With the arrival of summer and the increase in travel across Europe, the European Consumer Centre in Spain (ECC-Spain) reminds citizens that freedom of movement within the EU is not only a right enjoyed by people. Thanks to harmonised EU regulations, companion animals — specifically dogs, cats, and ferrets — may also travel across Member States under specific health and safety conditions.
The key element that allows a pet to accompany its owner during holidays within the EU is the European pet passport, issued by an authorised veterinarian. This document certifies the animal’s identity (via microchip or tattoo), records its mandatory vaccinations — particularly rabies — and includes the details of the veterinarian who issued the passport.
Additionally, if travelling to a country free of the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite (such as Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland), it is mandatory that the pet has been treated against this type of tapeworm as a preventive health measure.
Exceptions and Additional Considerations
Since 2021, pet passports issued to residents of Great Britain are no longer valid for entry with pets into the European Union or Northern Ireland. Moreover, the European pet passport is only valid for cats, dogs, and ferrets. For other species — such as birds, reptiles, rodents, or rabbits — travellers must consult the specific entry requirements of the destination country.
Travellers arriving in the EU from a third country must present an EU animal health certificate, issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin no more than ten days before the animal’s arrival. This certificate, similar in content to the pet passport, must be accompanied by a written declaration confirming that the pet's transport is non-commercial.
Rules Regarding Number of Pets and Travel Accompaniment
Each traveller may bring a maximum of five pets (dogs, cats, or ferrets). If this number is exceeded, it must be proven that the animals are participating in a competition, exhibition, or sporting event and are over six months of age. Finally, if the pet owner cannot travel with the animal, another person may be authorised in writing to accompany it. In all cases, the pet and its owner must be reunited within five days of the animal’s journey.
Source: European Commission