace your vet: this list covers the general EU rules. Rules can change: check them before every trip.