Traveling abroad with your pet will be easy if you prepare the necessary documents in advance and provide your furry friend with comfortable conditions. Here are the rules for traveling with pets to Europe and useful tips for transporting furry friends

Every year, traveling abroad with pets is becoming more and more popular. People do not want to leave their pets with relatives, friends or in special hotels, but prefer to travel together.

In most countries of the world, there are rules and requirements for travelers who enter with pets, European countries are no exception.

What is necessary for a trip to Europe with a pet? Let's talk further.

Which pets can you travel to Europe with?

Only dogs, cats and small rodents can accompany their owner during a trip to any of the European countries.

The maximum number of pets you can bring with you to Europe during your trip is five pets. You can transport a larger number of animals only on the condition that the purpose of your trip is to participate in competitions, exhibitions or sports events or to prepare for the aforementioned events. In this case, the age of the animal must be over 6 months.

Rules for traveling with pets to Europe

To enter Europe, a pet must have a number of vaccinations and supporting documents:

• Animal passport of the European model - an authorized veterinarian issues this document after checking the documents and the health of the animal. The document is filled out in English and is valid until the end of the animal's life.

• A chip or clear tattoo. A microchip is a small chip, 2x12 mm in size, which is inserted under the animal's skin. Basic information about the animal is stored on the chip: country of origin, breed, color, nickname, vaccinations, owner's name and contact number. The data of the chip must match the documents provided, be in the electronic database, and the bar code of the chip must be pasted into the veterinary passport.

• Rabies Vaccination – You must vaccinate your pet against rabies before traveling to Europe. With the first vaccination, the animal becomes fully protected from the disease 21 days after its administration. In the case of administration of booster doses - on the day of administration.

• A rabies antibody titer test is mandatory for pets entering the EU. A licensed veterinarian must perform the test at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination date. The rabies antibody titer test is submitted no later than three months before the animal is taken abroad.

• Treatment of Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) – this requirement applies only to dogs. You must ensure that your dog has been cured of the disease at least 1-5 days before arriving in one of the following countries: Finland, Republic of Ireland, Malta.

• Health certificate - after you have passed all the previous stages, you will need to get a certificate about the animal's health. You can issue the document at a certified veterinarian. The health certificate must contain the following information: alphanumeric code displayed on the chip or tattoo, details of rabies vaccination, details of blood draw and treatment for Echinococcus multilocularis. No more than 10 days should pass between the date of issuance of the certificate and the date of border control. A new certificate is required for each trip.

• Declaration letter – the owner or authorized person traveling with a pet fills out a document indicating the non-commercial nature of the trip.

Tips for comfortable travel with pets

To make your trip as comfortable as possible for you and your pet before departure:

Book a pet-friendly hotel. Many hotels in Europe strictly prohibit accommodation with pets. Others may charge you extra to accommodate your pet - it's always best to check in advance.

Check out nearby places to eat with pets. Again, many establishments in Europe do not allow pets in areas where food is served. Therefore, after you choose a hotel, check if there are any nearby places where you can eat with your pet.

Research local veterinary clinics. A change of residence can affect the pet's health. Therefore, it is best to know the local veterinarians and have their contact information in case you need help while in Europe.

Take a first aid kit for your pet with you. Like we said, you never know what could happen, so just in case, bring a pet first aid kit.

Choose a pet-friendly airline. As with hotels, some airlines may not have clear rules for transporting pets. Or there are others where the conditions for transporting pets are not very good. Make sure you choose the airline that offers the best deals for your pet.

Place the animal in a carrier bag before entering the airport. Crowds and noise can be a stressful environment for your pet.

Transportation of animals

After preparing the documents, take care of transporting the animals. For those who travel by train, bus or plane, it is better to purchase a special container that meets the standards of IATA (International Air Transport Association). Carrying bags are recommended for short trips or when traveling in public transport.

Choose all means of transport taking into account the size and weight of the animal.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Medical insurance all over the world;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues (to receive the service, select the country of interest and citizenship).

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